Kangaroo juggernaut a tough test for Kiwis in rugby league world cup final
New Zealand face daunting task against free-scoring Australians
New Zealand realise they face the ultimate test in their bid to defend the Rugby League World Cup title when they take on the might of a free-scoring, defence-strong Australian team on Saturday.
The Kiwis pipped England 20-18 in their nail-biting semi-final at Wembley thanks to a last-minute converted try from Shaun Johnson, in what was undoubtedly one of the best games of rugby league for many a year.
There was no such drama for the Kangaroos, who scored 11 tries in a 64-0 dismantling of an underpowered Fiji in their semi-final.
To have 20 points scored against us, that wasn't our standard and we wanted to be a lot better than that
It was another remarkable result for the Australians, having now not conceded a try in four games since their opening 28-20 pool victory over England, who scored four tries of their own at the Millennium Stadium hit-out.
They are the first Australian team to keep a clean sheet of tries for four consecutive tests since the Max Krilich-captained side, scoring six straight from 1981-82.
Skipper Cameron Smith acknowledged that his team had been "embarrassed" by that performance in Cardiff and the focus in training had shifted to a more defence-orientated outlook to make sure it was not repeated.
"To have 20 points scored against us, that wasn't our standard and we wanted to be a lot better than that," Smith said.