Australia v New Zealand – Four Nations final
So, the final that many people had predicted is upon us.
The two stand-out teams from the Four Nations, Australia and New Zealand, are set to lock horns at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium at 9am on Saturday morning.
The sides met last week in what was billed as the dress rehearsal for this week’s final, where an under-strength Australia surprisingly ran out 34-20 winners over the Kiwi’s. But you probably shouldn't read much into that result as New Zealand seem to save their best for all major finals.
The Kiwis have made two changes to the side from last weekend, with Greg Eastwood and Bronson Harrison handed starts. Coach Stephen Kearney admitted they underperformed last weekend and will need to raise their game this time.
"As a group we were very disappointed with our performance against Australia last week," Kearney told BBC Sport.
"We prepared as well as we could for that Test but didn't reach the standards we expect of ourselves.
"We need to make significant improvements in all areas this week if we are to compete against a very good Australian team.”
One area where they did look threatening last weekend was whenever Benji Marshall got the ball in hand. Last week the Kiwi skipper made seven tackle-breaks and three line-breaks, plus two try assists - a repeat of that performance and a little more help from his teammates will no doubt give the Australian defence a lot more to think about.
As expected the holders have made whole-sale changes to the victorious side last weekend. Fullback Billy Slater, Willie Tonga, Luke Lewis and Kurt Gidley return after a week’s rest. The return of Lewis means Greg Birdonto moves to the bench, while Nate Myles comes in for Petero Civoniceva, who looks to have played his final international game at the age of 34.
The Suncorp Stadium hasn’t been kind to the Aussies, and their record of three wins from 21 matches doesn’t bode well for any Australian followers, but New Zealand have lost the last five matches between the sides.
It’s a tough one to call, but with Marshall in such top-form the nod just goes to the visitors.
Prediction – New Zealand by 1-10 points
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