By Greg Pearson
It will not just be on the rugby field where New Zealand and Australia go head to head tomorrow night, with the Kiwis and Kangaroos squaring off in Newcastle for some rugby league.
They might hold international league's important silverware, but the Kiwis are still a stranger to the title of favourites – not against a Kangaroos team they have only beaten twice in the last 16 matches.
Playing for the Kiwis, Benji Marshall says the respect has increased from where it use to be, “but we're not going to get carried away with winning a world cup and winning the 4 nations last year”.
“This is a completely different tournament, completely different sides and we've got to look at it that way. “They've still got great players in their team and it's going to be a tough game.”
Making it an even tougher test will be a young Kiwis line up boasting five uncapped players.
But what those lack in internationals, they make up for with recent NRL finals experience.
“The good thing about the young guys is they've all been in pretty good form and they won't shy away from their job for the team.
“I'll give them advice if they need it but they've all got good heads on their shoulders and can handle themselves pretty well.”
With four Warriors and premiership winner Keiran Foran in the starting 13, the Kiwis are in the unusual position of outnumbering the Australians for grand finalists.
“I suppose it's somewhere we haven't been for a long time where we've had players play right through the finals series, I think it's good for us but we're not going to shy away from how tough a game it's going to be.”
In two weeks the Kiwis start the defence of their four nations title against the Kangaroos, and coach Stephen Kearney admits it is hard not to look ahead.
“Whether it's ideal or not it doesn't really matter, we've got a test match tomorrow against Australia and that what's in front of us and we're going to deal with it.”
A win tomorrow can help set the Kiwis up for keeping one trophy in New Zealand hands.
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