Australia, New Zealand to play 100th anniversary test
Australia has won seven of the last eight test matches against New Zealand, including a whopping 58-0 victory seven months ago in Wellington. Overall, in 111 tests played, Australia has won 82 matches, lost 27 and there have been two draws.
New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney realizes the importance of not letting the match get out of hand like it did last year.
"It's a special occasion and we've pushed that point with the players all week," said Kearney. "There's a real sense of history. We want to start this campaign, a new era of Kiwi rugby league, and create a bit of history ourselves with a real committed performance."
Fans may think it's going to be a lopsided affair, with pre-sales of only about 10,000 tickets for the 36,000-capacity SCG. Rugby League International Federation president Colin Love, whose group will host the rugby league World Cup in Australia in October and November, is hoping for a good walkup crowd - and a closer match.
"I'm convinced last year's result was an aberration," Love said Thursday. "New Zealand are going to be a lot more competitive."
Australia coach Ricky Stuart has yet to lose to the Kiwis since taking over in 2006 and oversaw the 30-6 and 58-0 wins last year.
He said the state of the game was of little concern when the match starts.
"I don't care, I just want to win this game of football," Stuart said. "I don't care if it's 58-0 or 12-10, I'm not a promoter."
Kearney said his side is preparing to face Cooper Cronk after an injury scare to Australia halfback Johnathan Thurston on Thursday.
Thurston rolled his ankle during Australia's final training run and was undergoing scans to determine the extent of the injury. Cronk was rushed to Sydney to join the Australian camp as cover for Thurston.
"I'm not 100 percent certain of J.T. (Thurston) not playing any more but we have to prepare as if Cooper does play, so we have seen some clips of him," Kearney said. "It's certainly a shame for J.T."
The Australians have already been forced into making one change to their halves with skipper and five-eighth Darren Lockyer forced to withdraw earlier in the week with a knee injury.
Teams:
AUSTRALIA: Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Mark Gasnier, Justin Hodges, Israel Folau, Greg Bird, Johnathan Thurston, Brent Kite, Cameron Smith (captain), Petero Civoniceva, Paul Gallen, Ryan Hoffman, Michael Crocker. Interchange: Carl Webb, Anthony Tupou, Willie Mason, Kurt Gidley.
NEW ZEALAND: Brent Webb, Jason Nightingale, Setaimata Sa, Iosia Soliola, Sam Perrett, Ben Roberts, Thomas Leuluai, Roy Asotasi (captain), Issac Luke, Nathan Cayless, Sonny Bill Williams, Simon Mannering, David Fa'alogo. Interchange: Jeremy Smith, Dene Halatau, Adam Blair, Frank Pritchard.
Referee: Ashley Klein, England.
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