Peter Jessup: A rare breed - Kiwis with an edge on Kangaroos

There are significant differences between the Kiwis side named last night to play the formidable Aussies in the Anzac test at the enemy fortress of Suncorp Stadium next Friday night and many of those that have gone before it.

Every player of the 18 selected has good experience in their allotted jersey, all are in good form, none comes up from reserve grade and all have been part of Aussie-beating teams.

That last factor is a key.

There is no doubt that previous Kiwis sides suffered doubts about their ability to win simply because of the amazing strength of the Kangaroos sides they faced.

The green and golds are traditionally stacked with stars and their selection dramas revolve around who to leave out, while the Kiwis traditionally struggle to muster a quality XIII.

It is a plus there are no English-based players in this side. The game XVII will have the full week to prepare rather than getting players on a Tuesday afternoon straight from a 24-hour flight.

The side is balanced and experienced, with few changes from the World Cup-winning side.

The Kangaroos gameplan will change under their new coach Tim Sheens, who has expressed wariness in leading the national side into battle against opponents he regards with respect.

Tim Sheens has done most coaching jobs in Australian league - the

City, New South Wales and Super League test team - but this is his first time with the full Kangaroos side.

He has signalled his intention to pursue a Wests Tigers-style game using the ball.

Sheens has coached more Aussie premiership games (575) than anyone, almost evenly split (288 wins/276 and 11 draws).

He will tell his players to erase the memories of the World Cup loss.

"Playing for your country will be treated, under my watch, as the most important thing they do in their football career."

The Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney feels the same way and he is likely to call in Ruben Wiki and Stacey Jones as inspiration.

So they have a smart coach and an in-form team with the physical power and ability plus the mental toughness to compete against the Kangaroos, a taste for beating them and confidence they can do so.

It adds up to a cracker contest to decide the "world's best" league team, especially as the Australians still regard themselves as holding that title.