Graham Lowe: Kiwis need to win by 10 points

The biggest temptation for under-pressure Kiwis coach Brian McClennan this weekend will be to complicate the plan he has been hatching for months to give his side an historic victory over Australia in the Tri-Series final.

With two pretty ordinary Kiwi performances in the past two weeks preying on his mind, Bluey and his off-sider, Graeme Norton, will have been consumed this week with developing the strategy to topple the hot-favourite Aussies for the mantle of the best league side in the world.

In fact, I'd be worried if they weren't obsessing over it. But I'm hoping like hell they've put factors such as history, favouritism, recent form and international experience in the bin as they firm up their plan to break the 45-year drought in a series against the Green and Golds.

Because it's my view that simplicity is the key to success at Elland Rd on Sunday morning.

Their adversary in the final, Wayne Bennett, is himself a great believer in the simple approach, convinced that a good game plan can be written on the back of a postage stamp.

I've always been a believer in looking at things a little differently when you're confronted with a major challenge.

So McClennan and Norton would do well to reflect on the game plan Bennett might adopt if the roles were reversed and he was Kiwi coach this weekend. With that approach they would quickly identify what the Aussies would see as the strengths and weaknesses of this Kiwi side, and that may give them some vital clues as to how the opposition may play.

It's possible, in such pressure games, to give your own players too much information.

So I've come up with a 10-point plan for the Kiwis that I believe could be the key to victory on Sunday:

1. We need the little general. Get Stacey back from New Zealand in good time after the birth of his baby. I'm glad the Kiwis aren't buggering around sneaking him back into the country - the Poms didn't fall for that nonsense.

In fact this whole availability-non-availability business must have been a distraction for his team-mates throughout this series.

2. Give Ruben Wiki a full-day pass. We've seen enough to know that when the captain fantastic is off the pitch, so is the Kiwis' game. Let him have the full 80 minutes - he's committed and tough enough to do it, and he'll play again Monday if you want him to.

3. Smell the liniment of history. We haven't hooked a series against Australia since 1959 and there are dozens of gnarled old ex-Kiwis who don't want to head to their Carlaw Park in the sky without seeing it happen again. Let the liniment of 46 years of hard endeavour for these old guys generate a death-or-glory approach for the current side this weekend.

4. Kick for the seagulls. Australia's biggest danger is fullback Anthony Minichiello with his devastating kick returns. The Kiwis must kick deep and often and always to the empty spaces, to minimise the threat from the Aussie speedster.

5. Make friends with the touchies. Aussie will be expecting the Kiwis to play a very physical, bash-down-the-middle game. So, New Zealand should take the game wide at every opportunity, using the full width of the field to attack, particularly through our big, strong running wingers. And the touchies will love being on telly so much.

6. Control the spaces. When Australia have the ball, the Kiwis should be in their pockets, to close down their free-running backs. When the Kiwis are in possession they must be prepared to attack from deep.

This will force the Aussies into a sliding defence, and open up the opportunity to change angles in attack, and some of the Kiwis who usually run from flat might enjoy a little bit of fresh air in front of them for a change.

7. Be prepared if the proverbial hits the fan. Too often, a two-or-three try surge by the Aussies finishes a Kiwi side. They must have a regrouping call, which forces every player to dig deep and lift his effort. Victory against Australia will be only hard won. Every Kiwi must be prepared to put in a full 80 minutes. And if it really hits the fan with a good old-fashioned all-in, understand that the Aussies thrive on distracting the Kiwis with a blue while they go on to win the game.

8. Don't be surprised if you hear too much whistle. This Pommie referee looks like he will struggle to keep up. And if he's in oxygen debt, he's going to have a job blowing his instrument. It could be a licence for a very free-flowing (and perhaps free-for-all) test. The Kiwis should take a lesson from the All Blacks - zips on lips. They must also be disciplined enough to finish with a lower penalty count than the Aussies.

9. Show the Aussies the front row of the grandstand. On defence, the Kiwis must chase out at all times from first marker to take away from Australia the option of inside plays which they are so good at. Squeeze towards and over the sideline at every opportunity, and stop them turning the ball back inside.

10. Leave nothing in the tank. This is the ultimate league contest. No Kiwi should finish with anything left, even in the reserve tank. To the best of my knowledge no one has ever died from over-exertion in a league test.