Steve Deane: Selfless act will pump up Aussies

Petero Civoniceva. Photo / Getty Images

Petero Civoniceva's decision to fall on his sword this week is precisely what the Kiwis didn't need before tonight's Four Nations final.

As if an Australian side desperate to avoid a repeat of their World Cup humiliation at the same Suncorp Stadium venue needed any extra motivation ... but now they can throw "let's do it for Petero" into the mix.

Civoniceva is a hugely respected figure and his decision to effectively stand himself down for the final will add another couple of layers of gloss to his already sparkling reputation.

As selfless acts go it is right up there. There's nothing unusual about players and coaches getting together before a big game and discussing whether the player will be up to the task ahead. But most of those conversations involve the player pleading his case for selection and the coach pointing out shortcomings.

Telling Tim Sheens that he didn't think he was up to a final against the Kiwis was a remarkable thing for a player with 44 tests and 26 Origin matches under his belt to do. It shows how desperate the Kangaroos are to win tonight.

Yes, the 34-year-old Fijian is slower these days and would have been a target for the Kiwis' little men around the ruck. But all big forwards are targets for speedy dummy half runners. And all players have shortcomings.

Civoniceva could have gone through the motions and probably added another title to his extensive list of honours. Most players, you'd suspect, would have done exactly that. It says everything about Civoniceva that he didn't.

It also suggests the Kangaroos are fearful of another Kiwis upset. No stone has been left unturned. Every possible advantage has been squeezed. The Kangaroos are desperate, all right.

After last week's Eden Park horror show, so are the Kiwis.

Having blown away any notion they are favourites - or even equals - by getting blown away in Auckland, the Kiwis are back in their familiar underdog guise.

They are facing a supremely motivated Kangaroos side on Australian soil with an Australian referee controlling the match. If they can pull off a victory tonight it would rank with their greatest.

Will they do it? Probably not.

Can they do it? Certainly. That's why the Kangaroos are worried, and why Civoniceva stood down.