LONDON - Australia are set to use claims by New Zealand captain Benji Marshall that the Kiwis are tighter than their rivals as motivation for Saturday night's Four Nations clash at the Stoop.
As the 2008 World Cup final combatants prepared to name their teams for the second match of
the tournament, dubbed league's biggest in the nothern hemisphere for nine years, Australian coach Tim Sheens labelled his Wests Tigers protege presumptuous after he claimed NZ had a distinct edge in team unity.
"If we've got anything going that they don't, it's our bond as a team and how close we are as a family," five-eighth Marshall said in a video interview posted on the rugbyleague.com website.
"It definitely helps out on the field when you're playing for each other.
"When you play for your clubs in Australia, it doesn't feel like home. When we go into the New Zealand camp, we feel close and feel like brothers straight away. I know myself, you go back to the New Zealand camp, you feel comfortable and everyone is so welcoming."
It's understood Australian coach staff have asked management for the web address of the interview with Marshall so it can be shown to the players as part of their preparation for Sunday's (NZT) game.
Sheens said: "It might be real from the players' points of view but I think he is guilty of presuming a bit if he thinks the Australians aren't as tight as the New Zealand side.
"Many of these players have been in the Australian team for a while now. And a lot of that team spirit is Queensland team spirit. The core of the team, the likes of Billy Slater, Darren Lockyer, Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, the two centres - they've built that up over a number of years in Origin.
"I have made a point of it with my side, that this is a touring atmosphere and it is important. I would like to think by now, many of the players have forgotten what clubs they play for after spending time in the green and gold."
Sheens said interstate rivalry within the Australian team was also a thing of the past.
"There certainly isn't any of the animosity that was famous a long time ago, where the NSW and Queensland players didn't get on," he said.
"I've got to thank (predecessors) Wayne Bennett and Ricky Stuart for what they did regarding that. Sure, the Kiwis do tour well and I've mentioned that to the players but I would say we are just as tight as New Zealand or the English side.
"And having said that, it's not a race in that regard."
Officials are hoping for a crowd of around 10,000 for Sunday's clash with ticket sales among London-based expats reported to be solid.
England's Steve Ganson has been confirmed as referee while Kiwi Leon Williamson will control the England-France match at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium on Saturday.
Back rower Sean O'Laughlin has been ruled out of the England side with a cracked bone in a thumb. Hull winger Tom Briscoe is his replacement.
- NZPA
Benji Marshall said his side has the edge over the Kangaroos in terms of team spirit. Photo / Getty Images
LONDON - Australia are set to use claims by New Zealand captain Benji Marshall that the Kiwis are tighter than their rivals as motivation for Saturday night's Four Nations clash at the Stoop.
As the 2008 World Cup final combatants prepared to name their teams for the second match of
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.