Worthy underdogs for tomorrow night's transtasman test, former national coach Wayne Bennett says New Zealand will be an even more formidable outfit when the rugby league World Cup rolls around at the end of the year.
The Kiwis enter the contest as rank outsiders against a star-studded Australian lineup, but Bennett says they will not only put up a fight in Canberra, but will be a vastly improved outfit when they defend their World Cup crown in England.
Bennett said Australia's x-factor in the early-season tests had been the combinations formed from playing State of Origin every year.
"They can just go into camp and click into gear and be on the same page because they do it three times a year," said Bennett.
"You look at what [Kiwi coach] Stephen Kearney has to bring together in five days and it's not easy.
