KEY POINTS:
Australian prop Steve Price has downplayed predictions that the rugby league World Cup final will be a one-horse race, saying the Kiwis had shown a marked lift in form over the course of the tournament.
The Kangaroos head into the match here tomorrow night as hot favourites, having swept all before them over the past month.
But Price, 34, said he had been in football long enough to know that anything could happen on a given day.
"If we're a lay-down misere as everyone is saying, why would we be playing the game?
"There's going to be going to be 17 absolutely desperate guys in black and white and 17 in green and gold."
Australia beat New Zealand 30-6 in their first round match, but Price said the Kiwis had shown "unbelievable improvement" since then.
One reason was the switch of his New Zealand Warriors teammate Nathan Fien from hooker to halfback in a swap with Wigan utility Thomas Leuluai.
"Nathan has really changed the whole team dynamic and Thomas has done a good job out of hooker, as well as Issac Luke off the bench," Price said.
"They're a completely different team to what we played in the first game. The direction they have now is a lot better. They know what they're doing and what they want to do."
Price is one of seven New Zealand Warriors in the final, the equal highest club contingent along with Melbourne.
The Warriors had headed the count with eight until the withdrawal of Australian winger Brent Tate yesterday because of a hip injury .
Price said having six clubmates on the opposing 17 did not affect his approach to the game.
He had been in similar situations in the past, including at his previous club, the Bulldogs.
"You know a lot about them and they know a lot about you, but it doesn't change anything," he said.
"You're doing the best for the team you're representing."
Meanwhile, Fien said the presence of Price in the opposition ranks meant the Kiwis would have to share the kicking duties around to reduce his threat as a chargedown specialist.
"I know Pricey well enough, he'll be coming after me," Fien said.
"That's what he does, he puts the kickers under pressure. I get to play with him week-in week-out at the Warriors and he's so valuable for us. I don't see his game changing too much."
- NZPA
