League: Kiwis aim to beat hoodoo

Kiwis halfback Shaun Johnson. Photo / Getty Images

The Kiwis are wary of an Australian backlash on Friday night, after the New Zealanders' surprise Four Nations success last November.

Leading into this match there has been the predictable talk about the Australian Anzac test dominance, with 13 victories on the trot since 1999. It's a remarkable statistic, though it must be weighed against the poor preparation and lack of combinations that usually plague New Zealand at this time of year.

But what is more relevant is an even more revealing trend: after every big Kiwis victory, the Australians reaffirm their dominance, usually in a crushing way. No one does rebounds better than the Kangaroos.

Remember 2005? Brian McClennan's team won the Tri Nations in style, beating Australia 24-0 at Elland Road. That humiliation weighed heavily on the Kangaroos, who plotted their revenge ahead of the next contest, winning 50-12 in Brisbane.

In 2008 the Kiwis memorably claimed the World Cup, with a 34-20 victory in the final. In their next encounter New Zealand retained most of the tournament-winning team but Australia were irresistible in a seven tries to two, 38-10 thumping.

It was similar in 2011, after the Kiwis enjoyed a last-gasp victory in the Four Nations final the year before. Billy Slater was the difference with two tries as Australia prevailed 20-10 on the Gold Coast.

Indeed, pick a famous Kiwi victory and the pattern is similar, whether it is Bob Bailey's team in 1991 (a 24-8 victory in Melbourne was followed by a 44-0 loss in Sydney) or Daniel Anderson's squad in 2003 (after a 30-16 win in Auckland, the Kiwis lost the next encounter 37-10).

"This is a really important test for us," said Shaun Johnson. "This is not just an Anzac test that we want to play a part in. If the Aussies have always bounced back, it means the Kiwis have never capitalised [and] gone on with it. Wouldn't that be good to do?"

The New Zealand side had gained confidence from last year, but "there has never been a Kiwi side that would underestimate an Australian team", added Johnson. "This time it will be no different."

Coach Stephen Kearney was also reluctant to draw too much significance from 2014.

"What happened last year was a real positive experience for us and I am sure some individuals will take something from that," said Kearney. "The guys are in good form but we will need to be at our best and you get a short preparation."

The short build-up seems less of a handicap this time, as most of the squad spent four weeks together during the Four Nations. Johnson and Kieran Foran are a settled halves combination and Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Manu Vatuvei and Jason Nightingale offer experience in the backs. Ben Matulino and Sam Moa help to fill the void left by Jason Taumalolo while Roger Tuivasa-Sheck provides the team's X-factor.

The team completed a solid session yesterday at the Brisbane Norths ground, with an opposed session against the Junior Kiwis providing some willing confrontations.

Kangaroos fullback Billy Slater has withdrawn from the test with a shoulder injury. There was speculation Josh Dugan might move from the wing to fullback but Slater said Greg Inglis would wear the No1 jersey. That ensures Michael Jennings slots into the centre vacancy.