KEY POINTS:
As they make their preparations for the Tri-Nations rugby league final against Australia, the Kiwis are vowing they have got the Melbourne yips out of their system.
After a gym session yesterday the Kiwis were set to hit the training ground running behind locked gates at Parramatta Stadium as canny coach McClennan devises his masterplan.
It's almost a month since the last trans-Tasman test when the Kiwis outplayed the Kangaroos in Melbourne before some Darren Lockyer and Greg Inglis brilliance saw the hosts score two late tries to snatch a 20-15 win.
Since then the Kiwis have dispatched Great Britain twice, the latter an impressive 34-4 win in Wellington, and watched on as the Kangaroos did similar by 33-10 in Brisbane last Saturday.
While the Kangaroos are, as always, hot $1.25 favourites on early bookmakers' markets, the Kiwis arguably have the edge in team cohesion and spirit.
Where the Kangaroos rule is with their host of gamebreakers, led by the outstanding Lockyer, and the Kiwis' tendency to switch off late in the match.
Second rower David Kidwell, who was memorably caught on television cameras roaring at his teammates after their late lapse in Melbourne, said that lesson had been hard learned as the Kiwis look to defend their title.
"Playing for the whole 80 minutes is one big improvement. We learned a tough lesson in Melbourne, I suppose it's better to have done it in Melbourne than in the final," he said.
Despite a dominant performance against the British in Wellington, the Kiwis need to raise a couple more notches.
McClennan said their early completion rates were a concern while Kidwell said a worrying lack of killer instinct needed addressing.
"There were a few times when we had them (Great Britain) on the ropes in their red zone and let them off a bit easy. That's one area we need to look at."
Kidwell still remembers the joy of the 24-0 triumph in last year's final against Australia in chilly Leeds.
This year is arguably a tougher task against a stung Kangaroos side on home soil, hellbent on revenge.
McClennan yesterday said back-to-back Tri-Nations titles would rate among the better New Zealand sporting achievements and Kidwell agreed.
"It'd be huge. Especially for the boys in this team now that missed out on last year, and for the guys that were there to back it up and do it again," said Kidwell, adding there was no less spirit this time around.
"All the Kiwis team camps have been awesome, the team spirit and the camaraderie, we're just like a big family and we're all brothers."
Saturday's final at Aussie Stadium should mark the return of Kangaroos hardman Willie Mason after a one-match suspension for punching.
Memories are still fresh of Kidwell's huge shot on Mason in Auckland last month, and while Kidwell continues to play down their rivalry he was relishing another rumble with the big Australian forwards.
"You've got two dominant packs there, and that's why everyone likes watching test football because you've got the best players getting into each other. That's where games are won and lost."
Meanwhile, the Kiwis have well and truly farewelled the wild weather in Wellington, with 30degC temperatures forecast in Sydney throughout this week.
Kiwis:
Brent Webb, Shontayne Hape, Iosia Soiola, Steve Matai, Manu Vatuvei, Nigel Vagana, Stacey Jones, Ruben Wiki (captain), Dene Halatau, Roy Asotasi, David Kidwell, Simon Mannering, David Fa'alogo.
Interchange:
Motu Tony, Nathan Cayless, Adam Blair, Frank Pritchard.
- NZPA
