League: Kiwis out to make strong statement against Australians

Isaac Luke. Photo / Getty Images

The make-up of the Four Nations league final is already confirmed, but the Kiwis yesterday signalled they will not hold back against the Kangaroos in their closing pool match in Auckland next weekend.

New Zealand's 76-14 victory over Papua New Guinea and Australia's 34-14 win over England ensured the transtasman rivals will meet in the title decider in Brisbane on November 13. It also means the results of both matches in the double-header at Eden Park on Saturday - England and PNG face off in the curtain-raiser - will be of mostly academic interest.

However, Kiwi hooker Issac Luke expected coach Stephen Kearney to send out his top line-up rather than keep any players in cotton wool.

"Steve wants to win, so I think we're going to put our best team out," he said. "Every game is critical, whether it's a 'dummy' game. You have to go into every game 100 per cent."

Luke said the Kiwis wanted to build on their performances over England and PNG, while beating Australia would also lift confidence leading in the final.

For the players individually, there was the additional motivation of competition for places.

Luke said he watched part of the Kangaroos' defeat of England on Sunday night with some of his teammates, but he didn't give it his full focus.

"We had a little glimpse but we didn't really pay attention," he said. "I'm not a big fan of watching other teams. I need to worry about my own job and things I can contribute to help the boys."

The South Sydney rake has been operating off the bench in the Kiwis' two matches so far, with Wigan's Thomas Leuluai wearing the No 9 jersey.

While he would like to be in the run-on 13, Luke accepted Kearney's decision to use his impact from the interchange.

"I really want to start, but I think 'Mooks' sees me better off the bench," he said.

"But everyone is up for their position and every one is competing every day and every minute of the day. We'll just have to find out who's in the team at the end of the week."

Meanwhile, Leuluai also said the Kiwis wouldn't keep anything in reserve at Eden Park.

"You can't go in there saving yourself, it's a test match between Australia and New Zealand,." he said.

"It's going to be two teams really going at it. That's the only way to approach those games."

- NZPA