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SYDNEY - Trying to halt the Kiwis when they get "in the zone" is occupying the mind of Kangaroos captain Darren Lockyer, who says his team have to step up several notches to avert back-to-back Tri-Nations final losses.
"Last year people thought it was a bit of a fluke for the Kiwis. We know it wasn't a fluke and the way they're going at the moment they're a chance of going back-to-back," Lockyer said of the Kiwis' memorable 24-0 win in Leeds.
"If we lose, I guess it would say that international rugby league's healthy.
"The last few years people have been saying how dominant we are and there's no competition. There's not too much between the two teams and it's going to be a pretty tight battle again."
Lockyer and coach Ricky Stuart have been noticeably glowing in their praise of the Kiwis this week.
Lockyer was absent with injury for last year's final, from which there are only six Kangaroos survivors and a new coach.
The Kiwis have eight returnees - captain Ruben Wiki, Stacey Jones, Brent Webb, Manu Vatuvei, Nigel Vagana, Roy Asotasi, David Kidwell and bench hooker Motu Tony.
"[Coach] Brian McClennan said they were in a bit of a zone last year and I think in their last performance [a 34-4 win over Great Britain] they were getting pretty close to being in that zone again," Lockyer said.
The Australians have this week also emphasised the effects of a long season with Stuart calling for a revamp of the league programme, saying Lockyer was on the verge of suffering burnout.
A majority of the Kangaroos have been playing continuously since March, with the likes of Lockyer and prop Petero Civoniceva playing State of Origin for Queensland and the NRL grand final with the Broncos.
"It's a big challenge for us, and we can play a bit better than last weekend. We're going to have to find that bit extra this week," Lockyer said.
But Wiki said the Kangaroos should not use burnout as an excuse if they lose.
Wiki, 33, is having nothing of suggestions the Kiwis have an advantage because most of them had a break during the NRL playoffs.
"It's been a long season for everyone. The Aussies have had the State of Origin and a few extra games, but this is what you do, you enjoy it, that's why you play," Wiki said.
"It's the last game of the season and both teams will be going at it."
While it is difficult to tell whether the long season will have its effect in a one-off test in November with world bragging rights riding on the outcome, the Kiwis believe one other major area gives them the edge.
The much-discussed Kiwis brotherhood will take them a long way at Aussie Stadium.
It's been a common topic for the players this week, emphasising how close the Kiwis camp is under the guidance of McClennan.
"There's something special about Kiwis camps when all the boys come together from their different clubs," Wiki said. "It's like a family reunion, the boys love each other's company. Our values when we were younger were family orientated and it's been bred into the camp."
So, can the Australians, whose league focus is heavily on the NRL and State of Origin, create the same passion in their squad?
"It depends on how they were brought up. We can only worry about ourselves and the values our parents have taught us that we show our emotions," Wiki said.
"We're a very tight knit unit and you'll do anything for your brother next to you."
Kiwis v Australia
Sydney, 10pm today
Kiwis: Brent Webb, Shontayne Hape, Iosia Soliola, Steve Matai, Manu Vatuvei, Nigel Vagana, Stacey Jones, Ruben Wiki (c), Dene Halatau, Roy Asotasi, David Kidwell, Simon Mannering, David Fa'alogo
Interchange: Motu Tony, Nathan Cayless, Adam Blair, Frank Pritchard.
Kangaroos: Karmichael Hunt, Brent Tate, Mark Gasnier, Justin Hodges, Greg Inglis, Darren Lockyer (c), J. Thurston, Willie Mason, Cameron Smith, Petero Civoniceva, Andrew Ryan, N. Hindmarsh, Luke O'Donnell.
Interchange: Shaun Berrigan, Anthony Tupou, Mark O'Meley, Brent Kite.
- NZPA
