League: Meninga's Kangaroos follow All Blacks' tradition

Kangaroos players sweep out their change room following their 54-12 Four Nations win over Scotland. Photo / Twitter.

The Kangaroos have followed the All Blacks' lead and adopted the practice of sweeping out their own change rooms in an effort by coach Mal Meninga to instil more humility in his side.

Under former Rugby World Cup winning coach Sir Graham Henry, the All Blacks adopted the mantra that 'better people make better All Blacks' and no player was above doing even the simplest task.

After every test match, senior All Blacks - including former captain Richie McCaw, five-eighth Dan Carter, and cross-code international Sonny Bill Williams - were tasked with sweeping up and disposing of the mud, dirt, strapping tape, food scraps and other rubbish that littered the floor of the team's inner sanctum.

Now Meninga has his Australian players following suit and embracing the philosophy as one of several initiatives and traditions introduced since he took over from former Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens.

Mal Meninga has introduced a concept where the @Kangaroos are self sufficient. So after Friday's win they had to clean up before going. pic.twitter.com/zXpvlsyNs9

— Ryan (@beardbeerbloke) October 30, 2016

The former Australian captain and 46-test veteran is eager to enhance the players' pride in the green and gold jersey and ensure their feet are kept firmly on the ground.

Several players, including star five-eighth Johnathan Thurston and back-rower Matt Gillett - who both sat out the 10-tries-to-two romp over the Braveheart's -manned the brooms and ensured they left the change rooms as they found them.

Under Meninga's watch, the Kangaroos have also introduced special coloured insignia on their jerseys relating to how many tests they have played, in an effort to recognise different milestones.

Throughout the Four Nations, players with more than 20, 30, 40 or 50 games have distinct markings on their jerseys.

The changes come as part of Meninga's plan to ensure wearing the Kangaroos jersey becomes the highest honour for any Australian player to aspire to.