League: Smith a happy man if side tightens defence

Jeremy Smith was concerned by the way the Kangaroos rolled up the middle of the ruck last weekend. Photo / Dean Purcell

What line-up the Kangaroos are putting out and whether their World Cup final defeat two years ago still haunts them is of little consequence to New Zealand lock Jeremy Smith.

He just wants the Kiwis to stiffen up their defence in the middle of the park when the Four Nations title goes on the line in Brisbane tonight.

The Kangaroos, despite resting key personnel, proved too slick as they brushed past the New Zealanders in Auckland last weekend.

The way the opposition was able to roll up the middle was among things Smith and his teammates will need to change. The fact that the Kangaroos have some big names back this week in skipper Darren Lockyer, fullback Billy Slater and in-form second rower Luke Lewis was neither here nor there.

"If we get our defence right, there are few teams that can come through us," Smith said. "Nothing is going to change for us on that."

Smith was similarly unconcerned about talk that the Kangaroos hadn't forgotten their loss of the world champions tag to the Kiwis at the same Suncorp Stadium venue two years ago. "I don't care what fires them up," he said. "We've got our job to do ... As long as we can stop them coming through the middle of the ruck, I'll be happy."

A National Rugby League grand final winner with St George Illawarra last month, Smith was among the Kiwis who lifted the World Cup. But he said that feat wasn't talked about in the New Zealand camp this week.

It was something that happened back in November 2008 and those who took part had moved on.

"We have a job to do on Saturday night and we're all pretty focused on what we need to get done.

"After the performance we dished up last weekend, we're lucky we have one more week to put everything right."

He sensed a belief within the squad that the Kiwis could right their ship in the seven days available.

"We were pretty far off our best performance," he said.

"I'm pretty confident we can turn things around and get things done."

- NZPA