League: 'Strongest Kiwis side ever' says Civoniceva

Petero Civoniceva says the Kangaroos will have to vastly improve to beat the Kiwis. Photo / Getty Images

Veteran Australian prop Petero Civoniceva rates the current Kiwis rugby league team as the best he's seen and says the Kangaroos will have to vastly improve to beat them.

Australia trounced England 34-14 in the Four Nations rugby league tournament on Sunday night in Melbourne to advance to the November 13 final against New Zealand, however the two teams must first play off in the final pool game on Saturday night in Auckland.

Underwhelmed Australian coach Tim Sheens said he wasn't satisfied with the performance and forecast a raft of changes.

And Civoniceva admitted if the Kangaroos delivered the same showing against the in-form Kiwis they would be beaten.

"We probably would (lose)," he said.

"I think given the calibre of the New Zealand side and having seen their last two performances, it's the strongest side I've ever seen them put together.

"It's going to be a massive test for us.

"In saying that I know we can step up another couple of gears and we're going to have to if we're going to retain the title."

The Penrith skipper said the Australians couldn't afford to use the first New Zealand game as a dress rehearsal for the final.

"There's an expectation that goes along with wearing this jersey and the boys know that and Tim has made us very aware since day one that no-one's assured of a position in this squad," he said.

"We're going there to win and a Test match on their home soil is going to be a huge battle for us and in our preparation, that will be a huge focus and I know we'll be ready."

Kangaroos backrower Luke Lewis was a stand-out for the hosts, scoring two tries and generously forgoing a hat-trick by off-loading a pass for centre Willie Tonga to score.

But he limped off the field in the second half with a corked calf with Sheens quickly ruling him out of Saturday's Eden Park match

However Lewis said he was desperate to play.

"It's not as bad as I expected it to be, it's pulled up pretty good," Lewis said on Monday.

"I'll be doing everything I can to be fit and ready to go.

"I'd love the opportunity to play, there's no better feeling than dressing up in the green and gold and pulling those socks up."

Premiership-winning Dragons hooker Dean Young was hopeful he would be included in Sheens' plans and get a chance to audition for the final, to be played at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

Young is one of seven players yet to get a run in during the campaign.

"The Emus, as they call them, have been training really hard for the last two weeks so if we get a chance against New Zealand we'll be ready," Young said.

"We'll just go from there and not look too far ahead, I'd be just rapt to get named.

"If you could pick a game to play it would against the Kiwis, they're obviously the best side and there's going to be 40,000 plus in New Zealand ... that's the one you want to play."

- AAP