League: The unwanted favourites tag

Jeremy Smith, scoring against PNG last week, is not sure the Kiwis deserve the favourites tag against the Aussies. Photo / Getty Images

Sophisticated might be stretching it a bit, but there is no doubt the Kiwis have moved on in their approach to tackling the mighty Kangaroos.

Time was when coaches employed the theory that the only way to beat the Kangaroos was to give them the bash. Fair enough, too.

When the likes of Frank Endacott compared his teamsheet to that of the star-studded Kangaroos, the idea of simply out-playing the opposition would have seemed preposterous.

The Kiwis might be meaner and tougher, but they would never be more talented than sides containing the likes of Wally Lewis, Allan Langer, Mal Meninga, Laurie Daley, Bradley Clyde and too many others to name.

Coach Stephen Kearney this week said he always felt the Kiwis sides he played for during an 11-year test career were at least the equal of the Kangaroos. You can't fault that mental approach, but the results of the last few decades suggest another reality.

As a coach, however, Kearney could perhaps claim to field a team of equals - and in some cases superior talents to the current Australians.

Under Kearney, the Kiwis have certainly moved on from the 'bash them and hope for the best' philosophy.

"I think so," the Dragons' premiership-winning forward Jeremy Smith said when asked if that was the case. "It is still a physical encounter when we play the Aussies but there is a lot more than just bashing them up to beating them."

Discipline and consistency are the new Kiwis mantras.

"It is more important that we just do our job and get it done right," said Smith. Back with the Kiwis for the first time since the 2008 World Cup triumph, Smith is less than impressed with the notion New Zealand's stock has risen to the point it is worthy of favouritism against Australia.

"Every Aussie team ... they have got a lot of players to pick from. The Kiwis are definitely picking up of late but - favourite tag?"

He doesn't say it, but the words "no way" are certainly implied.

Recent history backs up Smith's caution.

The Kiwis haven't beaten the Kangaroos since the World Cup final. And they didn't win any of the preceding seven matches either.

One win from their last 11 matches hardly suggests a nation on the rise.

That said, the Kiwis will enjoy a rare home field advantage tonight, and are sending out a full-strength side against a deeply weakened Kangaroos line-up.

The decision by coach Tim Sheens to rest Darren Lockyer and Billy Slater is just the tip of the iceberg as far as Kangaroos absences go. Jonathan Thurston, Greg Inglis, Justin Hodges, Michael Jennings and Jamie Lyon are all injured, while Israel Folau has left the game.

Of the backline, only Dragons wing Brett Morris could be considered a first-choice player.

Balanced against that, the Kiwis are without only Manu Vatuvei and Kieran Foran.

With the likes of Todd Carney, Cooper Cronk and Chris Lawrence in their line-up, the Kangaroos can't be accused of lacking talent. But the Benji Marshall-led Kiwis will genuinely feel they have their measure.

Their recipe for success is simple.

"We just have to be real strong in the ruck and complete our sets - do what the Aussies do to all the other teams," Smith said.

KIWIS v KANGAROOS
Eden Park, 8.15 tonight

Kiwis
Lance Hohaia
Jason Nightingale
S. Kenny-Dowall
Junior Sa'u
Sam Perrett
Benji Marshall (c)
Nathan Fien
F. Nuuausala
Thomas Leuluai
Adam Blair
Sika Manu
Simon Mannering
Jeremy Smith
Interchange: Issac Luke, Greg Eastwood, Frank Pritchard, Ben Matulino, Bronson Harrison.

Kangaroos
Darius Boyd
Brett Morris
Brent Tate
Chris Lawrence
Lote Tuqiri
Todd Carney
Cooper Cronk
Matthew Scott
Cameron Smith (c)
David Shillington
Greg Bird
Sam Thaiday
Paul Gallen
Interchange: Dean Young, Petero Civoniceva, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Robbie Farah, Kurt Gidley

KIWIS V AUSTRALIA
* First match: 1908, New Zealand 11, Australia 10

ALL TIME
* Played 120
* Kiwis 29
* Kangaroos 87
* Drawn 4

LAST FIVE YEARS:

2010:
* Australia 12 New Zealand 8

2009:
* Australia 20 New Zealand 20
* Australia 38 New Zealand 10

2008:
* New Zealand 34 Australia 20
* Australia 30 New Zealand 6
* Australia 28 New Zealand 12

2007:
* Australia 58 New Zealand 0
* Australia 30 New Zealand 6

2006:
* Australia 16 New Zealand 12 (AET)
* Australia 20 New Zealand 15
* Australia 30 New Zealand 18

Totals:
* New Zealand 1
* Australia 9
* Draw 1