KEY POINTS:
SYDNEY - Key Australian players have reminded the Kiwis a coaching change will not be enough to reverse their rugby league fortunes - they still need to lift their game several notches on the field.
Several Kiwis players have spoken in glowing terms of coaching guru Wayne Bennett's influence alongside Stephen Kearney as they look to reverse a 0-58 hiding last October in the centenary test here tomorrow night.
But two of the National Rugby League's best, halfback Johnathan Thurston and fullback Billy Slater, pointed out Bennett could only do so much.
Asked whether the Brisbane and former Kangaroos coach would prove the difference, Thurston replied: "Not really".
"This is an historic event and everyone's very proud to be playing in it. I don't think you need any outside influences to get up for this game," Thurston said.
"He'll (Bennett) just add some professionalism and prepare them right. That's what they've lacked."
Pride and passion took the Kiwis a long way under coach Brian McClennan in 2005 when they won the Tri-Nations title, and in 2006 when the Kangaroos beat them in extra time in an epic final.
The test retirements of Stacey Jones, Ruben Wiki and Nigel Vagana are still being felt in the Kiwis ranks, with inexperience in key positions looming as their biggest battle.
Halfback Thomas Leuluai had his first training session with his teammates yesterday morning after a long flight from his British base, tasked with matching up against Thurston.
The Kangaroos star admitted he had not seen much of Leuluai and was relying on coach Ricky Stuart to bring him up to speed.
But Leuluai would not suffer by his rushed preparation, Thurston believed.
"It wouldn't be ideal but once they put on that jersey they're like 10-foot tall and bulletproof.
"Once they put that jersey on it doesn't matter whether they've had two hours or 48 hours preparation, they're going to be primed for it."
Thurston was a key figure in the 2006 Tri-Nations victory and the 30-6 win over the Kiwis in the Anzac test a year ago.
He missed the 58-0 win in Wellington due to injury and returns to test football tomorrow without an injured Darren Lockyer, and vowing the dominate the test.
Slater was excited about the prospects of his debut alongside the stars in the Australian side.
"We've got a lot of good players in our side so I'll be following them up the middle. They don't make the Australian side for nothing so I'm sure they'll create some opportunities for me."
Slater said Bennett's influence would bring more professionalism to the Kiwis' buildup.
But the real test would come when referee Ashley Klein blew for kickoff at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
"We're wary about the Kiwis, not so much Wayne even though he's going to help them off the field and prepare them for the game.
"Whatever they throw at us on the field we think we can handle."
Slater has experienced Kearney's coaching first-hand for the past two seasons alongside Craig Bellamy at the Melbourne Storm.
Kearney would provide key intelligence on the six Storm players in the Kangaroos squad - Slater, Cameron Smith, Ryan Hoffman, Michael Crocker, Greg Inglis and Israel Folau.
"He's a very passionate New Zealander and he's a great coach as well. He's going to bring a few things to their side that they haven't had in the past," Slater said.
- NZPA
