New Zealand is expected to rely on discipline rather than belligerence or brilliance in their quest to upset Australia in the first Tri Nations rugby league test at Auckland today.
The Kiwis will start as the substantial underdogs in spite of their starting side of match-winners such as Bulldogs winger Matt Utai -- the two-try hero of the National Rugby League grand final -- and wonderkid Sonny Bill Williams.
Instead of trying to unsettle the Kangaroos with a physical style or to shock them with their backline spark, New Zealand hopes to match the efficient Australians with careful attention to fundamentals.
The Tri Nations, which also includes Britain, shifts to England after Saturday's match.
"We just have to hold the ball," said New Zealand front rower and former captain Nathan Cayless. "Last year, we didn't control the ball early and they got into a lead.
"With the size and power and skill we've got here, if we hold the ball, we'll take a bit of beating."
New Zealand beat Australia 30-16 when the two teams met last year at Auckland's North Harbour Stadium but lost 37-10 to a more resolute Kangaroos side in Sydney in April.
Australia has named four new caps in its side for Saturday's match but still fields formidable experience while New Zealand, with three newcomers, has an apparent lack of depth in the halves.
Thomas Leuluai, who, as an 18-year-old, starred in last year's Kiwi win, will run New Zealand's kicking game and fullback Brent Webb will likely alternate with Vinnie Anderson at outside half.
Australia is an overwhelming favorite to win the Tri Nations, which often inspires the Kiwis to new heights.
"We have respect for them," said Wiki. "They will go up another level for the test. We are capable of going up that level too."
Australian coach Wayne Bennett hit out at critics who believe Australia's superiority diminishes interest in the Tri Nations.
"The critics, those who are always wanting to find fault, would suggest that the best thing to happen would be for us to lose," Bennett said. "But that's not what we're going over there for."
Australia and New Zealand play again on Oct. 23 in London.
Britain and New Zealand play their first match against each other on Nov. 6 in Huddersfield.
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