Australian captain James Tedesco says New Zealand’s sub-par performance against Fiji in the quarter-finals was no indicator for today’s clash, and that the Kangaroos are expecting their arch-rivals to be firing on all cylinders.
“They were probably looking to this game instead of focusing on that game, and they weren’t at their best, but I know 100 per cent they’ll be ready to go this week,” Tedesco told reporters.
“We’re expecting them to come out and be at their best, for sure.
“It’s going to be definitely our hardest challenge so far and it’s going to be an 80-minute game for us.”
Australia come into the contest as heavy favourites, despite the Kiwis being many people’s pick to win the tournament.