Kiwis seek 80-minute effort against Aust

Nov 25, 2013 - 7:23 PM The Kiwis are targeting composure as they look ahead to the last, big hurdle barring their way to a second successive Rugby League World Cup title.

New Zealand face Australia in the final in Manchester on Sunday morning (AEDT) and centre Dean Whare believes the Kiwis' combination has been working well and not a lot needs to change.

"The only thing is that we come up against harder opposition every week," he said.

"The Australians are going to be a tough team to beat. We just have to stay composed and play for the whole 80 minutes again."

The defending champions head into the Old Trafford showdown carrying a couple of injuries, with Sydney Roosters winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Canterbury second-rower Frank Pritchard both getting over leg issues.

Tuivasa-Sheck, the second highest try-scorer at the tournament, has formed a dangerous partnership with Whare, who says it is important his teammate gets his recovery right and doesn't rush back into training.

Whare played in the 32-12 loss to Australia in April and said the Kiwis had already spoken about what it would take to beat the star-studded Kangaroos.

"We've got to be more controlled, don't give away silly penalties and stay in the grind with them.

"They're a team that stay in the grind for the whole 80 minutes and that's what we'll have to do if we want to win."

Australian halfback Cooper Cronk said opposite number Shaun Johnson's ability to create opportunities had been impressive.

"He's matured as a player over the last couple of years and we have the utmost respect for Shaun and every other player in the New Zealand side," he said.

"This is what the World Cup is all about, putting the best players against the best players and the best teams against the best teams."

Johnson scored the last-minute try and conversion to secure victory over England in the semi-final, and Cronk said the key to nullifying the Warriors' playmaker would be to win the physical battle up front.

Source: AAP