Cameron Smith says a fear of failure is his prime motivating factor ahead of the Four Nations final.
A new-look Australia meet a resurgent New Zealand in Saturday’s tournament decider at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium with the Kangaroos still reeling from their heavy defeat to the Kiwis three weeks ago.
Still hurting from losses to New Zealand in the 2008 World Cup final and the 2010 Four Nations final, Kangaroos captain Smith has been a key figure in transforming an Australian side, that has blooded nine Test rookies in the three tournament games, into a competitive force.
“That fear of losing is something that drives me personally,” Smith said.
“That is something that drives all sportsmen, is the fear of losing and the fear of failure and it is something that I have always thought about throughout my career.
“I can’t really say I have ever walked off the field after a loss and thought nothing of it.
“It hurts for a long time and particularly in a game like this, where you have three or four months to think about it before you start playing footy again.
“The biggest thing I ask of the players in our team, and it is the same of (coach) Tim (Sheens), is that you go out and give your best performance.
“If you go out and give your best performance and the opposition is good enough to beat you, you can live with that. But it is when you don’t play well, that you know you could have played a lot better, that is when everyone is disappointed.”
With 12 players missing from Australia’s World Cup-winning squad for this tournament, those rookies have been given a chance by Sheens to represent their country before time.
Rookies Sione Mata’utia, Dylan Walker, Aaron Woods, Josh Jackson, David Klemmer and Ben Hunt will all play in the final and Smith said they have the chance to cement a Test spot for years to come.
“Tim talks about that to everyone when they get into camp, about getting the jersey and wanting to keep it,” Smith said.
“It is not something that is guaranteed to you every time a Test match comes around.”
Sheens has demanded Australia’s forwards display a fiery intensity that was missing in their previous clash with New Zealand.
“We have to maintain the rage and not clock off,” Sheens said.
“That was disappointing in the first game.
“We had our pants pulled down, it was tough to take.
“It is something we have worked very, very hard on.”
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