Sure it was the scenario many expected and yes their domination may have come at the tournament’s expense, but Stuart’s message to his players has been simple from day one - go out and show the world you are the best.

And so far they have done just that, the Kangaroos crushing New Zealand 30-6 in the opening game of the tournament before following it up with an embarrassing 52-4 thrashing of England, a 46-6 win over Papua New Guinea and a 52-0 annihilation of Fiji in a lopsided semi-final.

Such has been their supremacy that critics have questioned the worth of the tournament, but having taken on the Kangaroos job at one of Australian rugby league’s lowest ebbs, Stuart was having none of it.

“It’s not our fault that our players are so talented,” Stuart said.

“All we can handle and control is how we play the game and that’s what we worked upon in the first four games.

“That’s what we’ve really worked hard for, just to play good football for the fans of the game and I think the World Cup has been a great success and I think the boys have been a part of it with the way they’ve played their footy.”

Now all that’s left is another 80 minutes against the Kiwis in Saturday night’s final at Suncorp Stadium.

And despite New Zealand having never beaten Australia in World Cup competition and the Kiwis not scoring a point in the first half of their last four trans-Tasman tussles, Stuart knows how easily the empire could come crashing down.

When he took over the job, Australia had just lost the 2005 Tri-Nations final with a 24-0 capitulation at the hands of New Zealand.

Victory on Saturday night would be Australia’s 10th in a row and 13th from 14 games since Stuart assumed the reins, their only defeat coming against Great Britain in the 2006 Tri-Nations.

Since that shock loss the Kangaroos have not put a foot wrong with the likes of Darren Lockyer, Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Greg Inglis leading the green and gold to another level.

But the World Cup is the prize that matters most in the international game, and Australia’s dominance of the tournament to date will mean zilch come kickoff on Saturday night.

“I think the players have exceeded my expectations over the first month but now that’s all out the window and we’ve got a final to play,” said Stuart.

“The last two weeks (against PNG and Fiji) is probably not the ideal preparation in regards to playing a final against New Zealand.

“But how we handle that is going to be the most important issue now.”

This is not foreign territory for Australian players.

When the Kangaroos beat the Kiwis 40-12 in the 2000 World Cup final they’d chalked up cricket scores in their four previous games with an average winning margin of 61 points.

This year their average winning margin at the World Cup is 41 points - including victories over the two other “powerhouses” in the league world England and New Zealand.

The Australians are firing and a class above the rest of the world.

Fullback Billy Slater is the best player in the world at the moment with seven tries in three games, while props Petero Civoniceva and Steve Price defy their age to lead a robust forward pack.

The Kiwis are playing catch up and only time will tell if they have done enough in the past four weeks to turn that opening 24-point defeat around into an unlikely win - or at least a contest.

Stuart concedes the Kiwis have had a better preparation and produced a brilliant dress rehearsal last week when they jumped England for an early 16-0 lead.

The Australian coach is expecting a similar ambush attempt in the final.

“I know exactly what New Zealand will be thinking in regards to us, they will want to come out and have that big, tough, physical game of football,” he said.

“I think they’ve got a better halves combination than they’ve had for a number of years with (Nathan) Fien and Benji Marshall … they create a fair bit of flair.

“Everybody lifts for a big game. That football team will be a better team next week and I hope we’re better again.”

Having conceded just three tries in the World Cup and scored 32, it’s hard to imagine the Australians getting any better.

But just in case his players need any reminding, Stuart will again hang up a sign in the dressing room which reads:

“The Australian Kangaroos uphold a tradition. But equally as important they uphold a standard. The Kangaroos are the best of the best.”

AUSTRALIA
Coach: Ricky Stuart (2006-present)
Record: 12 wins, 1 loss

Path to final
Pool games
bt New Zealand 30-6 at Sydney Football Stadium
bt England 52-4 at Telstra Dome
bt Papua New Guinea 46-6 at Dairy Farmers Stadium
Semi-final
bt Fiji 52-0 at SFS

NEW ZEALAND
Coach: Stephen Kearney (2008 present)
Record: 3 wins, 2 losses

Path to final
Pool Games
lost Australia 30-6 at SFS
bt Papua New Guinea 48-6 at Skilled Park
bt England 36-24 at EnergyAustralia Stadium
Semi-final
bt England 32-22 at Suncorp Stadium

Key facts and figures between in Tests between Australia and New Zealand:
* Australia has won the last eight Tests against New Zealand by an average of 22.6 points.
* New Zealand has failed to score in a point in the first half of its last four games against Australia.
* New Zealand has not scored more than six points in the first half against Australia in their last eight Tests.
* The last time New Zealand beat Australia was in the 24-0 thrashing in the 2005 Tri Nations final.
* Australia has won all 13 World Cup games between the two nations.

As Fiji prepare to play Australia in the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals - the tiny nation’s best result in an international sporting tournament - halfback Aaron Groom has revealed their secret attitude to success.

“It’s not really about going out there and trying to play good footy. It’s more about doing it for your mates and the people you’re with,” said Groom.

“It’s nothing like (NRL). For me personally I’m going into it a lot more calm and not so nervous and I can get back to just playing footy and not having my mind on other things.

“A few of us boys who play in the NRL we were having a chat the other day and saying how this is like just playing park footy with your mates.

“There is nothing else to it. You play because you love to play and you’re playing with your buddies and I think that is what I put (our success) down to.

“The boys aren’t intimidated or anything about the fact we’re playing Australia. We’re pretty excited actually and keen for the challenge.”

Groom, a fringe first grader at the Bulldogs, has been a star for Fiji winning the man of the match awards in both their World Cup victories.

He credits his teammates for his own burst in form, adding their confidence in his ability has given him the nerve to back himself and try things he’d never do in the NRL.

“I don’t think twice before doing things really and I know the boys back me and there is not that pressure,” he said.

“You’re not thinking in the back of your mind that if I do something I shouldn’t I’m going to get dropped.

“It is quite enjoyable actually.”

Groom’s form burst couldn’t come at a better time for the 21-year-old after a “terror” first season at the Dogs.

He debuted in round 10 just a day after being in hospitalised for a stomach complaint, but missed “about 11 weeks” with various little injuries throughout 2008.

Next year he will battle former Australia and NSW halfback Brett Kimmorley for the No.7 jersey.

But Groom is hopeful his Fijian experience, and a good showing against Australia’s Johnathan Thurston on Sunday, will give him the confidence to force his way into first grade permanently in 2009.

“I think I’ve matured a bit from being here,” he said.

“I’d always thought that first grade was such a bigger step.

“(But playing for Fiji) has opened my eyes a bit more and given me confidence that it’s something I can do and am up to it.

“If I go out there (against Australia) and give it a really good crack and go half decent it will really boost my confidence.”

Matai was put in a neck brace, carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital for precautionary scans complaining of neck and shoulder pain after he was squashed by teammate Greg Eastwood in a 29th minute tackle.

It proved the turning point that galvanised the Kiwis as they turned a 24-8 deficit around with five unanswered tries to claim the win in front of 15,145 fans.

Skipper Benji Marshall and fullback Lance Hohaia ran riot as winger Manu Vatuvei scored four tries - the first time in World Cup history - with his three in the second half all set up by the Kiwis’ pair of playmakers.

But the impressive win was soured by Matai’s injury as play was held up for several minutes in a dramatic moment of an action packed game.

The Manly star has battled serious neck and shoulder injuries for at least two seasons with bulging discs in his neck and chipped bones in his shoulder hampering his performances throughout 2008.

He put off shoulder surgery to play in the World Cup but this latest injury has raised serious questions about his immediate playing future.

The cruel twist for the Kiwis is that last night’s win is likely to have no influence on their World Cup fate.

New Zealand and England are almost certain to meet again in a Brisbane semi-final next week unless Papua New Guinea execute an unlikely upset of Australia by more than two points in Townsville tomorrow.

While the loss of Matai will hurt the Kiwis, last night’s glorified dress rehearsal would serve both teams well after confidence-sapping, heavy losses to Australia in recent weeks.

England - despite resting stars Leon Pryce, James Roby and James Graham - dominated the first half and led 24-14 at the break after a double to halfback Rob Burrow and superb individual four-pointers to hooker Mickey Higham and five-eighth Martin Gleeson.

But they went to sleep in the second half as the Kiwis took total control through Marshall, Hohaia, halfback Nathan Fien and “The Beast” Vatuvei.

Vatuvei’s tries in the 47th and 55th minutes levelled scores at 24-all before Issac Luke milked a penalty in the 69th minute to give New Zealand their first lead of the game.

Fien sealed the result in the 75th minute with a try that resulted from Marshall putting Bronson Harrison into space before Vatuvei scored his fourth in the 78th minute.

New Zealand doctor Simon Mayhew said Matai’s injury was nothing like his ongoing issues and could be as serious as a fractured neck.

“He had searing, burning pain from his neck right down to his arm and localised pain in the centre of his neck,” said Mayhew.

“He has never had anything like that before.

“If we moved him and he has an unstable fracture then he could be a quadriplegic.

“The hope is it is just a sprain and all is good.”

Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney was impressed with his side’s second half performance after delivering an “animated” half time dressing down to his troops.

“It showed what we are capable of,” Kearney said of the second half.

“We will take plenty out of the game but we know we are up against it next week.”

England coach Tony Smith was furious his side fell apart and said some players would face the axe if they survive to face the Kiwis next week.

“Very disappointing. I’m a bit angry about it. We are all angry with it,” said Smith.

“We have got to get angrier and make sure things like this don’t happen again.”
Kiwis skipper Benji Marshall meanwhile slammed the English players as “disrespectful” after they formed a huddle inside their own half instead of facing New Zealand’s pre-game haka.

“To be honest I thought it was a little bit disrespectful,” said Marshall.

“If that’s how they want to approach the game that is their choice.”
But Smith defended his players, adding some could find the war dance offensive.

“Where we come from we get in a huddle. That is what we do, whether people are doing the haka or not,” said Smith.

“When our players want to pump each other up that is what we do.

“I’m not sure you should stand there and take it as a victim. In some cultures some people may find getting a tongue poked out at them quite offensive as well.”

After making his debut in the final Test against West Indies in June, and returning a respectable 3-129, Casson has fallen so far down Australia’s bowling ranks he was left out of the India tour squad.

With Victorians Bryce McGain, now injured and out for the summer, and Cameron White picked ahead of him Casson was at best the third choice spinner for Australia.

But an injury-stunted start to the Sheffield Shield season has seen Casson’s stocks sink even further and he is now second choice in the Blues team behind maligned off-spinner Nathan Hauritz.

Casson has returned figures of 1-143 from 39 overs in two Shield matches and must turn his form around quickly, starting with Victoria at the SCG next Tuesday, if a summer Test against New Zealand or South Africa is any chance.

“It’s very hard, you get a taste of something you always wanted to do and you want to keep doing it,” said Casson.

“I’m just trying to get back to basics, working hard at my game and improving myself as a cricketer every day to the best of my ability.

“I would love to be over there (in India) playing for my country … it wasn’t meant to be.

“I will be trying to better myself every day and put the performances on the board and fingers crossed I get the nod.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity out there for whoever is ready to grab it.

“It all comes down to getting runs and wickets.”

If Casson is consigned to being just a one-Test wonder then he’d better get a video of his debut so he can tell his grandchildren as he’s already forgotten most of it.

He admits his Test debut “still does not feel very real” and couldn’t remember his first scalp, opener Xavier Marshall, when quizzed by teammate Greg Mail at the Cricket NSW launch at the SCG today.

He is adamant the Test experience helped improve him as a cricketer, but it hasn’t changed his goal or made him focus on returning to the baggy green.

“Lots of wickets,” he said of his goal this season.

“It doesn’t matter where I’m playing, be it for Gordon in club cricket or for NSW it is just trying to get as many wickets as possible and get the ball in my hands.”

While Casson may be struggling, NSW opener Phil Hughes is still flying high after his near double century (198) against South Australia last week.

But even though Phil Jaques is injured for the summer and Matthew Hayden is struggling with form, the 19-year-old Test player in waiting isn’t dreaming of an early call up to the Australian team.

“I don’t want to look too far ahead. I like to keep things very simple and take things day by day,” Hughes said.

“Obviously my dream is to play for Australia … hopefully one day I get that chance but for now I just want to keep improving and keep enjoying it.

“I don’t have goals as such … I just want to hold my spot in the side and keep enjoying my cricket and playing good cricket for NSW.”

As the countdown continues to the most eagerly awaited clash of the World Cup, Dymock hopes referee Shayne Hayne tolerates the physicality that has become a trademark of their encounters.

With the biggest confrontation to come before kick off, as both countries come face-to-face during pre-match war chants that have led to punches, Dymock expects the rest of the game at CUA Stadium to be played by the rules.

“We’re not going to cross the line and start head-hunting people,” said Dymock.

“It is going to be played very physically and hopefully everyone understands that and we’re going to give as good as we get.

“We just want to play tough and ask Samoa I’m sure they will want to do the same.

“It is sort of built up a bit more than it is.

“I’m sure when the two war dances are on there will be plenty of feeling then but after that I think the game will be played in good spirit.

“Hopefully after the war dance everyone settles down and can just worry about playing football.”

World Cup officials are aware of the high likelihood of flare ups prior to kick off and have warned both sides not to cross the halfway line during their war dances.

“I think it is not really the rule, it is just respect not going over the line,” said Tonga five-eighth Feleti Mateo, who rated this game “one of the biggest” of his career.

“I don’t know what will happen if it gets crossed.”

But Tongan director William Edwards has seen enough battles between these two nations to know what will happen and wouldn’t be surprised if this game goes down as the most memorable of the World Cup.

“There’s been fireworks every time we’ve played so I’m expecting fireworks again,” said Edwards.

“It is just a matter of whether we need the fire department to come and put those flames out in the form of boys in blue or officials from the World Cup.

“At the end of the day they’ve never called off a game between the two countries, even though they might have gotten a bit brutal.

“It could be the best (game of the World Cup) or it could be the most awful game as well. It could deteriorate into a slugfest rather than fancy football.

“It will be very brutal … against Samoa it’s not about intelligence, it’s about confrontation.

“(But) I reckon the game will be won on control and discipline rather than having a loose cannon on the field going out there trying to kill someone.

“There is only one game for us … we might as well pack our bags and go home if we go down in this one.”

Stuart issued his warning two days out from the Kangaroos’ opening clash with New Zealand at the Sydney Football Stadium, fearing the difference in NRL and Super League rule interpretations could rob the game of confrontation.

The Kangaroos coach will speak to referees’ boss Mick Stone to ensure the whistleblowers don’t over-police the ruck and actually allow some wrestling in the games.

“I just hope the game doesn’t turn into a physical game of touch,” said Stuart.

“I want to make sure that it is a very traditional Test match where it’s not a matter of hitting and surrendering and wanting to get up and play the ball very quickly.

“I just want to make sure we actually get into a wrestle … we need confrontation at the ruck and that is what a Test match is all about.

“There will be a difference (between referee interpretations). That is the nature of the beast. The referees from England will be a little bit different to the referees from Australia.

“That is the style of game they’re used to and it’s very hard to change your game immediately. I’m sure Mick Stone has done a lot of work there to get them as close as they can to all work similar.”

The Kangaroos will start the tournament as overwhelming favourites to lift their seventh successive World Cup but Stuart has already confronted his squad about complacency in the 10-nation event.

He warned that both New Zealand and England were capable of knocking off the Australians on their home soil.

“They’ve certainly got the talent there to beat us,” he said.

“It’s been shown over the years that New Zealand and England have the ability to to beat Australia on their day … we can’t afford to be off our game.

“It is sometimes good having the favourite’s tag because we are the best team in the world. We have that tag to live up to. It’s a bit of extra pressure but at this level it is something you can put up with.”

After an eight-year hiatus, the return of the World Cup has been heralded as a new era of international rugby league.

But sceptics question just how successful the tournament will be if Australia continue to dominate as they have in recent years.

Stuart, however, is confident the international game is on the right path to grow and match the elite world status held by rugby union even if Australia maintain their stranglehold.

He believes the increase of Polynesian players in the game, combined with more Test matches for the minnow nations like Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and Papua New Guinea will help grow the game further.

“I think you will be able to rate the success of this World Cup series in eight years’ time,” said Stuart.

“This is all about building a platform for eight years’ time … we want to see it eight years down the track as a bigger and better product.

“The Polynesian boys would be very excited about playing for their countries if they got more Test matches.

“This is going to be a great platform to bounce off.

“We want to get to the stage where rugby union are … they’ve done a fantastic job and it’s the pinnacle of their game.

“I would love to see (the World Cup) be the pinnacle of our international series.”

Hooker Matt Ballin believes the Sea Eagles were beaten in their own heads when they lost 26-4 to the Storm in Melbourne in round five.

Melbourne’s emphatic 34-8 grand final win last year had resonated for several months in Manly’s psyche and it culminated in their limp effort at the start of the year.

The Storm then won their most recent clash 16-10 at Brookvale Oval eight weeks ago, making it four wins from the past five encounters, but Ballin believes Manly have since conquered their mental demons and replaced it with unwavering self-belief.

“I think probably we were a bit psychologically out of that first game after the grand final,” said Ballin.

“We had lost a few games to them but I think towards the end of the season we’ve started to get our heads together and that’s the only thing that was stopping us I think.”

Prop Brent Kite has made no secret of his pleasure at facing Melbourne in a decider again.

He knows there is a perception Melbourne have a mental edge over the Sea Eagles, but he has no doubt Manly can knock the Storm off their perch.

“We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t think we could knock them off,” said Kite.

“I think it will be good to hopefully get a win over Melbourne.

“It will be more special than say if we were to play the Broncos or Sharks.

“They have won the minor premiership for three years, they’re right on top of their game and we have jostled at the top of the table for the last little while and they have got the better of it.

“To get a win over them would be sweeter than anyone else.”

Ballin looms as a key player for the Sea Eagles if they are to exploit the absence of the world’s best hooker, Melbourne captain Cameron Smith.

He is in just his second NRL season and admits he initially struggled taking over from departed champion Michael Monaghan at the start of 2008 but is confident in his own form heading into his first grand final.

“The start of the season wasn’t that good for me. I struggled a little bit probably just with that expectation of ‘Monas’ leaving,” he said.

“I don’t think I was trying to play like him, it was just that expectation of him leaving and I probably thought that I had to try and do a little bit more.

“Whereas really I just had to play the way I played and the team would adapt to that.

“Heath (L’Estrange) coming off the bench has been awesome for us and he’s taken a bit of the pressure off me and really provided some spark coming off.

“We have come right at a good time of the year.”