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The sting of a previous loss to New Zealand will act as motivation for Australian forward Greg Bird when he finally gets a chance for some payback on Saturday week.
The tough second-rower has some unfinished business he wants to attend to in the upcoming trans-Tasman clash in Townsville.
“Last time I played for Australia, we got beaten in the Four Nations final in 2010, so I will be very keen to make amends,” Bird said in Sydney on Thursday.
“It was a very disappointing loss and I really haven’t had an opportunity to get back in there and have a game against them since, so that’s my motivation.”
With the Titans’ NRL campaign finishing over four weeks ago, Bird and clubmate Nate Myles, who has been named at lock, had to sweat on whether they would make the Australian team.
“Me and Mylesy have been doing a fair bit over the last four weeks, training three or four times a week, with the hope of getting picked,” Bird said.
“It’s actually quite tough to get motivated when you are not quite sure you are going to be there, but very very happy that I did.”
While speculation continues about whether Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens will retain his position for next year, he has received a strong endorsement from forward Paul Gallen.
“All the boys like playing for him and we’ve had some great times overseas and I know there’s a World Cup next year,” Gallen said.
“I’m sure he’d love to be here and all the players would love to have him.”
Gallen rated the New Zealand pack for Saturday week as probably the best selected in a while.
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