New Zealand playmaker Kieran Foran says although the Kangaroos can lay claim to having the world’s best players in key positions, they’re yet to prove they are the best team.
Foran will form part of a youthful Kiwi spine which will attempt to retain the World Cup title in Saturday’s final at Old Trafford.
The rising five-eighth, halfback Shaun Johnson, hooker Issac Luke and fullback Kevin Locke will be tasked with getting the better of Australia’s mighty combination of Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith and Billy Slater, should the latter be declared fit.
“Their spine is the best in the world and has been for many years,” Foran said.
“They’ll probably finish their careers as greats if not immortals.
“Our spine is young, we’re still learning, but we know that if we are to beat Australia then our spine has got to be better than their spine.”
While the current Kangaroos side has drawn comparisons with Australia’s 1982 Invincibles, Foran taunted Tim Sheens’ men about the fact they were challengers to the crown after New Zealand’s triumph in the 2008 final.
“In terms of our squad and our talent, we believe we are the world champions,” Foran said.
“They’ve got to bring it to us at the end of the day.
“We believe we’ve brought a squad over here capable of keeping hold of the Cup and there’s no other thought in our head.”
Meanwhile, Foran admitted he was concerned after hearing Manly halves partner Daly Cherry-Evans was willing to provide his Kangaroos teammates with inside information on the Kiwi playmaker.
Cherry-Evans told AAP he would have no qualms offering his Australian teammates advice or tactics to put Foran off “if that’s what needs to be done.”
“I’m a bit worried about that,” Foran said.
“If anyone knows my game, it’s him.
“We talk about footy almost every day when we’re back at training in Manly.
“He would know the strengths and weaknesses of my game better than anyone so I’m sure he’ll be letting the cat out of the bag and telling them everything he knows about me.
“I’ve got to be prepared for that and I guess show some variation to what he expects.”
DR
Guest
Ufortunately i have to agree Dan. but hey..... GO KIWIS!!!
Dan
Guest
They might, but I kinda look at kiwi v kangaroos games in the same way I do wallabies v all blacks; the wallabies and kiwis are definitely capable of pulling the odd upset, but there's no doubting that if their transtasman opposition play to their potential, they are little chance.
rick kareitiana
Guest
yes Dan,you are probably right, but then again it could be Wembly revisited.
rick kareitiana
Guest
Hell mick, I did'nt know that, tell me more.
John
Guest
Foran sounds like an Aussie and acts like one too. None of the Abs ever talk it up before the game, they do their talking on the field and stay humble off it...
Dan
Guest
Apart from SBW and maybe JWH I honestly can't think of a single position where any of the Kiwis would break into the Kangaroos if they were to assemble an ANZAC team purely on form... The Kiwis were awful against England and were damned lucky to win against them. If they play like that again, then you can expect them to be badly punished by a scarily talented Kangaroos team.
Raugeee
Guest
I won't say NZ have no chance but they will have to play the game of their lives and OZ will have to be very poor. We don't have a moron coach like Stuart this time around. Sheens seems to be at his brilliant best. Haynes at outside centre was inspirational. He has incorporated DCE beautifully, and has made the Roos focus on their defence.
Mals
Guest
Nothing wrong with being confident. If Kiwis like Foran don't believe they can win then they may as well forfeit the final!
maximillian
Guest
I think Savage is more commenting on the fact that Foran is talking up the Kiwis chances in the media whereas the ABs are quite different & talk the opposition up. Forans comments in the above article "“In terms of our squad and our talent, we believe we are the world champions... They've got to bring it to us at the end of the day." McCaws comments after the ABs thrashed Japan ''They played some good rugby at times, they got some quick ruck ball and stuff - and we were a bit guilty of giving away a few penalties - you've got to give them credit, definitely.'' 2 very different approaches.
mick
Guest
Nah your media just cover everything up the all blacks do thats bad except when its so bleedingly obvious they cant such as the Guilford episodes, which team and player was it recently reported in the english press that was drunk and trying to feel up the female journo during an interview? Didnt make news in NZ I bet
Clark
Guest
That's the sort of stuff us Kiwis like hearing, that's when the boys will step up once again and hopefully pull through.
SAVAGE
Guest
Our Kiwis are certainly different to our ABs. Oh well, as long as you can back the talk Kieran, that's all that matters.
Raugeee
Guest
Enjoy being World Champs for the next 3 days then Kieran. That aberration is soon to be righted.