Australia are searching for their 14th-straight Test win when the Kangaroos face New Zealand at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland.
Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos have a chance to etch their names in the rugby league annals over the next few years.
Australia are searching for their 14th-straight Test win on Saturday when they take on New Zealand in what shapes as the turning of a new leaf at Mt Smart Stadium.
Victories over the Kiwis and Tonga over the next fortnight would see the Aussies enter rarefied air.
Not since 2011-14, when they strung together 16 wins under Tim Sheens, has the side experienced a period of sustained success.
And should they keep the roll going, they will have in their cross hairs the 17-game winning run which the side experienced under the great Frank Stanton from 1979-83.
That period included the famous “Invincibles” Kangaroos Tour of England and France in 1982, of which a young Meninga was a part.
And while Meninga is a student of the game’s history, he wouldn’t comment on where the current side stood in it.
“We don’t talk about it; we don’t think about it at all,” Meninga said of the side’s winning streak.
“Thirteen could be lucky or unlucky. I don’t know.”
The Kangaroos’ 13-game winning streak began when he took over in 2016.
While the team has looked unbeatable under his watch, it shouldn’t be forgotten he took over from Sheens at a time when the side was in a lull after back-to-back losses to the Kiwis.
Since 2006, Meninga has forged a resume which stands shoulder-to-shoulder with any other coach in the game’s history – having won 33 of 43 games while in charge of Queensland and Australia.
Meninga is facing one of the biggest tests of his decorated representative coaching career over the next few years as he attempts to guide the side after the exit of a golden generation.
Johnathan Thurston, Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater are all gone and Meninga must nurture a new breed.
“We don’t talk about the dawn of a new era; we don’t talk about lost players that might have been in this footy team,” Meninga said.
“It’s about being a Kangaroo and the expectations of a Kangaroo.”
AussiekiwiTongan
Roar Rookie
Whos the one that has fits about anything negative said Rugby League Cathar? Im not a Rah Rah but ill defend Rah Rah any day of the week from Rugby League. Atleast its a sport that grows naturally around the world. It has a proper World Cup. So Cathar hows that South African RL team going?? Playing its home games in Western Sydney??
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
LOL you are predictable. Feeling a bit sensitive about your your rah rah. Thing is you spend more time on RL threads all over social media. Must say something about the boorish yawnion
AussiekiwiTongan
Roar Rookie
South Africa the 2 time RWC winners? Its Like the South African RL team have to play in Western Sydney so the players are playing close to their families! Yea not much at all Cathar! Remember when people in Wales used to know what RL was?
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
NZ is a small country that doesn't win much. Bit like Wales, South Africa & rugby union, that is basically all they can hang their hat on.
Loosehead
Guest
Its because Anna, the Kangaroo rugby league team isn't that well known in Australia, ask any body from in a state other than NSW or QLD what sport do the "Kangaroos" play and you will more than likely get the reply that they are North Melbourne and they play Aussie Rules.
AussiekiwiTongan
Roar Rookie
Well said Blah! How anybody can compare the 2 teams is laughable
blahblah
Guest
The RU scene has a number of quality teams dominating the RU international scene is a far bigger achievement than dominating the RL scene. All the international RL scene has is the aussie team which has a player pool 20+ times that of NZ, a kiwi team which is a composite NZ-AUS side, the Tongan team which is a composite NZ-AUS side and England who are never as good as they should be.
AussiekiwiTongan
Roar Rookie
Because the All Blacks are globally known and they play proper International teams. The Kangaroos play fellow Australians in other countries jerseys. The All Blacks dominate International Rugby which is the pinnacle of the sport. International Rugby League isnt the pinnacle its State of Origin that is.. Let that sink in Anna and you will realise why the Kangaroos will never be respected
gurudoright
Roar Rookie
You know have precious kiwis get about the All Blacks, especially the fleewis
Anna Falaktik
Guest
Why is it , that when the Kangaroos dominate the international scene , people , quite often Australian people, suggest that it’s bad for the sport . Yet when All Blacks dominate the RU international scene , we are constantly reminded of their greatness and how we should appreciate them. And I’ve never heard a Kiwi say they’re sick of watching them win everything. I know the answer, but I’m wondering if others do.