The Tri Nations Final Thread!

[DIEHARD]

Looks like Jones is back with the Kiwis now. Flown in after the birth of his boy.

Kiwis looking for Jones spark

Talisman Stacey Jones rejoined the New Zealand squad in Leeds on Friday as they prepared to pull off what coach Brian McClennan says would be "the biggest upset in the history of rugby league".

Scrum-half Jones jumped on a plane in Auckland after attending the birth of his first boy and flew 12,000 miles to link up with the Kiwis ahead of Saturday's Gillette Tri-Nations Series final against holders Australia at Elland Road.

The 29-year-old former captain, who came out of retirement initially to play in the opening two games, will defy the effects of jet lag to maintain an unlikely ever-present record in the tournament.

The little general's long-haul trek illustrates his importance to the New Zealanders. Without his organisation and clever kicking game, it is widely acknowledged they have little chance of gaining their first series triumph over the Kangaroos for 52 years. Even with him, McClennan says their prospects are slim.

"It would be the biggest upset in the history of rugby league," insists the coach, who is ignoring his side's historic 38-28 win over the Aussies in Sydney six weeks ago.

"It doesn't matter what you did in the rounds. Grand Finals are different. That doesn't count for anything. The fact that they've had 30-40 years of total dominance of rugby league is what counts.

"Great Britain went really well against Australia last year but look what happened in the final. We've got to fight so hard just to stay in there and hopefully we get the bounce of the ball now and again."

The Kangaroos blew the Lions away with a blistering opening at Elland Road 12 months ago but coach Wayne Bennett is not expecting a repeat of their runaway 44-4 victory.

He is wary of the Kiwis' threat and is not fooled by McClennan's attempt to gain full value from their underdog tag.

"They love that," said Bennett. "They get up on it, it's part of their psyche.

"There is never a good time to play the Kiwis. They're more than capable. After three games, they were the form team of the competition. They were playing really well and I'm sure playing Australia will help them get back to where they were."

The Kiwis went close to completing the double over the holders, losing by two points in Auckland, and smashed the Lions 42-26 in London a week later but they almost crashed out of the tournament when they went down 38-12 to Great Britain at Huddersfield.

They also struggled to overcome France last weekend but McClennan agrees with his counterpart that playing the arch enemy is certain to bring out the best in them.

"I think we have flattened out a bit but Kiwis will play harder against Australia than they will against Great Britain," he said.

"The rivalry is far greater, that's a fact, and the reason is they're right next door to us. Our players are at clubs with Australians, it's mate against mate. It's funny in sport but you always play harder against your mate for some strange reason. It's an international state of origin.

"There's a sparkle in their eyes straight away. In all sports, everyone in New Zealand is saying we've got to beat these bloody Aussies because they've been so dominant in a lot of sports over the years.

"We would love nothing better than to do something positive for international rugby league. Back home, they understand what we're up against, they've seen many times Great Britain and New Zealand fall at the last hurdle against Australia. I think most people would be shocked if we win because the magnitude of it is huge."

While Jones will win his 40th cap, Saturday's match marks the 50th Test appearance of Kiwi captain Ruben Wiki, who became the most-capped international player of all time earlier in the series.

"Ruben won't be thinking about the 50th Test," said McClennan. "He always puts the team first and he would swap everything for a win. They all would."

Bennett paid his own tribute to the 32-year-old front row forward, saying: "It's a wonderful achievement. He's a great player. He has been one of the outstanding players of the tournament, he was great in the two Tests against us."

Source: http://www.SuperLeague.co.uk

Jones on a high after the birth of his son and Wiki playing his 50th Test...could be the foundations of a stunning upset! I bloody hope not!

[Ipswich Fan]

Australia have named Price ahead of Waterhouse which i believe is a good move.

[Steelers]

Less than 24 hours to wait now

[DIEHARD]

Only 20 mins now. Anyone else around?

Surely I am not the only one up this early!

Got the VCR ready.

Will Australia continue it's invincibility? I hope so!

[Ipswich Fan]

Only a few minutes to go.

[DIEHARD]

Jesus two tries to NZ.

See that brawl!?!? See that hit by Tate on Kidwell?!!?

COME ON KANGAROOS! PUT THESE DIRTY KIWIS AWAY! :box:

[DIEHARD]

Seems to be a fantastic crowd on hand as well.

[DIEHARD]

Excuse the lack of posts, I'm far too into this game...

[DIEHARD]

OMG....WE ARE BEING BLITZED HERE!!!

Vatuvei scores his 2nd try.... 12-nil kick to come....

Jesus christ.....

[Ipswich Fan]

If Tate & King are better wingers than Grothe then i am a very poor judge. The Aussies are in big trouble at the moment.

[DIEHARD]

Mason concedes a penalty right in front of our posts....Jones gets the penalty goal....

It is now 14-0 against the Kangaroos... :')

[Ipswich Fan]

I think the Tri-Nations is slipping away.

[DIEHARD]

I think the Tri-Nations is slipping away.

And nearly....three decades of inivincibility!? I'm feeling sick!

[DIEHARD]

OH FFS. Jones gets another penalty goal....

16-nil

:') :') :')

[Ipswich Fan]

It's certainly not a good feeling.