Cronk: Kiwis are number one

Cooper Cronk says New Zealand are best team in the world, a week before his Australian side meets them in the Four Nations final.

The Kiwis and Kangaroos will meet in the tournament decider in Liverpool, a repeat of the final in Auckland in 2014.

Australia will be aiming to win back the Four Nations title they lost to New Zealand.

Cronk said he remains unconcerned by the Kiwi’s 18-18 surprise draw with Scotland ion Friday.

“It’s funny if they had of beaten them by 50 points or draw, you’re not really concerned because they’re the best team in the world at the moment,” he said.

“There’s no doubt about that. They have class across the field, they’ve got the best player in the NRL this season. They’ve got Jesse Bromwich, the best prop, they’ve got Shaun Johnson who is electric on his best days.

“That’s what international football’s all about – the best teams playing against each other for a trophy at Anfield. There’s no better place to play football.”

Cronk won the man of the match award as Australia defeated England 36-18 in London yesterday.

“I thought England were impressive, I thought their first half was Test match football,” the halfback said.

“They played with a lot of energy and physically and I thought we matched that as well.

“That try just before half-time wad really crucial in terms of the outcome of the game.

“We just had to resist their performance in the first 10 minutes of the second half and then obviously try and break their breaks in terms of getting points on the board.”