Meninga palms off favourites tag

Australia coach Mal Meninga has dismissed suggestions his team are heavy favourites to beat New Zealand and reclaim the Four Nations trophy.

Australia and New Zealand meet in the final at Anfield on Sunday.

The Kangaroos have emerged victorious in all three matches with the Kiwis this year, in the ANZAC Test in Newcastle, in Perth and most recently in Coventry.

However, New Zealand are the number one ranked team in the world and are the current Four Nations trophy holders.

“I’ve been around long to know the media puts favourites tags on but we all know when we get out there, and when the players get out there, it’s a 50-50,” Meninga said.

“You’ve still got to do your preparation, have the right attitude and committment and desire, and you have to execute when you’re out there as well.

“We know that New Zealand will be up for this game. We know regardless of what happened over the last week they’ve got a great footy side.

“Great forwards, Shaun Johnson‘s one of the best players in the world behind that. So our forwards have got a big job this week to try and counteract that.

“We understand we have to play our best to have an chance of being successful this weekend.

“We don’t talk about favourites or underdogs to be honest with you.”