Smith - Slate's wiped clean

Star hooker has words of praise for Leuluai

Last updated: 18th November 2008

Smith - Slate's wiped clean

Smith: hooker of the year

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Australia vice-captain Cameron Smith insists the Kangaroos' group stage win over New Zealand will have no bearing on Saturday's World Cup final.

Australia beat the Kiwis 30-6 last month on their way to topping Pool One but Smith admits the slate will be wiped clean when both teams run out in Brisbane.

"Although we've beaten them once in this tournament already, it's going to be a totally different story on Saturday," he said.

"As soon as we finished the game against Fiji, we spoke about putting all the past games behind us. They won't really mean much this week.

"Obviously we probably would have liked a close, tough game leading into the final but that's the way our draw happened to go.

"There's been some big scorelines but we think our preparation has been pretty good."

Smith was named as hooker of the year in the International Federation awards this week and will be up against Wigan's Thomas Leuluai on Saturday.

Leuluai was moved from his specialist scrum-half position for last Saturday's semi-final against England and, after playing a key role as hooker in the Kiwis' 32-22 victory, looks certain to stay there for the decider.

Target

Because of his inexperience in the role, Leuluai could become a target for the Kangaroos but Smith delivered a ringing endorsement of the radical change made by New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney.

"I think his shift there is because of the way Nathan Fien is playing at half," said Smith on the eve of Australia's training session at Langlands Park today.

"He's obviously started in the dummy-half role but he's playing exceptionally well in the halves and I think that's the way it's worked out best for the Kiwis.

"Leuluai is a very good player and a lot of dummy-half players these days are ex-half-backs anyway.

"He's a great player and we're not going to be exploiting him more than any other player."