Fitz: Kiwis no pushovers

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Last updated: 19th November 2008

Fitz: Kiwis no pushovers

Fitzgibbon: Standard bearer

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Australia forward Craig Fitzgibbon insists the Kangaroos will not under-estimate New Zealand in the World Cup final on Saturday despite being the overwhelming favourites.

The second rower believes the fear of failure will drive the Aussies, who have held the World Cup since 1972, and says he still bears the scars of their shock 2005 Tri-Nations loss to the Kiwis.

"It's a big deal," he said of Saturday's final. "I was part of that 2005 Tri-Nations team that was beaten. Certainly it will never be forgotten if we go out at the weekend and don't play well.

"It's a big task, New Zealand have gradually improved throughout the tournament.

"I think everybody here has not lost the importance of taking part in this game, we certainly we want to do our colours proud.

"Every time you play for Australia, you're defending something," he said. "Obviously you have that stigma. You don't want to be the team that loses.

"We did in '05 and it hurt a lot. They didn't let us forget it in a hurry and we don't want to be that team again.

"Every time you play in the green and gold there is a standard that you have to uphold. The players that have played over the last 100 years for Australia have set that standard and they've set it really bloody high.

"We've got to be on our toes and go out there and give it our best shot."