Roos wary of improving Kiwis

Champions happy to talk up underdogs

Last updated: 22nd November 2008

Roos wary of improving Kiwis

Smith: dangers all over the park

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Australia hooker Cameron Smith insists New Zealand will be a very different proposition in Saturday's World Cup final from the team crushed by the Kangaroos in the group stage.

The Green and Golds beat the Kiwis 30-6 on their way to topping Pool One and have so far run in 32 tries and conceded just three on their way to the final.

Inevitably, Australia are hot favourites to lift the World Cup for a seventh time in a row and repeat their success over New Zealand in the 2000 final.

But Melbourne forward Smith is wary of the threat posed by a Kiwi side which has improved match-by-match and inflicted back-to-back defeats on England.

"There are dangers all over the park in the New Zealand team," he told Sky Sports News. "They certainly are a lot stronger side than we saw in the first game.

"They have improved as the tournament has gone along. You can't really pinpoint one area - they are very strong in the forwards as traditionally the Kiwis are, and they have some outstanding backs as well, so we are going to have to aim up all over the park."

There were equally respectful noises coming out of the Kiwi camp, with utility back Lance Hohaia commenting: "No matter when you play Australia and who they are playing, they are normally pretty slick and it is no different this time.

"We were pretty disappointed the way we played against them at the start of the tournament. We have improved since then, so hopefully we can compete a lot better this time around and we'll be in the contest."