Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.
KANGAROOS captain Cameron Smith says Australia can't afford to worry about what the Kiwis and Sonny Bill Williams are doing at the World Cup as the two powerhouses of the tournament head towards an inevitable showdown.
The two heavyweight nations of international rugby league have once again been the standout performers over the opening pool matches and England appear to be the only other side capable of ruining the dream final.
The Kangaroos lost to the Kiwis in 2008 and again in the 2010 Four Nations and for many of the senior players in the Australian side this will be their final chance for revenge.
Australia will again go into this Saturday's quarter final against the United States at just about unbackable odds - but Smith was adamant the Kangaroos would not treat the Tomahawks with disrespect.
Sonny Bill Williams of New Zealand. Source: Getty Images
"The thing about this side is that we don't underestimate anybody we play," Smith said.
"Although we'll come in as red hot favourites against most teams, we don't underestimate any opposition we're playing against and we show the respect they deserve.
"I think that's the reason why we've played so well the last couple of weeks.
"It hasn't been the best of conditions that we've played in. We haven't really had a good track to play on.
"In Cardiff blokes were slipping all over the place. Last week and (against Ireland) was wet.
"But we've still played some pretty good football. We've controlled the ball really well.
"I think in all three matches we've had a completion rate in the 80s so we're just trying to build for the big matches.
"We want to continue what we've done in the last few weeks over the next few weeks."
And while everything looks to be heading towards a clash of the titans in the final at Old Trafford on November 30, Smith said the Kangaroos need to focus not on the Kiwis but improving their own game.
He said he had watched some of New Zealand's early pool performances and it was obvious Williams was their strike weapon - just like he was with the Roosters on their charge to premiership glory in the NRL.
Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.
"We've seen a bit of the game against PNG. They played really well, they've got a great side," Smith said.
"They played strong and physical through the middle.
"Obviously they're trying to get the ball to Sonny Bill Williams as much as they can and he's done a fair bit of damage there.
"We're not too worried about them at the moment.
"If we meet them it's going to be in a grand final of this tournament so we'll just worry about getting ourselves right for this week.
"Everyone wants to be involved in the World Cup final so whoever we come up against, they'll be hungry and we can't get ahead of ourselves trying to think about New Zealand, if they're going to be there, how they're going to play, how we're going to play against them.
"We've just got to worry about who we're playing."
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Smith not thinking about Sonny
Dengan url
http://sportyhealty.blogspot.com/2013/11/smith-not-thinking-about-sonny.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Smith not thinking about Sonny
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Smith not thinking about Sonny
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar