Cameron Smith says a fear of failure is his prime motivating factor ahead of the Four Nations final.
A new-look Australia meet a resurgent New Zealand in Saturday’s tournament decider at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium with the Kangaroos still reeling from their heavy defeat to the Kiwis three weeks ago.
Still hurting from losses to New Zealand in the 2008 World Cup final and the 2010 Four Nations final, Kangaroos captain Smith has been a key figure in transforming an Australian side, that has blooded nine Test rookies in the three tournament games, into a competitive force.
“That fear of losing is something that drives me personally,” Smith said.
“That is something that drives all sportsmen, is the fear of losing and the fear of failure and it is something that I have always thought about throughout my career.
“I can’t really say I have ever walked off the field after a loss and thought nothing of it.
“It hurts for a long time and particularly in a game like this, where you have three or four months to think about it before you start playing footy again.
“The biggest thing I ask of the players in our team, and it is the same of (coach) Tim (Sheens), is that you go out and give your best performance.
“If you go out and give your best performance and the opposition is good enough to beat you, you can live with that. But it is when you don’t play well, that you know you could have played a lot better, that is when everyone is disappointed.”
With 12 players missing from Australia’s World Cup-winning squad for this tournament, those rookies have been given a chance by Sheens to represent their country before time.
Rookies Sione Mata’utia, Dylan Walker, Aaron Woods, Josh Jackson, David Klemmer and Ben Hunt will all play in the final and Smith said they have the chance to cement a Test spot for years to come.
“Tim talks about that to everyone when they get into camp, about getting the jersey and wanting to keep it,” Smith said.
“It is not something that is guaranteed to you every time a Test match comes around.”
Sheens has demanded Australia’s forwards display a fiery intensity that was missing in their previous clash with New Zealand.
“We have to maintain the rage and not clock off,” Sheens said.
“That was disappointing in the first game.
“We had our pants pulled down, it was tough to take.
“It is something we have worked very, very hard on.”
HEAD-TO-HEAD
RECORD OF RUGBY LEAGUE TESTS BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND*:
Head-to-Head (1908-2014): Played 128, Australia 95, New Zealand 30, drawn 3.
Last 10
* New Zealand defeated Australia 16-12 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, November 13, 2010
* Australia defeated New Zealand 20-10 at Skilled Park, Gold Coast, May 6, 2011
* Australia defeated New Zealand 42-6 at Ausgrid Stadium, Newcastle, October 16, 2011
* Australia defeated New Zealand 26-12 at Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington, October 28, 2011
* Australia defeated New Zealand 20-12 at Eden Park, Auckland, April 20, 2012
* Australia defeated New Zealand 18-10 at Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville, October 13, 2012
* Australia defeated New Zealand 32-12 at Canberra Stadium, Canberra, April 19, 2013
* Australia defeated New Zealand 34-2 at Old Trafford, Manchester, November 30, 2013
* Australia defeated New Zealand 30-18 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney, May 2, 2014
* New Zealand defeated Australia 30-12 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, October 25, 2014
SMITH’S CAPTAINCY RECORD WITH THE KANGAROOS*:
* 18 Tests, 17 wins, 1 loss
* Debut as captain: Australia v New Zealand at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, October 14, 2007
* Achievements: Captained Australia to victory in the Centenary Test v New Zealand, SCG, May 9, 2008; captained Australia to World Cup victory 2013
Stats courtesy of David Middleton, League Information Services.
