Teddy no believer in world rankings
INTERNATIONAL rugby league’s nebulous rankings system says New Zealand is the best side in the world. Kangaroos captain James Tedesco says otherwise.
“I don’t think that really means much at this time,” Tedesco said.
“We see ourselves as the best so we are going out to play like that. We have that expectation that when we put that Australian jersey on, that we are going to win.
“I don’t think the rankings mean much to us.”
The Aussies have been on a semi-final collision course with the Kiwis since the World Cup began and they lived up to their end of the bargain as they dismissed Lebanon on Saturday morning
(AEDT). Exactly 24 hours later, the Kiwis set up a promoter’s dream in the final four as they edged Fiji 24-18.
They will meet in Leeds on Saturday morning (AEDT).
The rankings meant the Kiwis entered the World Cup as the No.1 side in the world. But the flawed system hasn’t been able to accurately adjust for the lack of international rugby league during Covid.
Few would dispute that Australia is the best in the business. The problem for the Kangaroos was that they came into the tournament having played one game in three years – a loss to Tonga.
Before that, they were nigh on unbeatable over a five-year period stretching back to the 2017 World Cup. The Kiwis, on the other hand, had suffered their share of losses.
Yet they towered over Australia in the world rankings. Kangaroos players insisted they hadn’t taken any notice but they are a proud bunch.
The winner will nail down a final spot on the hallowed turf of Old Trafford in a fortnight.