Kangaroos begin new era with same passion

MAL Meninga may be leading a revamped Australian side for the first time, but he is adamant his team needs to look forward and not back.

The Australian side will run out on to Mt Smart Stadium for the first time in 12 years tonight without either Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk or Billy Slater.

Instead it will be firstgamers James Tedesco, Latrell Mitchell, Luke Keary and Damien Cook lining up for a vastly different Australian side.

“We don’t talk about the dawn of an new era, lost players that might’ve been in this footy team,” Meninga said. “It’s about being Kangaroos.

“The expectations are the same. It’s not (different) because we’ve lost players.

“New players are stepping up with the same expectations on putting the green and gold jersey on that has been for the last 110 years of our history.

“We want to play really well. (The rookies) are all great and quality individuals. They understand the importance of putting on the jersey and want to do it proud.

“We have a set of values we believe are really important to us as Kangaroos. Everyone has bought into that.”

Meninga, who is looking to extend his unbeaten streak to 14, will coach his first game on New Zealand soil.

The Kangaroos have not played in New Zealand since their 2014 Four Nations final loss.

The streets in Auckland are filled with red and white flags as Tonga drum up support ahead of their landmark Test against Australia next week.

“It’s important for the international game to play matches in New Zealand,” Meninga said. “We are here to promote rugby league. That’s what we love and why we’re here.

“We have a fair challenge (against the Kiwis). We want to turn up with the right attitude.

“All the players are focused. We want to play well.”