Meninga wary of surprises

As far as Mal Meninga’s concerned the World Cup Nines will be won on attitude and if Australia’s goes missing in the party atmosphere at Sydney’s Bankwest Stadium tonight and tomorrow, so too could their shot at the inaugural trophy.

Meninga is one of the few coaches who can claim to know a thing about coaching in the shortened format of the game at an international level.

He took Australia’s first Nines team to Fiji in 1996 during the Super League war, and watched as New Zealand and Papua New Guinea played in the decider after the Kangaroos went out in the semis.

“I don’t think it’s too dissimilar to 13-a-side structurally,” Meninga said.

“There is an opportunity to use your skills and speed.

“But defence wins games and it’s no different in Nines.”

Australia are in a group with NZ, PNG and the US.

Two will advance but much of the focus will be on Pool C, with Tonga, Fiji, Samoa and the Cook Islands facing off in a battle of the Pacific and only one team advancing through to tomorrow night’s semis.

“You see the Pacific Islands and PNG, they will have a tremendous tournament with their speed and their ability to excite people,” Meninga said.

“It’s a tournament where some underdogs might come through and win it. If we don’t play well and with the right attitude, we could be beaten.”

In all, there will be 75 NRL players on show across the 12 men’s teams, plus the world’s best female players.

Australia, NZ, England and Tonga have power up front, while Fiji shape as the most dangerous in broken play.