SYDNEY - Still reeling from last year's World Cup debacle, Australia are bracing themselves for an even tougher test on Friday night - the return of the game's No 1 prop, Kiwis enforcer Roy Asotasi.
Asotasi will make his comeback to the test arena after missing last year's World Cup
with a pectoral injury, his return beefing up a Kiwi pack which monstered the Kangaroos in their 34-20 triumph in the decider.
The former Kiwis skipper was singled out by Kangaroos rival Petero Civoniceva as the man to stop in Friday's test, admitting the current New Zealand side was better than the 2008 model thanks to Asotasi's presence.
"For sure, with him in the pack, what was going to be a tough task for us has been boosted by his inclusion," Civoniceva said.
"With Roy in the pack, he's regarded as one of the best in the game if not the best, and he's playing with a tremendous amount of confidence at the moment."
New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney admitted Asotasi was keen to make up for a disappointing 2008 in Kiwi colours.
"He got knocked out after about 10 minutes in last year's Anzac test and missed the World Cup," Kearney said.
"So he feels he really wasn't a part of the Kiwi team last year, he is really keen to go out there and do a job for us."
Asotasi was named alongside Adam Blair in the Kiwi front row with Melbourne's Jeff Lima to provide the firepower off the bench.
Of that trio Blair is the only one that took part in New Zealand's World Cup campaign, Asotasi and Lima coming in for retired former skipper Nathan Cayless and injured Warriors tyro Sam Rapira.
Australian selectors opted to go with four front rowers for the Suncorp Stadium re-match - Civoniceva joined by Steve Price, Brent Kite and Luke Bailey - after being caught short in last year's final when Price went down with injury on match eve.
His unavailability left the Kangaroos with only two specialist frontrowers to take into the contest and it showed as the Kiwis rumbled over the top of the home side over the latter stages of the match.
"We probably were a bit (undermanned), losing someone like Pricey who gives us so much momentum around the ruck," Civoniceva said.
"They're big shoes to fill and we probably were a bit light on.
"We missed his leadership and his presence that he brings every time he walks onto the field.
"It's great to have him back, hopefully no late training mishaps this time."
The training paddock has claimed Billy Slater, though the news on Wednesday was far more positive.
Slater rolled his ankle at training on Tuesday and has received round-the-clock treatment ever since, physio Tony Ayoub declaring the Storm custodian an almost certain starter.
"Unless something untoward happens over the next 24 hours I'm pretty confident he'll play," Ayoub said.
"I'd say 99 per cent sure he'll start."
A final decision on Slater is likely at Australia's last training run at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday.
Winger Darius Boyd was also cleared to play after coming through Tuesday's training session.
- AAP
Roy Asotasi returns to the Kiwis after missing last year's World Cup with a pectoral injury. Photo / Getty Images
SYDNEY - Still reeling from last year's World Cup debacle, Australia are bracing themselves for an even tougher test on Friday night - the return of the game's No 1 prop, Kiwis enforcer Roy Asotasi.
Asotasi will make his comeback to the test arena after missing last year's World Cup
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