The Australian team were making every effort yesterday to avoid the public relations disaster that marred their arrival in Wellington for last year's one-off test against the Kiwis.
Last year, fullback Darren Lockyer was fined $200 by Customs at Wellington Airport when he failed to declare his dirty football boots and
was charged with breaching the Biosecurity Act.
The fine was later covered by the Australian Rugby League, but a sheepish Lockyer said yesterday that he had ensured there would be no repeat.
"I declared my boots today - they were nice and clean. I learned my lesson."
Team management said they had also confirmed the time for last night's reception at Parliament House.
Last year they arrived at the official welcome an hour early and spent the time sitting in lounge chairs waiting for Prime Minister Helen Clark, who never arrived due to another miscommunication.
Centre Adam MacDougall was captured by television cameras sleeping in a chair, only to be woken with a start by a photographer's flash bulb.
The next day the Australian team failed to attend a Legends of League luncheon hosted by Helen Clark, saying they had received late invitations and needed to train.
- NZPA
