The Kiwis forward Adam Blair says World Cup holders Australia will enter rugby league's Four Nations final as favourites despite being comprehensively beaten by the New Zealanders earlier in the tournament.
The unbeaten Kiwis enter Saturday night's title match on the back of three wins, though the Kangaroos have clearly improved since their opening match loss to New Zealand in Brisbane.
The final is in Wellington, giving the Kiwis home advantage, though Blair is under no illusion which team enters the match as favourites.
He says Australia are always favourites for a match and they've certainly improved and are gelling a lot better than when they first met them, and beat them, in the opening game.
Blair's view is backed up by the TAB, who've installed the Kangaroos as favourites for the match.
He says you always want to play the best and that's why he likes taking on Australia.