The Australian and Warriors prop Steve Price is downplaying predictions that the rugby league World Cup final will be a one-horse race, saying New Zealand's shown a marked improvement during the tournament.
The Kangaroos head into the match in Brisbane tomorrow night having swept all before them over the past month of the tournament.
Australia beat New Zealand 30-6 in their first round match, but Price says the Kiwis have turned things around since then.
He believes a major factor in their improvement's has been the switch of Nathan Fien from hooker to halfback in a swap with Wigan utility Thomas Leuluai.
Price was set to be one of seven New Zealand Warriors in the final, the equal highest club contingent along with Melbourne, before he was ruled out late yesterday after tearing his left calf muscle at the team's final training session.
The Warriors had headed the count with eight until the withdrawal of Australian winger Brent Tate on Thursday because of a hip injury.
