Australian rugby league coach Tim Sheens says their Four Nations opponents might be justified in thinking the Kangaroos have lost some of their punch, but he says the absence of three backline stars has heightened the sense of competition within the team.
On Tuesday winger Jarryd Hayne had to withdraw from the team, joining Greg Inglis and Johnathan Thurston on the sideline.
Australia play Papua New Guinea first up on Sunday followed by England and the Kiwis.
