The Kiwis should find out this morning whether they'll be forced into one late change, with forward Adam Blair racing the clock to overcome an ankle injury.
Blair did not take part in yesterday's final training run after rolling his ankle in Wednesday's session on a boggy surface at a local Gold Coast school.
Nathan Fien is also in doubt with a hamstring complaint, although they have a ready replacement in Isaac Luke.
While the Anzac Test remains a tough ask in Australia, New Zealand captain Benji Marshall says the feeling in their camp is confident after their recent run against Australia in tournaments.
The Kiwis have won three of the past four tournament finals against the Kangaroos - including the World Cup - and Marshall says there's always a great feeling being back together and after the excitement of winning the Four Nations late last year they just can't wait to play.
But Marshall's wary of the in-form Cowboys star Jonathan Thurston and his combination with Kangaroos legend Darren Lockyer. Marshall thinks Thurston's the form player in the NRL and the Kangaroos will be dangerous all over the field.
Australian centre Justin Hodges is also under an injury cloud after suffering back spasms.
Willie Tonga's been called into the Kangaroos camp but Hodges did train and is expected to start.
