17/11/2008 11:39 AM
Australia halfback Johnathan Thurston says New Zealand will make the Kangaroos pay if the underdone hosts clock off during critical stages of Saturday night's World Cup final in Brisbane.
The Kangaroos reached the decider via a 52-0 wipeout of Fiji on Sunday night, but there were concerns from the world champions' camp that they weren't on their game for the full 80 minutes.
The no-name Fijians managed to get under the Australians' skin with their aggression in defence, forcing the Kangaroos into error and ensuring the scoreboard wasn't constantly ticking over.
Thurston, who racked up 24 points from three tries and six goals, warned a repeat could prove damaging against a Kiwi side slowly warming to the task.
"We were relentless at times but I think we also put ourselves under too much pressure and if we do that next week they'll make us pay," he said.
"We defended well but turned over a lot of ball."
"We've got a lot of areas to work on."
Asked how he thought New Zealand would approach the final, Thurston replied: "I think it will be unorthodox. They'll try a lot of second phase and try and rumble us."
"It's going to be tough. They are always a physical side and they'll have a point to prove after their first performance against us."
"They'll come out firing."
Kangaroos skipper Darren Lockyer was delighted his side kept the Bati scoreless and is after a similar performance in the decider.
"Our defence is great at the moment and we are going to need to keep that standard next in the final against the Kiwis," he said.
Winger Brent Tate, who scored two tries against Fiji, is likely to miss the final with a hip injury.
Manly's David 'Wolfman' Williams is set to replace the Warriors flanker, continuing his remarkable season.