Tri Series Kicks Off

Favourites Australia have ruled out complacency being a factor when they face New Zealand in the opening Tri-Nations rugby league test in Auckland today.

Vice-captain Danny Buderus yesterday said memories of what happened at the same ground, North Harbour Stadium, 12 months ago still remained fresh.

Last October, the classy Newcastle hooker was part of a Kangaroos side humbled 30-16 by the underdog Kiwis.

He accepted that Australian fans had firm expectations of another win for the world champions to go with the 37-10 victory in the Anzac test in Newcastle in April, when the two sides last met.

"Everyone expects us to win, but the international game is getting so close now it's often a toss of the coin, especially if you're playing them on their own turf," Buderus said.

"Last year, the Kiwis rolled us over here and it still hurts a bit. We really want to go out there and rectify that."

Cutting out basic errors will be a priority when New Zealand open their Tri-Nations rugby league campaign against Australia Kiwis forward Nathan Cayless says.

The Parramatta and former test skipper pointed to the Kiwis' mistake rate as a major reason for their 37-10 defeat when the teams last met in the Anzac test in Newcastle in April.

"We just have to hold the ball," he said.

"We let in tries just from errors. We have to cut those silly errors out. That's the key. If we control the ball, we can go really well."

Cayless said the Kiwis showed in their upset defeat of the Kangaroos 12 months ago what they could do when they maintained possession.

Last October, the New Zealanders came back from 0-10 down to record an emotional 30-16 victory at North Harbour Stadium, also the venue for this weekend's clash.

"Last year, we didn't control the ball early and they got into a lead," Cayless said.

The weather in Auckland this afternoon shows signs of being wet and windy .