Defiant Australia boss Mal Meninga insists there’s no added pressure on the World Cup holders - but it is “critical” this autumn’s tournament is a success.
The Kangaroos will be under-cooked ahead of their opener against Fiji at Headingley on October 15. They have no friendlies arranged, haven’t played for THREE years and suffered a shock loss against Tonga in their last outing in 2019.
Meninga said: “Our pride was dented. But we don’t have to prove ourselves. Tonga beat us fair and square on the day. This is going to be a totally different side to even what that one was. There was a changing of the guard at the time - our future Immortals were retiring - and there’s a bit of a changing of the guard again now.”
