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Long before the Four Nations rugby league tournament kicked off, it was predicted that Australia and New Zealand would be the leading combatants and most likely the finalists; nothing from the opening fixtures last weekend has changed that opinion.The Kangaroos second-stringers, as expected, made short work of Scotland with a 54-12 romp to give Australia a comfortable start to their campaign, while the Kiwis had a much tougher time in a 17-16 arm-wrestle with host nation England.?Barring injury, the Kangaroos and Kiwis were expected to name their strongest possible line-ups for their highly anticipated clash this weekend.Mal Meninga has made seven changes to Australias line-up, with high-profile players Johnathan Thurston, Darius Boyd, Greg Inglis, Boyd Cordner, Matt Scott, Matt Gillett, and Valentine Holmes all named to return against New Zealand.We know the Kiwis will be a significant challenge for us so it will be great to welcome back some of the players who missed the Scotland game, Meninga said.But Meningas team sheet doesnt include Cooper Cronk, which raises one glaring question: Is Meninga starting to change the guard?The company line states the 28-Test veteran is being rested, but Cronk was the best player in this years NRL season and is the reigning Dally M Medal winner -- so it would be fair to assume that his form would make him an automatic selection.Michael Morgan is likely to join Cowboys teammate Thurston in the halves but is it more a strategic plan rather than a gamble??Having said that, it is still important to try out a few combinations and I am looking forward to seeing what this squad can do against the Kiwis, Meninga said.The clash with the Kiwis was expected to provide an insight as to what line-up Meninga views as his best, so his decision to overlook Cronk has many experts and fans scratching their heads.Meninga has already shown he isnt afraid to make the tough calls on long-serving stars, after leaving veterans Corey Parker and Paul Gallen out of the touring party altogether.With and ageing squad that includes some of the all-time greats such as Thurston, Cameron Smith, maybe Meninga is merely following his succession plan as Australia look to re-establish itself at the top of the rugby league tree.?Meanwhile, New Zealands only changes for the encounter with Australia have been forced by injury.Hard-running prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (knee) and Jason Nightgale (ankle) have been ruled out, with Greg Eastwood and Gerard Beale promoted into the squad.After both sides scored first-up wins, the match is far from must-win; but a victory, or at least a strong performance, is a must for New Zealand after Australia handed them a 26-6 thrashing just three weeks ago in Perth.Australia Kangaroos: (19-man squad, alphabetical order)?Darius Boyd, Shannon Boyd, Boyd Cordner, Blake Ferguson, Jake Friend, Matt Gillett, Valentine Holmes, Greg Inglis, David Klemmer, James Maloney, Trent Merrin, Michael Morgan, Matt Moylan, Justin ONeill, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith (c), Sam Thaiday, Johnathan Thurston, Aaron Woods.New Zealand Kiwis: (19-man squad)?1. Jordan Kahu 2. Gerard Beale 3. Solomone Kata 4. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Thomas Leuluai 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Jesse Bromwich (c) 9 Issac Luke 10. Adam Blair 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Tohu Harris 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Lewis Brown 15. Martin Taupau 16. Manu Mau 17. Greg Eastwood 18. Joseph Tapine 19. David Fusitua.Venue: Ricoh Arena, CoventryKick-off:?7am AEDTKey Stats:Australia have lost just five of their past 27 meetings with New Zealand.Australia have a 74 percent winning record vs. New Zealand (Played 132, W97, L32, D3).New Zealand have beaten Australia once in England from nine attempts (2005).UBET Odds:$1.28 Australia, $3.65 New ZealandWeather:Rain is expected throughout the day, with a brisk temperature of 5C forecast for kick-off.?Prediction:?Australia by 10 Nike Air Zoom Outlet . -- Gus Malzahn finally had his day in Fayetteville. Nike Zoom Clearance . Pence singled in the winning run with no outs in the ninth inning to give the Giants a 7-6 victory over the San Diego Padres on Sunday. http://www.nikezoomclearance.com/ . In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. And although English league clubs are unlikely to splash cash in January, Arsenal and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers. Nike Zoom Clearance Sale . Reigning world champion Eve Muirhead of Scotland opened with a 12-2 rout of Winnipegs Jennifer Jones in a battle of teams bound for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Nike Zoom Wholesale . The 18th player to shoot 60 on the tour, Jamieson settled for par on the final hole when his 15-foot birdie chip grazed the edge of the hole and stayed out. After opening with rounds of 66 and 73 to make the cut by a stroke, he had 11 birdies in the bogey-free round. RIO DE JANEIRO -- Its been the Olympic Games where British history has been made in so many sports, on so many levels.?Now Team GBs womens hockey team has joined the party.Putting their bodies on the line for a 3-0 win over New Zealand in the unforgiving Brazilian humidity, Britains women reached their first ever Olympic final.There will be no let up as they chase what would be the most incredible of gold medals on Friday against the Netherlands and the brilliant Alex Dansons message was equal in focus: We wont change a thing.They are now unbeaten in seven matches here and brimming with confidence but there will be bruised bodies on Thursday.Faces were on the wrong end of sticks, chins were battered -- Georgie Twiggs injury was dismissed by her as taking one for the team afterwards with her inflamed lip testament to safety being placed second behind the overall effort.It was this unwavering focus, this resilience that saw them shut out the misfiring Black Sticks to book a final with back-to-back Olympic champions the Netherlands.From goalkeeper Maddie Hinch to the talismanic Danson -- who scored twice -- to the rangy, dangerous Twigg to the steady Kate Richardson-Walsh, the performances were heroic.Forced to defend for the middle section of the game with New Zealand hammering away at their goal, Britains defence was astonishing -- though they were let off the hook when New Zealands Petrea Webster fired wide having had far more time to weigh up her options with just Hinch to beat.I am so proud of this team but defensively we have been absolutely outstanding at this tournament and I mean that as a whole unit, Danson said. We are tight: no one can come through us. I dont think I have ever seen a team defend like that in our circle.And from this platform they forced the 1-0 lead in the first period through Dansons deflected shot before closing it out in the final quuarter thanks to penalty strokes from Helen Richardson-Walsh and the brilliant Danson.ddddddddddddIt all came down to processes. Though reaching the final is uncharted water for Britain, they knew what to do in every phase of the game -- how to shut out the dangerous Kiwi attackers and how to capitalise on attacking territory when opportunity allowed.But celebrations will be kept to a minimum.?We are going for gold, nothing else, said Twigg. External influences and voices are completely blocked out, to the extent the team have a self-imposed social media ban.We decided as a squad that we want people to see us for what we are and thats tight and as a unit, Danson said. We will share our stories once the Games are over but for now its about concentrating, being together and having no interest elsewhere and focusing just on what we are doing.And this is why, despite them already making a slice of British hockey history, they wont be carried away.As soon as we won there, it was a case of one more, one more, Hinch said. Were not going to rest on our laurels; were going to make sure we give absolutely everything to get that medal. I have a good feeling.It all boils down to what will be another physical 60 minutes against the Netherlands. They know their opponents well and will take confidence from a 1-0 series win over two matches in June. It will be a case of facing familiar foes in an unfamiliar environment on Friday, but you sense they are ready for anything the Netherlands throw at them.We are getting better and better every game and its so exciting over what we can pull out in the final on Friday, Hinch said. Its all about momentum for us and we are getting better and better. Hopefully we will pull out our best performance on Friday. ' ' '