Australia boss Mal Meninga makes New Zealand prediction after World Cup scare

The Kiwis appeared to be on course for a shock defeat in Hull last Saturday before steadying themselves to overturn an 18-6 deficit and book a World Cup semi-final date with Australia at Elland Road.

New Zealand have been shocked back into life after coasting through the group stage, according to Meninga.

"It probably knocked their motivations back in place around the tournament," he said. "Without being disrespectful, it's been a fairly easy ride for most of the top teams.

"That made them realise they need to knuckle down and get ready for this. They won't need any more motivation to play well.

"I'd be using it as motivation if I was a player."

Australia are the reigning champions after seeing off England in a hard-fought final five years ago.

But Meninga stressed that this is new territory for his current squad.

"Everyone is fully aware of the enormity of the challenge in front of us," said Meninga, whose side beat Lebanon in the quarter-finals.

"It's a special game so there's a natural progression in intensity and you want to get yourself up for it.

"But you need to relax and get yourself in a good head space so you play your best game.

"It’s a big game for Australia because it's a World Cup. We haven't been in this situation for a long time.

"Only three of them have played before in a World Cup semi-final. It's a big game for them.

"This is the first step. We want to play well and win, and then we want to move on and win the World Cup."

New Zealand – the 2008 champions – are ranked as the best side in the world, although that is largely down to Australia's inactivity in recent years.

The Kangaroos are highly fancied to win a 12th title but Kiwis head coach Michael Maguire is backing his team to rise to the challenge.

"Australia have obviously got the runs on the board in World Cups, if that means anything," he said.

"But at the end of the day, this is a whole new 80 minutes. There's a lot that's gone into where we are right now and this is our opportunity.

"We've got a really strong group and a lot of the players have played in real big games.

"Good players want to play against good players. We were aware some time ago that this game had to happen to get through to the final. We're looking forward to it."

New Zealand will be without Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who has missed three of the four games so far through suspension, after he failed to recover from a hamstring issue in time.

Maguire is convinced he has enough firepower up front to take the fight to Australia.

"He is close but he just can't fully stride," said Maguire. "He would be available next week.

"He's a caged animal on the field but off it he's a champion fella and understands his role. He's a leader amongst the boys and has added in where he can.

"It's unfortunate but I've got a few candidates that will take on that mantle (as the aggressor).

"We've got James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota who have just come out of a Grand Final. Those guys will be two of the best players on the field.

"Joseph Tapine is there as well and I think he's the best front-rower in the game, so we've got a pretty handy front row."