By Brad Lewis
The Kiwis have been all but written off for the ANZAC League Test against the Kangaroos with all the talk based around how depleted the New Zealand side is through injury and other off-field issues and the Mal Meninga era kicking off with a bang.
But there have been several occasions in the past where Australian sides have entered clashes with their little cousins across the ditch full of confidence and that arrogance that we despise, but when it was all said and done, the smiles were on Kiwi faces while the Aussies left with their tails firmly planted between their legs.
So here's some reasons to believe...
(Getty Images)
The Kangaroos featured the likes of Billy Slater, Darren Lockyer, Greg Inglis, Israel Falou and Cameron Smith. They had waltzed through the tournament with consummate ease including a comfortable win over the Kiwis in the opening game.
A 10-0 head start seemed to lead to a false sense of security but come the full time siren, with the help of a horrific (or hilarious, depending on you viewpoint) blunder from Billy Slater, the Kiwis were Rugby League World Champions.
The Kiwis closed out the last 20 minutes in style to shock the Kangaroos, the Nine commentary team, and the Suncorp Stadium crowd with a 34-20 victory.
(Credit - Anthony Phelps)
No doubt the nation all took the ride on the road to Spain in 1981, but if you ask the Australians they will tell you that we stole their ticket.
The All Whites were very much the underdog in their first round pool match which included minnows Fiji and Chinese Taipei, along with favourites Australia. A 3-3 draw against Australia at Mt Smart Stadium gave the All Whites some hope for optimism but no one could have predicted what would happen as the two teams met at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Goals to Steve Wooden and Grant Turner sealed a dominant All White performance and booked New Zealand a place in the second round of the long and memorable qualification process, and the rest, as they say, is history.
(Getty Images)
Defending Commonwealth netball champions Australia hardy missed a beat in breezing through pool play and the semi finals and headed into the Gold Medal match as heavy favourites against a equally impressive Silver Ferns side.
The result will live in the memory for many Kiwi sports fans as one of the most dramatic sporting events this decade with our Kiwi girls snatching victory from the jaws of defeat thanks to an extra time stunner from Maria Tutaia.
(Getty Images)
The Black Caps were coming off a hefty defeat in Brisbane thanks to a dominant performance from the Baggy Greens. What made this result even more of a shock was the loss of Daniel Vettori before play on the first morning, leading to a debut for future World Cup hero Trent Boult.
New Zealand never quite felt in control of the match and probably should have had a bigger lead than 241, but a magnificent performance from Doug Bracewell with 6/40 ensured a great afternoon for all of those with Australians in the office. Never ones to lie down, the Aussies got one back when David Warner was announced Man of the Match.
(Getty Images)
Despite being able to call on the likes of Pero Cameron, Kirk Penny, Phill Jones and Dillon Boucher, no one predicted a Tall Blacks series win over 3 games.
The Boomers had NBA level talent in their side and future Breaker CJ Bruton but the Tall Blacks were aggressive and clinical. Coupled with the tactical genius of Tab Baldwin the Kiwis boys were on their way to Indianapolis and basketball history with a fourth place World Cup finish, while the Aussies watched from their couches.
Newshub.
