MARK ‘SPUDD’ CARROLL: I won’t tip against Australia but New Zealand are best chance of upset in 20 years

It’s taken us four weeks and 17 games to arrive at the World Cup final most of us predicted long ago.

Australia will meet New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium next Sunday in a decider just about everyone saw coming.

Tonga and Samoa played their final last week, bashing each other relentlessly to ensure there was nothing left in the tank for the semi-finals.

It was also emotionally draining for the two proud Pasifika nations, who brought so much colour and passion to this tournament.

They played a big part in ensuring this World Cup wasn’t as flat as three-day-old beer, although it was a hard watch at times.

I know TV ratings and crowds have been strong but there’s really only been three or four games that have been truly competitive.

We need to look at how we structure the next World Cup to ensure only the best of the minnows enter the tournament late in the piece to take on the big four.

Anyway, we’ve got until 2030 to work that out.

So, who wins on Sunday night?

I will never tip against the Kangaroos but I have to say this is the Kiwis’ best chance in nearly 20 years to end Australia’s dominance.

They have been by far the most impressive team in the tournament and now have Kalyn Ponga back and in the best form of his career.

His performance against Tonga just 23 days after breaking his arm was something super-natural.

Jahrome Hughes was the Jahrome Hughes we all know, love and respect, Casey McLean again delivered on the big stage while Jojo Fifita and Tolu Koula ran like they had jet propellors on their boots.

But the engine room is where games are won and lost.

You know you’ve got a bloody awesome forward pack when Naufahu Whyte can’t crack it for a starting spot.

But do the men in black have what it takes to beat the Aussies?

I’m going to say a big “no” on the basis I don’t believe they believe they can do it when it matters most.

They had the Kangaroos on toast in the Cup opener but still couldn’t get across the line.

The hosts were pretty ordinary that night and were in cruise control for the rest of the group games.

Against Samoa last night, the real Australia stood up and showed who’s boss.

I’m expecting a quality final that will be in doubt for most of the journey.

But when the siren sounds, I reckon it will be the Kangaroos by 8 points.

DON’T GET ME STARTED

At a time when we’re seeing a lot of greed in the game, it’s great to see there’s still room for a bit of old-fashioned loyalty.

Penrith superstar Nathan Cleary is about to ink a deal that will make him a Panther for life, signing an extension that will cost him a small fortune but win him even more fans.

The four-time premiership winner could have taken the tax-free dollars on offer in PNG and joined the rest of those who have grabbed the cash ahead of the Chiefs’ start in 2028.

As I’ve written before, I don’t begrudge players chasing coin but I do feel for the likes of Ricky Stuart and Benji Marshall when they see marquee players walk out the door.

Ricky, in particular, has every right to feel filthy over Hudson Young’s exit after backing that kid all the way and turning him into a rep-quality player.

Anyway, Cleary’s decision to stay at Penrith is a win for old school values.

Isaah Yeo and Moses Leota will also likely stay in a further show of solidarity and support.

People don’t want to listen but it’s not going to be all fun and games for those signing on with the Chiefs.

While the footy side of things will be okay, I’m predicting a heap of problems when players and their families are forced to say in compounds without the freedom they enjoy back home.

BEFORE I GO

My first grade career was starting out around the same time Paul Langmack’s was ending, so we didn’t cross paths all that often.

But being a league nut, I was certainly aware of how good a player he was and how important he was to that Canterbury side of the 1980s.

Langmack was a key member of the Dogs of War – arguably the fiercest pack of forwards the game has seen – and a member of three premiership-winning teams.

That’s something incredibly special.

Like everyone in the game, I was shocked to hear of his sudden death on Thursday.

Only 61, it’s way too early to go for one of the truly good guys.

While his rugby league CV is mighty impressive, it’s the work Langmack did after retiring that probably impresses me most.

Way before it became commonplace, he was a big advocate for mental health and went out of his way to ensure ex-players who had fallen on hard times were remembered and looked after.

That’s an area of interest for me as well because I’ve seen too many old players fall through the cracks once their playing days are over.

To Paul’s family and many friends, I offer my condolences and best wishes at this incredibly sad time.