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Darren Lockyer.
Kangaroos captain Darren Lockyer has claimed he deserves
a large slice of blame for Australia's shock World Cup final
loss to New Zealand last November.Lockyer, who has played 24 of
his 45 tests as skipper, criticised his leadership in that
34-20 defeat as the Kangaroos prepared make some "amends"
against the world champion Kiwis at Suncorp Stadium again on
Friday night.
The champion playmaker blew a try when he fumbled the ball
over the line early in the final.
But Lockyer says it was his failure to assert his leadership
when the match was teetering that really disappointed him.
"I thought about it long and hard for two or three weeks,"
said Lockyer. "When you lose a big game, a lot of what-ifs go
through your mind.
"We had an easy run to the final and none of our games were
ever in the balance.
"There was a moment in the final when the game was in the
balance and we didn't respond as well as we should have.
"As captain I feel that was part of my role which is why I
felt so disappointed in myself.
"I put my hand up and say I should have been one of those
guys that should have given the players some direction."
Lockyer's comments nobly deflected criticism from his many
teammates who have also been given a shot at redemption in
Australia's team under new coach Tim Sheens.
But prop Brent Kite said Lockyer was being too hard on
himself.
"I'm sure Darren being the captain he would have felt that
way but none of the players felt that way," Kite said.
However, Lockyer said the Kiwis won't exactly be quivering in
their boots at the prospect of facing the Kangaroos again.
"They've beaten us in the two games that matter in the past
three years," said Lockyer, referring to the World Cup final
and Australia's 24-0 Tri Nations series final loss in 2005
which he missed through injury.
"They're definitely not intimidated by us by any means."
Sheens, who takes over from Ricky Stuart, admitted nothing
would make up for the World Cup final loss on home soil for
the players.
"It's a chance for them to, well, I won't use the word
revenge, because you are not going to win back the World
Cup," Sheens said.
"This is their chance to make amends to themselves and each
other." However, Sheens feared New Zealand were an even
stronger opposition with the addition of South Sydney prop
Roy Asotasi.
"You'd have to say so," Sheens said.
"They will have the confidence from last year (which) they
will take into the game.
"And then you've got technically two of the better players in
the world in their positions - it is only going to make them
feel that much more confident." Meanwhile, Sheens is set to
make a final decision on Dragons winger Darius Boyd (thigh)
on Tuesday while bench forward Luke Bailey (knee) will be on
light training duties.
Canberra's Joel Monaghan is on standby for Boyd.
"If he (Boyd) can't stretch out tomorrow, he will be
unlucky," Sheens said.
