Leeds: Kangaroos star Valentine Holmes has compared the hostility his side is receiving from English crowds at the World Cup to the aura surrounding the All Blacks.
Australia edged out New Zealand in a thrilling semi-final clash in Leeds on Saturday but it was a disappointing result for the crowd who were heavily favouring the Kiwis.
It’s a theme which has followed the Kangaroos throughout the tournament and things will be no different when they face Samoa in the final at Old Trafford on Sunday AEDT.
But Holmes is embracing the hate, and revealed the Australians are determined to make a mockery of their world No. 4 ranking.
“(Hostile crowds) is something we’ve spoken about,” Holmes said.
“A lot of teams and fans know we’re a pretty world-class team and they like to see us lose and you could say the same thing about the All Blacks, everyone tries to beat them and that’s like us.
“We’re a good team, we know that. (But) we’re not ranked in the top three so we’ve been thinking about that and we try to put our best foot forward.”
Josh Addo-Carr has scored a record-equaling 12 tries at this World Cup and remarked earlier in the tournament that he couldn’t work out the English crowds.
The Kangaroos wingers pointed out that one minute fans were sledging him, and the next cheerings one of his runaway tries.
Holmes said the English crowds might be hostile towards Australians but pointed out they still respect quality rugby league.
“The players we have in our team are all world class… I think everyone knows that. They love watching us but they love teams scoring on us too.
“So they still kind of go for us, but it’s always good (for the crowd) when it’s a close game.”
Nathan Cleary and Cameron Murray have loved the hostility and said they can’t wait to run out at Manchester United’s home ground Old Trafford for the final.
“The crowd was mad (against New Zealand), that’s definitely the best crowd I’ve had so far and they were loud and they were into it,” Cleary said.
“It’s actually a really cool stadium to play as well, I’ve watched EPL there on TV so it was a pinch yourself moment.
“I’m so excited to play at Old Trafford, I was a United fan growing up and just going there to watch a game you get goosebumps so playing there is going to be crazy.
“The energy in the crowd is what you want to be a part of, whether it’s with you or against you, it gets you up and you want to knock it off, it’s something I’m looking forward to.”
Murray is expecting the Old Trafford crowd to get behind the Samoans who are rank outsiders to upset Australia.
“We take it as a compliment, everyone backs the underdog and we’re seen as the favourite,” Murray said.
“So we just embrace the crowd, whether they’re cheering for us or against us we’ll embrace the atmosphere and try and have fun.”
