How many reasons do we need as to why Australia wouldn't throw the game? Let's see.
1) They have too much pride. The Aussies believe they should win every game (and have the talent to back it up) there's no way they're going to throw a game, especially against the poms
2) The Aussies don't fear NZ. Yes NZ probably have a better chance of beating Australia in the final and the games are generally more physical when the two teams come together but Australia aren't running scared enough to actually throw a game of football.
3) If Australia lose next week and then win the final then the 3 matches against GB end with GB winning 2-1. Granted, if Australia win the final the players/coaches/fans won't give a toss about what happened beforehand, but that little bit of Aussie pride (especially against the poms) wouldn't let that result sit well even with the trophy in hand.
4) After what happened last year I would've thought Australia would be keen to face up to the Kiwis in the final this year to bury those demons for good. Last years final was an absolute ambush and one of the most ordinary Aussie performances I've ever seen. I think Australia V New Zealand holds a bit more appeal on that basis.
5) One of the big things Ricky Stuart talked about when appointed was putting pride in the Aussie jumper. To roll over and throw a game less than a year afterwards would be the biggest embarassment in the game. Don't see it happening.
6) Australia will want to play the best team. If the Aussies give it everything and still go down to the Poms for a second consecutive time then GB deserves to be in the final. On the flip side NZ are the defending champions, beat GB in both games and were 8 painful minutes away from beating Australia in that second match.
No matter what happens I think the two teams that make the final will deserve to be there. The saddest thing is the way the whole granny gate thing has overshadowed the games. If GB make the final then they beat Australia twice, Australia beat NZ twice and NZ beat GB twice. There haven't been any real blowouts until last night and even the first Tri Nations game when Australia looked in control, NZ were in it for most of the way and continued competing right until the end.
Whoever makes the final I just hope we don't have another one sided contest. It's been a pretty even series so far and I hope we get a quality final and a close contest.
