TONIGHT'S Centenary Test is essentially a test of character for the Kiwis as they desperately try to restore lost credibility. The last time they met, in October, the Australians flogged New Zealand 58-0 in a match ARL chairman Colin Love declared had "put the international game back 15 years".

The Kiwis were nothing short of disgraceful in front of a very small and somewhat disinterested home crowd in Wellington. As I walked back to my hotel after the match and talked to the fans, the general consensus was they'd wasted their time showing their support and I sensed they resented the New Zealand players for showing so little passion.

It's hard to argue. Even allowing for the immense talent of this current Australian team, no side would concede that many points unless they had given up at some stage of the contest. I have no doubt there was plenty of "give up" in the Kiwis on that occasion.

Since that embarrassing debacle, the Kiwis have made some significant changes. Most notably they've appointed a new coach in the highly respected Stephen Kearney. They've also called upon the mercurial Broncos' mentor, Wayne Bennett, to assist Kearney in his preparation of the team.

With Bennett in the wings, there's little doubt the Kiwis will at least have a sense of occasion and better understand the enormous responsibility that comes with wearing the national jersey and representing your country.

No one expects the Kiwis to win tonight; but one would hope they are at least prepared to fight for the full 80 minutes and make the Australians work hard for their victory.

International rugby league is essentially dying because Australia has no competition. It doesn't matter which players we select for our national team. Provided they play anywhere near their ability, the Kangaroos have little trouble disposing of the best New Zealand and Great Britain have to offer.

Australia doesn't help this situation, either, especially when it comes to New Zealand. The Kiwis are potentially our greatest opponent but never seem to have their best team on the field.

Firstly, we always seem to schedule matches that clash with important games in England, where a number of New Zealanders now play their football. The Kiwis also don't have the depth to cover injuries to key players.

Secondly, and most importantly, we keep stealing their players. So many kids now are recruited from New Zealand at a young age by NRL clubs, or these kids come to Australia with parents looking for work or a better lifestyle. The ARL then encourages them in their formative years to pledge their allegiance to Australia. I have no problem with people wanting to become Australian; after all, this is the greatest country in the world. But for rugby league's sake, would it not be best to encourage these kids to at least consider playing for their country of heritage?

We have more than enough players in this country. We could pick several teams that would beat the current New Zealand team. However, if eligibility rules were different and everybody that could potentially play for the Kiwis actually did, I think we'd have a very formidable rival.

Anyway, back to tonight. The Kiwis will have to be mentally tough to hang in there for the full duration. I see very little creativity in this team, so I feel points will be very hard to come by.

My fear is that when Australia scores a couple of tries, the Kiwis may lose hope of winning and fail to keep up, leading to another blowout scoreline.

This Australian back line bristles with try-scoring potential, with Billy Slater, Israel Folau, Mark Gasnier, Justin Hodges and Greg Inglis capable of running riot on the fast SCG arena.

The Kangaroos will probably rack up another big number in this one and provide all us Aussie supporters with plenty of scintillating rugby league entertainment. But in the bigger picture, will that be yet another nail in the coffin of the international game, especially with the Rugby League World Cup being played in this country later this year?

I guess it comes all comes down to just how much courage and fight there is in this Kiwi team. I think they carry more responsibility into this game than they could ever imagine.