The Kiwis' dominance is sneaking up on everyone. If we look back to the corresponding Test last season coach Stephen Kearney had the courage to look to the future after a disappointing 2013 World Cup final. There was a lot of commentary at the time about who had been left out of the side, not who was in it. Another thrashing was expected. At half time the Kiwis led 18-12 against a Kangaroos team who may have been guilty of taking things a little easy. The World Champs came out with more intensity in the second half and eventually wore down their younger, less experienced opposition 30-18.

Looking back now the Kiwis got a lot more out of that Test than the Kangaroos. In the first game of last year’s Four Nations they were too strong for Australia with a convincing 30-12 victory, a good confidence builder against an Aussie team without Jonathon Thurston and a few other regulars. Both teams met again in the final and most thought the Roos would prevail. The Kiwis led at half time and hung on in a thriller 22 -18. Another great win for a young team building in belief.

Fast forward to the 2015 Anzac Test and this time the Aussies have Thurston back. Having lost the last two matches, they have a point to prove. The Kiwis were full of confidence and aggression. They put Australia to the Sword with one of the best first half displays ever seen by a New Zealand team. Leading 26-6 at half time the game was over. The really impressive thing though was their composure and belief in the second half. Playing without both the ball and field position they were happy to dig in defensively and deny Australia any chance of a comeback. That was something that maybe a year or so ago they wouldn’t have handled as well.

I noticed after the game Cameron Smith suggested that the Kangaroos may have been guilty once again of a little complacency. After last Sunday complacency should not be an issue in the future, but has the damage been done?

You don’t defeat Australia three times in a row without a good side with a great attitude. On top of that the Kiwis now believe in themselves more than ever. Their forwards – Ben Matulino, Jesse Bromwich, Tohu Harris, Kevin Proctor and MartinTaupau are big and aggressive and have outmuscled Australia in the last three tests. Shaun Johnson, Kieron Foran, Isaac Luke and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck are an excellent spine playing off the back of that muscle. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Frank Pritchard, Sam Kasiano and Konrad Hurrell missed selection, while Jason Taumalolo and Alex Glenn were injured.

In 2006 there was a Queensland side building that NSW probably didn’t take seriously enough after dominating Origin football for years. Before they knew it, they were so far behind, it took them until 2014 to win another series. This New Zealand team deserves a lot of respect. They are a serious football team with a lot of depth. Obviously they are long way from a Maroons-type dynasty, however they are still building and we are still complacent?

Now, the Anzac Test should be on Anzac Day. I know Roosters and St George fans will be bagging the hell out of me, but the half empty stadium was a terrible sight (yes it was rescheduled from Friday). Put it on as a stand-alone game on Anzac Day in front of a packed stadium in Australia or New Zealand. They are the best of the best representing their countries in respect of such an emotional and historic event.

It would be a game that brings both countries together for one day a year for a real test match. The game has struggled in the past to sell international football. The Anzac Day Test can be a real showpiece of the season.