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As Australia and New Zealand prepare to resume hostilities in this weekends Four Nations rugby league final, history, form and the UBET odds all point heavily in favour of a Kangaroos victory.The Kiwis will be armed with a strong weapon though - albeit a weapon they would prefer not to have.Tragedy can invoke some very powerful emotions and in times of hardship, people are often inspired to achieve goals that may otherwise seem forlorn.The recent earthquake in New Zealand has shocked the world, especially the Kiwi rugby league team, but this will provide additional motivation as they attempt to lift their nations flagging spirits.?Former New Zealand captain Gary Freeman told ESPN that the tragedy is sure to provide added inspiration for the players but they must be able to handle it correctly.When you throw so much emotion into this game it can go against you, Freeman said.I think theyll be motivated more from last weeks poor performance against Scotland.The boys would know themselves that they can play better.It would seem that the Kiwis have little to be confident about heading into the game - they have already faced the Kangaroos on three occasions this year; losing all three, conceding 56 points and scoring just 14 across 240 minutes of football.I always remember an old coach of mine Warren Ryan saying, the more losses you have, the closer you are to your first win, Freeman said.This is the number one game, this is the game the Kiwis have to win and theyll have to step up to the mark.The Kiwis understand that a win over old rivals Australia will provide a small slice of happiness to the grief-stricken people in their homeland, but Freeman believes pride in their own performance will be motivation enough.I think theyll be motivated from last weeks poor performance against Scotland. The boys would know themselves that they can play better, Freeman told ESPN.As an ex-player, we drew some games and lost some games against opposition that we knew we shouldve beaten and the following week wed stood up to be counted.People only remember the last game and the only game theyre going to remember out of this whole tournament is this final game.Lewis Brown, Jordan Rapana and Joseph Tapine originate from the earthquake affected areas and although their families are safe and well, Freeman expects them to lead from the front for the Kiwis at Anfield.But the man affectionately known as Wiz believes the biggest advantage New Zealand have is psychological; the Kiwis have won on three of the past four occasions when meeting Australia in a final.However, sport doesnt always go to script and in what has been the year of the underdog, New Zealand will privately consider themselves a serious chance of reclaiming the Four Nations title.Absolutely, the Aussies will be trying to rectify, but if Ireland can beat the All Blacks then we can beat Australia. Freeman said.In reality, the Kiwis are probably fortunate just to be in the final - their only win of the tournament was a less than convincing one point victory in their opening match against England.New Zealand have limped into the final after an 18-all draw with minnows Scotland; an embarrassing result which was ultimately the difference between preparing for the final or preparing for a flight home.It wasnt their greatest match against Scotland, but sometime that can lead you into a false sense of security when youre the Australian side, Freeman told ESPN.Have the Aussies peaked too early? Have they produced their best game one before the big one? Theyve done that previously.You have to remember, New Zealand are the world champions and they will stand up to be counted.In the Kangaroos camp though, confidence couldnt be higher; they have stormed into the final undefeated and racked up an impressive 104 points while conceding just 38; but Freeman pointed out that it will mean absolutely nothing unless they come out on top in the final 80 minutes of the tournament.It doesnt really matter whats happened before. Its whats going to happen this weekend, Freeman said.All of the people back home in New Zealand will be up watching so theres a lot on the line for our boys; theres a lot on the line in this game.A strong start is vital to New Zealands chances and how they harness their emotions in the opening 20 minutes could prove decisive in the outcome of the match.New Zealand captain Jesse Bromwich identified the 2013 World Cup final as an example of why it is so important for his side to be on their game from the opening whistle.Australia ambushed the Kiwis on that occasion by jumping out to a healthy halftime advantage before going on with the job in the second half to thrash New Zealand 34-2 at Old Trafford.If theres anything weve learned, its probably about our start. They came out really hard there, blew us off the park really early and we just couldnt find our feet after that, New Zealand captain Jesse Bromwich said.Its a big ask against Australia, theyve got a very big forward pack. But its something weve been working on, and hopefully we can show that on Sunday.Australia Kangaroos: TBANew Zealand Kiwis: TBAVenue:?Anfield, LiverpoolKick-off: 1.30am AEDT, Monday 21st November, 2016.Key Stats:New Zealand have won three of the last four tournament finals when playing Australia. (2008 World Cup, 2010, 2014 Four Nations)Australia have a 74 percent winning record against New Zealand (Played 133, Won 98, Lost 32, Drawn 3).Johnathan Thurston, Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Greg Inglis are unbeaten on UK soil in?14 Tests.UBET verdict:$1.25 Australia, $4.00 New ZealandAustralia has been the standout team in the 2016 Four Nations tournament and will deservedly start heavy favourites to regain the title and rugby leagues world number one ranking from New Zealand.But despite advancing to the Anfield showpiece undefeated, Mal Meninga and his men will know that the campaign will be considered a monumental failure if they dont finish the job this weekend.Everything points to a Kangaroos victory but favourtism brings a degree of pressure and they will also have their hands full dealing dealing with an emotion-charged Kiwi side motivated by the recent earthquake tragedy in New Zealand.The Kangaroos should still have too much skill and class for the Kiwis but this encounter promises to be the most even contest of the previous three theyve already played this year.Weather:?Liverpool is expecting scattered showers throughout the day with a temperature of 6 degrees for kick-off.Prediction:?Australia by 8. Louis Williams Clippers Jersey . Belfort (24-10) needed just 77 seconds to down Henderson in the headlining bout of Saturdays "UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson" event at Goiania Arena in Goiania, Brazil. The fight served as a rematch of the pairs 2006 meeting, which Henderson won by decision. Lou Williams Clippers Jersey . That gave fans outside Joe Louis Arena another chance to ask for autographs from the 19-year-old whose stardom in the NHL has arrived earlier than most expected. https://www.clipperslockerroom.com/ . The 31-year-old Spain midfielder hasnt played since Madrid lost in the Copa del Rey final to Atletico Madrid in May due to back and foot injuries. Chris Paul Jersey .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. Terance Mann Jersey . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. Even with the Falcons at Denver, the perfect Vikings hosting Houston and the unbeaten Eagles returning from their bye to face Detroit, the spotlight is on Cleveland in Week 5. And no, the 0-4 Browns arent the attraction. Tom Brady is.Back from his Deflategate four-game suspension, Brady isnt talking much. Anyone who has watched him win four Super Bowls and two league MVP honors knows how much of an edge he will bring to Sundays game.That might be even sharper after New England was blanked at home by Buffalo following three victories.Of course, if you seek any wisdom from Foxborough, thats a dead end. The Browns provided more insight on the quarterback they will face than any of the Patriots managed about Brady.I think he is going to come back and just be ready to go. He is a true professional, Browns cornerback Joe Haden says.Whenever he is out on the field, he studies professionally, he knows where he wants to go with the ball and he is confident in his players. Him and his coach, they have been together for so long so they just know each other like the back of their hands. I think that he is going to come back in midseason form.If the Browns already are in midseason form, they could be a threat to equal Detroits 0-16 season of 2008.The action began Thursday night with visiting Arizonas 33-21 victory over San Francisco. Drew Stanton threw two touchdown passes to Larry Fitzgerald in his first start in two years, David Johnson ran for two scores and the Cardinals (2-3) capitalized on mistakes by San Francisco (1-4).Stanton played in place of Carson Palmer, the Arizona starter sidelined by a concussion.Off this week are Jacksonville (1-3), New Orleans (1-3), Kansas City (2-2) and Seattle (3-1).Atlanta (3-1) at Denver (4-0)Clearly the best matchup this week, the Falcons come off a blowout win over Carolina, which the Broncos barely edged in the season opener. Of course, Denver manhandled the Panthers in the Super Bowl, and its defense is just as good, if not better.That presents a hefty challenge for the Falcons , whose offense is ranked atop the league, led by Matt Ryan throwing to Julio Jones. Atlanta has scored 152 points, 38 more than anyone else.So this is a classic powerful offense vs. dominant defense matchup.We dont want to be the team on the other side of a 500-yard game by Matt Ryan, so it just motivates us to prepare even harder, Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib says. It fires us up to go compete against the best. Julio and Matt Ryan are the best right now in the league, so it fires us up to go compete against them.Jones returns the compliments when asked about Denvers secondary, even as he prepares to try to victimize the Broncos.Just their whole defense is a great defense, probably one of the best defenses were going to face this year, Jones says. Its not more about them, its more about us. Weve got to go there and do what we do. They have great athletes, and definitely in the secondary and their front seven is very, very good. It comes down to us and our execution.Houston (3-1) at Minnesota (4-0)Wow, do the Vikings look good. And whoa, for a first-place team, do the Texans look mediocre.If it wasnt for Denvers outrageous defense, the football world would be in awe of Minnesotas. Not since 1988 have the Vikings allowed fewer points (50) through four games than this season. They also lead the NFL with a plus-10 turnover margin; their only giveaway was a lost fumble by safety Andrew Sendejo during his own fumble return.Houston has beaten Chicago, Kansas City and Tennessee in unimpressive fashion, and didnt show up for its toughest opponent, a 27-0 loss at the Patriots. The Texans best player, DE J.J. Watt (back) is gone for the season.Philadelphia (3-0) at Detroit (1-3)Theres plenty of eagerness, and a bit of trepidation, in Philly as the Eagles get back on the field. Their fans are thrilled by the quick start behind rookie quarterback Carson Wentz but also wonder if it is for real.Beating Detroit doesnt prove a lot, but losing to the Lions, even on the road, could be a sign the first three weeks were something of a mirage in Philadelphia.Really in my opinion our season starts now, coach Doug Pederson says. What weve done already is great and were in a good position, but we need to buckle down and prepare as if this is Week 1.Why has Detroit dropped three in a row? Try ranking second with 370 yards in penalties and third with 39 penalties in total. Plus, the Lions have only one pick and have not recovered a fumble.Cincinnati (2-2) at Dallas (3-1)Finally, Cowboys rookie QB Dak Prescott faces a solid defense. If he passes this test, Dallas might be onto something at quarterback while Tony Romo heals. Prescott has thrown a rookie-record 131 passes without an interception to start his career, tied with Hall of Famer Warren Moon for second overall behind Brady (162).This one could be decided on the ground. Cincinnati hasnt allowed a rushing TD this season, while the Cowboys have NFL-leading eight. Dallas rookie Ezekiel Elliott leads the league in rushing with 412 yards.Then again, the Bengals have one of the sports most dangerous receivers, A.J. Green, who has two games this season with 10 catches.New York Jets (1-3) at Pittsburgh (3-1)Onne of the worst matchups possible for the reeling Jets: New York trails the overall series 19-5 and is 1-9 in Pittsburgh.ddddddddddddf the Jets dont tidy up, they could get rocked at Heinz Field. Their 13 turnovers are the most in the NFL and Ryan Fitzpatricks 10 interceptions lead the league. Hes also 0-4 against the Steelers.Ben Roethlisbergers 11 TD passes are tied for the NFL high with Atlantas Ryan, and he is 31-10 in October. His top target, 2015 All-Pro Antonio Brown, has four TD receptions, also tied for the league lead. Running back LeVeon Bell rolled up 178 yards of total offense in his 2016 debut last Sunday night after serving a three-game suspension.Washington (2-2) at Baltimore (3-1)Despite having stadiums a half-hour apart on I-95, these franchises have met only five times in real games. Washingtons last win in Baltimore was in 1955 against the Colts.Ravens coach John Harbaugh can pass Brian Billick for most regular-season wins in franchise history with 81. Hell rely on a defense ranked atop the league that has allowed only eight plays of at least 20 yards, fewest in the NFL. With RB Terrance West coming off his best game, Baltimore gets to test the NFLs second-worst rushing defense, which has yielded eight TDs on the ground and 133 yards rushing per game.Buffalo (2-2) at Los Angeles (3-1)Both teams are feeling very good about themselves.Buffalo comes off a shutout at Foxborough, the first time the Patriots have been blanked in Gillette Stadium. The Bills have won twice since Greg Roman was canned as offensive coordinator and replaced by Anthony Lynn, and they get back DT Marcell Dareus from a four-game suspension for his second violation of the leagues substance abuse policy.Not only have the Rams won three in a row after an awful opener, they are winning despite ranking dead last in total offense. Theres nothing wrong with the defense, led by Aaron Donald, and if RB Todd Gurley, last years top offensive rookie, can get going, Los Angeles might have a contender in its first season back in the NFL.Tampa Bay (1-3) at Carolina (1-3), Monday nightIt would be tempting to bury the loser of this prime-time affair, especially in light of Atlantas hot start. And it would be easier to do so with the Buccaneers, who cant avoid turnovers (nine) and are allowing 32 points an outing.Carolina starts backup QB Derek Anderson with Cam Newton out with a concussion. What the Panthers really seem to need is rapid development in the secondary; the decision to let Josh Norman leave in free agency has been biting the conference champions.Anderson isnt mobile like Newton, and Carolinas line has allowed 13 sacks.San Diego (1-3) at Oakland (3-1)If you want a definition of self-destruction, simply look at the Chargers lack of a finishing touch. They have given up 51 points in the first three quarters combined and 51 points in fourth quarter. San Diego led all four games at the two-minute warning but lost three.Oakland has won three in a row despite a sieve of a defense. The previous time Oakland was 4-1 was 2002, the season when the Raiders won the AFC title. Placekicker Sebastian Janikowski needs five points to become the 13th player with 1,700 in his career.Tennessee (1-3) at Miami (1-3)Both teams have been keeping one eye on Hurricane Matthew while preparing. In a scheduling oddity, the Titans will play a team coming off a longer layoff after playing on a Thursday night for the second straight week; they lost to Houston last Sunday.Dont look for much offense here with Tennessee at the bottom of the NFL in scoring with 62 points and Miami unable to run the ball, averaging 61 yards per game. The Dolphins rank last in third-down conversions (27 percent) and tied for 31st with 65 first downs.New York Giants (2-2) at Green Bay (2-1)The Pack is back -- from a bye. Seeing the Giants would seem to be a good way to return considering how inept New Yorks injury-depleted secondary has been. Aaron Rodgers must be eager as all get-out to get on the field, but he should remember that the Giants have won two huge games there in the playoffs in 2008 and 2012.Green Bay is holding opponents to a league-stingiest 1.8 yards rushing per play. The Giants rank 19th running the ball.The Packers have been vulnerable through the air, though. In their past two outings, they allowed career-best days to Lions WR Marvin Jones (six catches, 205 yards, two TDs) and Vikings WR Stefon Diggs (nine catches, 182 yards, one TD).Chicago (1-3) at Indianapolis (1-3)Not too far a drive for Bears fans to make. Why they would want to make it, we dont know.Actually, the Bears got off the schneid with their win over Detroit last weekend, and in their only trips to Lucas Oil Stadium, they won the buildings debut game in 2008, and then knocked off the Colts in Andrew Lucks first game in 2012.Indy running back Frank Gore needs 20 yards rushing to pass Jim Brown -- yes Jim Brown -- for No. 9 on NFLs career list. Adam Vinatieri has made 33 consecutive field goals, three short of his own career best in Indy.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '