Call it disrespectful, motivating or just outside noise but the commentary around the Kangaroos forwards had clearly been discussed inside the camp and the response was fearsome.
Confronted by Junior Paulo, Spencer Leniu and in-form edge forwards Francis Manuleleua and Jermaine McEwen, the Australian forwards responded in brutal fashion in a 44-12 semi-final victory over Samoa to punch their ticket to the World Cup Final.
The outside backs were their usual high-octane selves scoring six of the seven tries, but the performance of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Keaon Koloamatangi, Cameron Murray, Jacob Preston and Pat Carrigan well and truly went up a notch.
Carrigan had 17 runs for 163 metres from 43 minutes off the bench while Fa’asuamaleaui had 14 runs for 157 metres in 49 minutes – these two topped the Kangaroos for run metres.
The Siva Tau lights up Sydney
Preston, Koloamatangi and Murray made 15 tackle-breaks between them.
It was enough to silence most critics about the potency of the Kangaroos pack, compared with the likes of Samoa and especially the Kiwis waiting for them next Sunday in Brisbane.
“As much as it gives you a little extra motivation we can’t lose sight of what the goal is,” Fa’asuamaleaui said.
“Easy for them (Kiwis) to say they won the battle back then (Round 1) but we’ve changed since then... it’s been a month so we’ve got to get our prep right and get ready for a massive game.
What you need to know out of the teams for the World Cup Final
“I think a lot of people probably have disrespected us and overshadowed the fact that we did win that first game, and that's OK.
“We’re not getting caught up in it because we have a lot of respect for the Kiwis as a team.
“We definitely discussed it but we won the game and initially we were proud of our effort and our scramble defence on making things happen."
Entering the battle in the 23rd minute when Fa'asuamaleaui was given a break, Carrigan hurled himself at the blue wall with a ferocity befitting a do-or-die semi-final.
“Keaon and ‘T’ laid the foundation really early and I just came on with Cam and just tried to keep our line speed going," he said.
“Those comments are always around but all the outside noise doesn’t affect us.
“If you get caught up in it, it becomes a distraction and that’s your ego talking.
“I’m really passionate and proud to play with these boys and play for our country. There are no egos here – whatever job you need to do you’ve just got to get it done.
“We’ve got great leaders like Yeoy who keep us calm and collected.”
For his part, skipper Isaah Yeo was full of praise for Carrigan and Murray who he said had made the most of getting more opportunity in the middle against Samoa.
"I thought Patty and Cam off the bench were outstanding for us, and particularly Keaon and Tino on how they started the game," he said.
“There’s no stress or inner sort of pressure on the group that they need to go out and perform, or listen to the critics.
“We just want them to keep doing their job and I thought everyone did that."
- Tune into Channel 7 this Sunday to see the Kangaroos and Kiwis battle for World Cup supremacy. LIVE from 6.30pm AEDT
