No one was more relieved than Anthony Minichiello when the Kangaroos dodged one of the great upsets in rugby league history and beat the USA Tomahawks in their international in Philadelphia.

The world champion Kangaroos won 36-24, but only after overcoming a rude shock in the form of a 24-6 halftime deficit to one of the sport's minnows.

Minichiello was given the honour of leading the team onto the field after winning the Harry Sunderland Medal, awarded to Australia's international player of the year.

For a while it looked as though he had led them into disaster.

The Australians were out-played by a team of part-time footballers for 40 minutes before a sparse crowd of about 4,500 at Franklin Field, a stadium capable of holding more than 50,000 spectators.

But the Kangaroos, coming off a comprehensive 44-4 victory over Great Britain in the Tri Nations final in Leeds at the weekend, awoke and scored five tries to none in the final two quarters to finish their triumphant tour on a positive note.

"I've got a 100 per cent record now," said fullback Minichiello.

"I was honoured to lead the Australians out. It was unreal."

Everyone was caught off guard early.

At the end of the first quarter - the game was played in four 20 minute quarters rather than two halves - they trailed 12-0.

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