Long-serving forward Petero Civoniceva says coach Ricky Stuart has created "something special" within the Kangaroos since Australia hit an embarrassing low in Leeds in 2005.

The 34-Test veteran - one of the stars being rested from Sunday's World Cup super pool group clash with rank underdogs PNG - was a member of the Australian side humiliated 24-0 by New Zealand in the Tri-Nations final at Elland Road on a night the world champions lost their first series in 27 years.

Stuart steps out for Test No.12 on the weekend with a 10-1 record, his only loss to Great Britain in the 2006 Tri-Nations.

Civoniceva, who re-affirmed he'd be staying with Penrith for the full term of his contract, said Stuart, a dual international and premiership winning player and coach, had returned the pride and passion to the Australia jersey since taking over from Wayne Bennett.

"In that 2005 Tri-Nations series we were guilty of taking it (jumper) for granted," said a candid Civoniceva.

"All the talk before the final was all we had to do was to turn up to win that game.

"We were embarrassed and we deserved all the criticism that was thrown our way.

"Our attitude towards the Australian jersey wasn't the attitude it should have been.

"We all felt the disappointment of letting down all those ex-Kangaroos who'd had gone over there before us."

Civoniceva said Stuart had brought former players into the camps and talked about the pride and passion and what it meant to wear the jersey.

"He's made us aware of the responsibility we have to the next group of young men who will put the jersey on and how important it is for us to uphold a high standard of performance to hand on to them when it's their turn," he said.

While Civoniceva would love to be playing on Sunday he's supportive of Stuart's decision to reward other members of his squad with their Test debuts.

"I honestly don't have a problem with it," he said.

"The young guys who are getting their opportunities on the weekend, it's such an exciting time for them.

"Every time I've been able to pull that jersey on I've had to pinch myself because I think how lucky I am to have had the career I've had in an Australian jumper.

"Of course I'd love to play but it's more important to me that there's a chance from the boys to start their representative careers and hopefully they'll have long and fantastic careers."

Rookie Kangaroo winger David Williams is hoping to see a lot of football in his debut.

"I don't want to play my first Test and be holding the chalk all day," he said.

"Just playing for Australia is amazing but to get a couple of tries under my belt would be even better."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP