The pain of New Zealand's semi-final defeat to Australia four years ago is driving Jahrome Hughes in his bid to lead the Kiwis to IRL Rugby League World Cup glory.

New Zealand led 2022 semi-final 14-10 at half-time before a Cam Murray try put the Kangaroos in front with 27 minutes to play.

The Kiwis had a number of chances to hit back but were unable to break through Australia's desperate defence.

As New Zealand's on-field general, Hughes blamed himself for the loss and will carry that pain into Thursday's showdown with the Kangaroos to kick off the World Cup at Allianz Stadium.

Jahrome Hughes is eager to lead New Zealand past the Kangaroos in Thursday's World Cup opener. Picture: NRL Photos.

"Getting so close in 2022 and losing to Australia in the semi-final, there's still a bit of fire in the belly," Hughes said. "I take a lot of blame for losing that game.

"It’s fuelling that fire and making sure that doesn’t happen again. That’s what happened in that last World Cup. I feel like it’s worked for me already with my preparation and my mindset going into this tournament.”

A crowd exceeding 40,000 fans is expected to pack into Allianz Stadium for a match that will give the winner pole position for the World Cup.

Hughes was a 14-year-old who had just moved to the Gold Coast when New Zealand hoisted the Paul Barrière Trophy for the first and only time back in 2008.

The playmaker has fond memories of watching Benji Marshall lead his nation to a stunning upset over the Kangaroos at Suncorp Stadium.

Should all go to plan, Hughes will have a chance to emulate the 2008 side at the same ground in just over a month. Having fallen short four years ago, the halfback is desperate not to let this opportunity slip.

"I think back to '08 when I was a kid and how that win made me feel," Hughes said. "If we were to lift that trophy at the end of this World Cup, the things it would do for the kids back home in New Zealand and all our supporters would be special.

"Seeing the way our game has grown over there, it's a credit to the Warriors. We see all the hype they've got over there and the new fans they've got. For us to win it would be really special, not just for us players but the whole country."

While he still carries the pain of defeat four years ago, Hughes also knows the elation of victory over the Kangaroos.

The halfback's last outing in a Kiwis jumper was a record 30-0 trouncing of Australia in the 2023 Pacific Championships final.

While injuries have prevented Hughes from lining up for New Zealand in the past two years, he said this year's camp has plenty of similarities to 2023.

"It was an awesome experience," he said. "Being able to win the Pacific Championships with the quality of that Kangaroos team and the way we did it.

"The feeling in the camp the whole campaign, we worked hard to build something special and we were able to end it on a high. I haven't been in camp since then but this camp's got a similar feel and we've got some great leaders in our captain [James Fisher-Harris]."

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