Senior players have vowed to ensure the rookies in the Australian team understand the culture behind the green-and-gold jersey that has meant the Kangaroos have not lost back-to-back Tests since 1978.
After losing 30-12 to New Zealand last weekend, the Kangaroos face the prospect of being the first Australian team in 60 years to miss the final of a tournament if they are beaten by England on Sunday in Melbourne.
The nature of the loss by a team featuring five players making their Test debuts has raised concerns about the future of the Kangaroos as many members of the squad that won last year's World Cup are unlikely to be involved in the next one.
But Sam Thaiday, Greg Inglis and Cooper Cronk said it was up to them and the other senior players to pass on the habits and attitude that have enabled Australia to dominate the game internationally for so long.
"We have done a lot of things in this Australian team and we have been a part of history, but that part of history we don't want to be a part of – we don't want to be known as the first team in that period of time that hasn't made the final," Thaiday said.
"We have got some young guys there who are outstanding players but do need some guidance and some leadership so guys like myself and Greg Bird need to really stand up this week and have an absolute blinder and lead this forward pack.
"It is not going to be too much longer before these guys will take over from what we have built so I will just try to lead by example and hopefully when I am done and dusted I can sit back and know these young guys are going to take over and give their all for Australia."
Inglis said there was plenty of talent among the younger brigade but they had been taught a valuable lesson last Saturday night in Brisbane.
"We have got a good mixture of young and old in this team," Inglis said. "I think there are 14 guys who haven't played more than three Tests but at the end of the day we are here for a reason and that is to represent Australia the best way we can.
"I think most of the boys in this team may not have known what Test football is all about but the Kiwis showed us that last week. We have just got to aim up and start better than we did and play for the whole 80 minutes instead of just half a game."
With captain Cameron Smith, Bird and fellow forwards Corey Parker, Beau Scott, Ryan Hoffman and Robbie Farah all over 30 years of age and Thaiday 29, the likes of Boyd Cordner, Aaron Woods and Josh Papalii are expected to be the cornerstone of future Australian packs.
There will be at least one more debutant against England, with 18-year-old Newcastle winger Sione Mata'utia named in place of Daniel Tupou and Brisbane halfback Ben Hunt and Canterbury prop David Klemmer under consideration for bench spots.
Cronk said he had faith in the young talent but it would be up to the senior players to lead the way as the Kangaroos attempt to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time since being beaten 2-0 in the 1978 Test series against France.
"We are a little bit nervous about the task that is in front of us, England are a great team but we are very confident we can play well," Cronk said.
"We were like that last week, no matter your position in the team, senior player or younger player, you know your role so we need to get the job done and represent Australia to the best of our ability."
