We’ve struggled in the cricket, the rugby and even at the Olympic Games.

And so a nation hopes for an upturn in fortunes this weekend. It has been a tough year for Australian sport. That is undeniable.

The national cricket team is currently mired in failure and division.

The Rio Olympics was nowhere near as fruitful as hoped, with Australia finishing with 29 medals, its worst return since Barcelona 24 years ago.

And the Wallabies still can’t beat the All Blacks.

But the year can at least be salvaged, in part, if Australia can wrestle back rugby league supremacy from New Zealand in the Four Nations Final on Monday (AEDT).

The Kangaroos dominated the world stage for so long that anything other than big wins used to surprise. But 2014 seemed to signal a changing of the guard.

The Kiwis beat the Kangaroos twice on the way to winning the Four Nations and followed it with a convincing 2015 Anzac Test win.

That success made it three in a row for New Zealand against Australia, the first time it happened in more than 60 years.

How did it happen? Well, Australia’s ‘Dad’s Army’ outfit was bullied and bashed by a young and dynamic Kiwis pack, while Shaun Johnson, crowned the best player in the world, dazzled.

They didn’t fear the Kangaroos anymore, that much was clear, and Tim Sheens had to go as coach.

Tim Sheens had to be removed as coach for Australia to develop. Photo: Getty

In came Mal Meninga, with the mission to revitalise and reshape an ageing Kangaroo outfit. Just like he did with Queensland, Meninga is having an impact.

He has racked up five wins in a row and has Australia humming to a familiar beat.

A slew of veterans have been replaced, with 30-something stalwarts Greg Bird, Paul Gallen, Corey Parker, Luke Lewis and Paul Gallen phased out.

Replacing them have been rookies like Valentine Holmes, Matt Moylan, Jake Trbojevic, Shannon Boyd and Tyson Frizell.

This injection of youth combined with the existing experience has helped spark the squad. Boyd and David Klemmer have given the Kangaroos size, Holmes and Justin O’Neill have added speed and playmakers Moylan and James Maloney bring smarts, depth and know-how.

As for Meninga, he has eradicated the Origin rift that had supposedly plagued past Australian sides. It was said to be bubbling under the surface.

Cameron Smith said Meninga’s impact on the side had been substantial. Photo: AAP

State of Origin has become the beast of rugby league, devouring everything in its wake, from sponsorship money, to TV ratings and revenue.

It has stolen the thunder of both the NRL season and the international calendar and had turned national teammates into bitter provincial rivals.

Meninga has stopped that, with Origin warriors like Gallen and Parker left at home, while others like Holmes and Trbojevic – yet to play Origin – have been included.

“There’s been talk about that [divide] in the past,” Cameron Smith said this week. “I’ve never felt there’s been a Queensland/New South Wales divide … but for whatever reason, I just feel that this group is as close as its ever been in an Australian side.

“That may be a result of Mal and his beliefs around the Kangaroos and what we stand for. We’re all on the same page.”

There are few more decorated Kangaroos than Meninga.

He played 46 Tests for Australia, a feat only bettered by Smith and Darren Lockyer. And he has quickly proven his worth as a coach.

But this is his litmus test. Victory and Australia will return to the top of the rugby league tree.

Defeat will only spark selection discussion and queries, particularly with the World Cup on home soil in less than 12 months.

Over to you, Mal and Co.