Australian prop Aaron Woods has backed coach Mal Meninga after Woods had an extended stint on the field against Scotland.

“Mal has been unreal and told me to play my normal game,” Woods said.

“He gave me a bit of extra time and I was happy enough to stay on the field.

“I didn’t put any extra pressure on myself.

“As long as I go out there and do my job for the team I know I’ve done the best job I can.”

Woods also praised his fellow bookended David Klemmer and Jake Trbojevic for the frantic start in their big win over the Scots.

“We just wanted to start fast,” he said.

“If you don’t start well in these games you find yourselves 12-16 points behind. That was the focus all week to start fast and get over the advantage line and making our tackles in defence. It’s a Test match, you have to start fast. It’s part of the game.

“Myself, Dave Klemmer and Jake Trbojevic wanted to get the boys on the front foot to let Coops (Cooper Cronk) and Jimmy Maloney play off the back of it.”