WITH Australia set to take on USA in the quarter finals of the Rugby League World Cup, we take a look at the last time the Kangaroos took on a booming international powerhouse - Russia.

In the video above, former Test stars Bryan Fletcher and Nathan Hindmarsh recount the epic thriller from the 2000 edition of the Cup.

Hindmarsh recalls he made the "worst mistake in my rugby league career" by tripping a Russian player when Australia were leading by just 72 points late in the game.

Soviet sharpshooter Romanov, who "once kicked for the KGB", missed the crucial penalty from right in front.

Australia went on to scrape home 110-4.

Check out Hindmarsh and Fletcher's hilarious recount of the game above.