Kangaroos vs Kiwis – Friday night – Allianz Stadium
Kangaroos
- Billy Slater (Melbourne Storm)
- Darius Boyd (Newcastle Knights)
- Greg Inglis (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
- Josh Morris (Canterbury Bulldogs)
- Brett Morris (St George Illawarra Dragons)
- Jonathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm)
- Matt Scott (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Cameron Smith (c) (Melbourne Storm)
- James Tamou (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Greg Bird (Gold Coast Titans)
- Matt Gillett (Brisbane Broncos)
- Paul Gallen (Cronulla Sharks)
- Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly Sea Eagles)
- Boyd Cordner (Sydney Roosters)
- Nate Myles (Gold Coast Titans)
- Corey Parker (Brisbane Broncos)
Kiwis
- Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Sydney Roosters)
- Peta Hiku (Manly Sea Eagles)
- Gerard Beale (St George Illawarra Dragons)
- Dean Whare (Manly Sea Eagles)
- Jason Nightingale (St George Illawarra Dragons)
- Isaac John (Penrith Panthers)
- Shaun Johnson (New Zealand Warriors)
- Sam Moa (Sydney Roosters)
- Saliva Havili (New Zealand Warrors)
- Jesse Bromwich (Melbourne Storm)
- Kevin Proctor (Melbourne Storm)
- Simon Mannering (c) (New Zealand Warriors)
- Adam Blair (Wests Tigers)
- Greg Eastwood (Canterbury Bulldogs)
- Tohu Harris (Melbourne Storm)
- Ben Henry (New Zealand Warriors)
- Martin Taupau (Wests Tigers)
Note: team line-ups are subject to change. Rosters will be updated as amendments filter through.
First and foremost I wish to say that I love international rugby league. It's apparent to all that rugby league doesn't have the global strength or exposure of soccer or even rugby union. Rugby league has never pretended that it does. Those that undermine the importance of international matches are singing the same tune as those that decried the expansion of the NSWRL to a national competition all those years ago. The game is better for it and the players are wealthier for it, so I say bravo. Including the Warriors in our 'national' competition has also driven, at least in part, profound improvements in the quality of the Kiwi national team. They are fitter and faster and proud as ever. I love their enthusiasm, and their haka makes their All Black counterparts look like line-dancers. Through no fault of their own the Kiwis haven't been able to name their best seventeen for Friday night, and unfortunately for them they face an opponent that has. It's a huge ask for a team without a lot of experience at this level. Of course they will give it their all, but it's likely they'll come up short. Many of those in the Kangaroos line-up will be drawing closer to the ends of their international careers. At least four of them are once-in-a-generation players, and I could entertain arguments about two or three others being labelled with that tag. If the result is a blow-out on Friday night many will ridicule the game on an international level. Such people are unable to listen with their ears, but they are wrong. This Kangaroos line-up is simply an outstanding team, and one of the best Australian sides in any sport we've ever cobbled together. Appreciate the opportunity to see this wonderful line-up take to the field together. And keep your eye on some of these young kids from across the ditch - many of them will be doing the haka for many years to come.
Verdict : Kangaroos 32 - Kiwis 10
First try scorer: Brett Morris
Man of the Match: Jonathan Thurston
Comments
Submitted by mark ashford on
Can't agree more Mr Thinker. Look at the recent world cup and the 7's played in NZ. Need more of this stuff to expand the game. Not more teams in OZ but internationally.
Feel a bit sorry for Steve Kearney and the flack he's copping.
Australia by 12
NSW Country by 4
Submitted by a on
Here are my predictions
Here are my predictions
Aus 74-12
Tries Jonathon Thurston 4 Daly Cherry-Evans 3 Brett Morris Nate Myles Billy Slater Josh Morris James Tamou Paul Gallen Jonathon Thurston 10/12 Crank 1/1
News Zeeland Jason Nightingale Roger Tuivasa-Sheck Conversion Jason Nightingale 2/2
Man of the match Jonathon Thurston
Will you also do a preview of city vs country also I will go a lot closer for this one
Submitted by Lady Di-saster on
*cough* *cough* ... shouldn't this page be called Johnny-Ray.org? *cough* *cough* ... heheheheheh ... skips off into the sunset tra-la-la'ing... ;-))
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
Hehehehehee ! Thanks Ladyi Di-saster ;-D
Aw man ! I so hate to say this but I guess I have to ! The Kiwi's aren't going to win this match though what they will do, I think, is make game of this for first twenty minutes until experience of Aussies backline with go power of their forwards will eventually beat us off park. Though don't expect huge blow out score. My predication is Australia 34 - New Zealand 12 with man of match Cooper Cronk. Thanks Thinker ! Go Kiwi's ! Kiwi Power ! Peow ! Peow ! ;-D
Submitted by Wick 58 on
Thanks for all the tips Johnny Ray. I am second in my tipping comp thanks to you. I need your tip Samoa or fiji.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Lady Di,
Fair....harsh but fair.
Submitted by Chris Gibson on
Think,,mate,,the tipping comp i am in,which i have won 3 times in the last 6 years is being won by a Kiwi that knows nothing about league,,or does he?,,anyway,that seems to be way it is this year.,,chin up mate.
Submitted by Chris Gibson on
Forgot to mention,,,i am coming second last this year. :(
Submitted by Anzac on
Do we have a boomerang here?.With Moko engraved on it?.Predictions of 74-12?.Reality check anyone??.But probably lost on Marmite :))
Submitted by newbie from perth on
Hi everyone,
Because I hail from way out west, I know absolutely nothing when it comes to the “other rep games” that are on this week but I’ll join in and throw in my 2 cents worth if I may:
Aust by 16
Country by 2
Qld in the U20 SOO by 6
Samoa by 10
As I said, absolutely no idea but gotta have a crack. Thanks for the Test preview Thinker. Cheers.
Submitted by Steel Panther on
You're certainly copping a bit of biff this year Thinker but I think your solid 7 last weekend may have seen you turn a corner. I can't see the Kiwis beating Australia tonight and I cringe to think what the margin may be.
Submitted by Lady Di-saster on
Oooooh.... hasn't been banned or had an IP sniffer send the boys round!!
Sorry La Tinker - all in jest obviously - coz I know the absolute sum of Jack Sh1te when it comes to tipping and relied heavily on you all of last year - and will be this year. Keep up the good work one and all. Tra-la-la-la-lee....
Submitted by Guru Craig on
Australia - Will be too good for NZ tonight, the margin is about the only unknown it seems. The Guru is backing The Thinker, Aussies by about 24. 6 tries sounds about right for our boys and the Kiwi's will do well to get 2 four pointers.
City - The Guru will have a punt on the City squad, some big names and big frames should be hitting it up here, lets hope they can give us a decent game.
Samoa - Should have the advantage with more classy NRL talent but don't put the house on it, plenty of emotion with these. Looking forward to this game more than City/Country and more than Paul Kents next Colom....An age old and weary coach once taught the Guru something Kodi Nicorima could've done with last week, grab their bloody arm when there palming you off mate, grab, twist and drop, either they'll cooperate or...same bloke had some words of wisdom applicable to Mr Kent...Pull your head in mate or Rupert'll bench ya!
Submitted by Guru Craig on
And of course QLD in the U20s, oh and a shout out to my mate The Coal Train, superb form Davey, The 'G' saw you chase down that bloke, even after the whistle had sounded, a few times. You got him! and that's what counts, hope to see you in Maroon again soon mate.
Submitted by christine forb10 on
does anyone have any thoughts on which club benji might sign with ?
Submitted by Guru Craig on
Dragons, because you don't go to Cronulla if you have a choice...not this year anyway.
Love to see Benji at Brisbane, The Bronco's desperately need his kicking game and his experience would be worth the coin alone. A humble Benji would go well with Kearny...Hook, think about it at least.
Submitted by christine forb10 on
Yes guru craig food for thought about which club benji might sign with but i did expect a few more clubs to be interested in signing him than just saints or sharks & does it really necessarily have to be a sydney based club ? i mean if you want the money bad enough you will go anywhere to get it, i think benji shouldn't be too fussy if he really wants to get signed.
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
Yeah Hey Wick ! Sorry everyone I'm going for Fiji to beat Samoa and City to beat Country. Go PNG Hunters ! Without Warriors playing this week in league they've all I've got left to watch. That and Chiefs but that's another competition ... ;-D