Australian Kangaroos vs New Zealand Kiwis – Friday night – Hunter Stadium
Australian Kangaroos
- Darius Boyd
- Semi Radradra
- Greg Inglis
- Josh Dugan
- Blake Ferguson
- Jonathan Thurston
- Cooper Cronk
- Matt Scott
- Cameron Smith (c)
- Paul Gallen
- Josh Papalii
- Matt Gillett
- Corey Parker
- Josh McGuire
- Michael Morgan
- James Tamou
- Sam Thaiday
- Aiden Guerra
Coach - Mal Meninga
New Zealand Kiwis
- Jordan Kahu
- Jason Nightingale
- Shaun Kenny-Dowell
- Gerard Beale
- Dallin Watene Zelezniak
- Tohu Harris
- Shaun Johnson
- Jesse Bromwich (c)
- Lewis Brown
- Adam Blair
- Kevin Proctor
- Manu M'au
- Jason Taumalolo
- Kodi Nikorima
- Greg Eastwood
- Martin Taupau
- Sam Moa
- Brad Takairangi
- Kenneth Bromwich
Coach - Steve Kearney
* note: team line-ups are subject to considerable change, but will be updated as news filters through.
Two things jump out at me as I work my way through the teams for the ANZAC Test. Firstly, the rise of Josh. Josh used to be the name of the nice boyfriend in US sitcoms, but we've got three of them playing for the Green and Gold on Friday night, and none of them look like the nice boyfriend in a US sitcom. The other thing I noticed was that, despite all the injuries and issues in New Zealand, their side is, by some measures, more stable than the Kangaroos. Just five players in the Kangaroos line-up are playing in the same position as they were in the corresponding test last year. The Kiwis have seven, and they've got the same coach too. Stability is usually a good thing, but some of the stability is borne out of the fact that the Kiwis have less depth to draw on. Of greatest concern to me is the changes to the Kiwi spine, with some vital players unavailable and three of the four playing outside of their club position. Now I like Tohu Harris more than most people. He's chronically under-rated (check out his season stats this year), but he's no Jonathan Thurston. I love the way Lewis Brown plays the game too, but he's no Cameron Smith. And Jordan Kahu gets shunted to a wing at the Broncos for you know who. These are key positions, and all three will give it their all, but they aren't in the same league as the players opposite.
I do like the Kiwis forward pack - that's an all-star pack with three big boppers coming off the bench, and they'd be even more frightening if Tamou and Papalii swapped jerseys. If the Kiwis win this they win it in the middle, Shaun Johnson finds his best form on the back of that, and he gets them home. It's unlikely, but far from impossible.
While we're talking about size and how much it matters, take a look at the Kangaroos numbered 2 through 5 - that's like having four Mal Meningas in your backline. Can the Kiwis contain them all? I say no. That's where the points will come, but it's the experience of the Kangaroos at 1,6,7 and 9 that will prove the difference. A Kanagroos victory...it's been a while.
Verdict – Kangaroos 25 : Kiwis 12
First try scorer - Blake Ferguson
Man of the Match - Cooper Cronk
Comments
Submitted by a on
Here are my scores for the repersent round
Jillaroos 36 tires Ruan Sims 2 Samantha Bremner 2 Chelsea Baker 2 Kody House goals Maddie Studdon 4/7 Ferns 14 tires Atawhai Tupaea 2 Maitua Feterika goals Nora Maaka 1/2 Kristina Sue 0/1
Woman of the match Ruan Sims
Austrilia 27 tires Cameron Smith Josh Dugan Sam Thaiday Matt Scott goals Johnathan Thurston 5/6 field goal Johnathan Thurston New Zealand 14 tires Shaun Johnson 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak goals Shaun Johnson 1/3
Man of the match Cameron Smith
Junior Kangaroos 32 tires Lachlan Croker 2 Tyrell Fuimaono John Olive Curtis Scott Nathan Cleary goals Tyrone May 3/4 Nathan Cleary 0/1 John Olive 0/1 Junior Kiwis 6 try James Fisher-Harris goa lPatrick Herbert 1/1
Man of the match Lachlan Croker
Fiji 20 tires Tyrone Phillips Benjamin Nakubuwai Sisa Waqa James Storer goals Sitiveni Moceidreke 2/3 Maurice Kennedy 0/1 Benjamin Nakubuwai 0/1 PNG 6 try Justin Olam goal Watson Boas 1/1
Man of the match Sisa Waqa
Somona tires Matthew Wright Ricky Leutele goals Tim Simona 1/3 field goal Tim Simona Tonga 10 tires David Fusitu’a goals Solomone Kata 1/2
Man of the match Tim Simona
QLD Residents 16 tires Sam Anderson Nemani Valekapa goals Anthony Mitchell 4/4 NSW Residents 12 tires Dylan Kelly Asipeli Fine goals Daniel Alvaro 1/1 Mitch Williams 1/2
Man of the match Sam Anderson
City 17 tires Chad Townsend Ryan Matterson Chris Lawrence goals Aidan Sezer 2/3 field goal Aidan Sezer Country 13 tires Isaah Yeo Kane Linnett Dale Finucane goals James Maloney 0/3 field goal James Maloney
Man of the match Bryce Cartwright
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Not caring too much about the result, afterall it's a recognition of two countries who fought side by side in world war 1.
Nothing personal against Radradra. I think he's one of a kind. But he has no right to play. I would be fine if he said I want to be an Australian. I want to obtain citizenship. But no, he comes out in the press and states he wants to be remembered as the best Fijian rugby league player ever. That statement alone should have him booted out of camp.
For the sake of the Kangaroo Jersey, I hope Radradra has his worst game ever, and so never gets selected again.
Submitted by Dragons fanboy 2007 on
Hello guys my tip for the ANZAC test I think is going to be:
Australia by 4- The Kangaroos to get a tight win here. Just looking at the side, it's a great side some good players on debut for Australia. And I personally think that Semi Radradra should not be playing for Australia due to him not being an Australian citizen and him being born and raised in Fiji. He even admitted himself that he wants to be known as the best Fijian in rugby league history. New Zealand also have a great side. They have dominated the Aussies in late but Australia do have a remarkable record against the Kiwis in ANZAC tests. I'm not going against Australia and tip them in a close one.
My tips for the other international matches are:
Jillaroos by 10- The girls to get the win here.
Fiji by 2- Both teams are obviously going to play with a lot of heart. But I think Fiji in a close one. This was a tough one to pick. These teams have a great line-up filled with talent.
Samoa by 16- Samoa will be too powerful and too good here. Both have talents in the back and power in the forwards. This match is going to have many points scored and the forwards will clash and clash hard. But I think Samoa will get a big win.
City by 7- Not going against the City team which are my team for these matches. City to get the chocolates here.
Junior Kangaroos by 18- Junior Kangaroos to get on top here.
And finally... the NSW Residents to defeat the Queensland Residents by 8- NSW Residents to get the win here.
Thanks a lot guys. Cheers!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Dragons fanboy 2007 on
Sorry for the Jillaroos-Ferns match, The Australian girls to get the win here.
Submitted by tigerholic on
Are we not tipping this weekend in the rep games?
Submitted by mark ashford on
Hi Tigerholic
Only one game this weekend mate the test.
Restarts again Thursday the 12th.
Coach...thanks for that info. Silly of me, of course if a player is deemed not tackled then he can play on.
I'll try and ask more intelligent questions in future!
Australia by 12
Submitted by The Thinker on
Tiger,
Just the NRL games for the tipping comp. You're welcome to share your thoughts in the comments if you want. I'll add my tips for the remaining representative games in the next day or two.
All the best
Submitted by a on
Yes we don't tip for origin either Tiger
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
Australia to win 12 and under. Now I've said that I'm off to wash my mouth out with Coke and Old Sailor Jerry's Spiced Rum. Failure has never tasted so delicious .... :-(
Submitted by Fortress eagle on
My tip for the anzac test the Aussies to break there losing streak and win by 10 can't wait for next weeks round good luck everyone and as I always say go the mighty sea eaglessssssssssss
Submitted by Coach Potato on
An exert from a recent article in the 'Australian' prior to this game's selection ...
"..Radradra stands to earn an additional $160,000 over the next two years should he force his way into the Kangaroos, although that is contingent on him playing in both the Four Nations and the World Cup.I
It is understood his change of allegiance has now been confirmed, meaning he will be banned from switching back to Fiji until after the 2017 World Cup."
What a sad day for Australian rugby league. Our Jersey traded for cash. As I've said I won't be watching. Don't care for the highlights reel. Happy to skip to round 10 and pretend it never happened.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Don't worry Eels fans, you would have to think you are destined to be well into the black very soon. This guy ain't hanging around a day longer than another team offering more to wear another colour jersey.
Submitted by Tailspin on
Hey Thinker, I'm back to civilisation once again.
I see that my tips weren't put in last week, is there a problem.
Go Australia to win by 18
Country to win by 8, and I hope they beat the shit out of each other :)
Submitted by Fortress eagle on
Totally agree with you coach it's a travisty of justice.its all bout the dammed dollar where the hell has pride gone let me tell u out the window. Don't get me wrong semi is a great talent and he may well be fiji's greatest ever player but what it's done is stopped an Aussie born and raised a chance of a dream to play in the famouse green and gold.no matter how you look at it it's money driven where the selectors and the shonky administrators should be held accountable an outrage I tell an outrage anyway back to the fort.and as I always say go the mighty sea eaglesssssssssssssss
Submitted by The Thinker on
Sorry Tailspin....I had a feeling I was missing something....I'll go back and track them down and update the ladder.
Thanks for the reminder.
Coach,
While I understand your point of view the Radradra situation is a complicated one. His father is not well and he's basically supporting an extended family in Fiji.
If he were made ineligible for Australian selection the other Rugby code would be snapping him up in next to no time.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Tailspin,
I've updated your tips now. If you didn't miss a round you'd be just about in front.
All the best
Submitted by mark ashford on
Sorry Thinker but I can't agree with your thoughts on Semi.
I'm with Coach and others on this one.
I believe he's on $250,000 a season, surely way under his value but enough to help his family.
What if RU poaches him next season for some obscene amount?
Will make a mockery of his selection this year.
Big Mals loaded his team with Qlders, we'd better hope the Kiwis don't inflict too many injuries....or watch out SOO time.
Submitted by christine on
It's ridiculous to think how much they pay cherry evans & foran but then they only pay semi that amount .
Submitted by tigerholic on
Rocket
Are you still with us. I was quite worried about you with the speed you dropped back through the pack, thought you may have a bout of vertigo.
Don't worry too much, it is a long year ahead and it takes more than football smarts to do ok.
At one point there, you were falling so fast and appeared to be in free fall, I thought you might run head first into Coach down the bottom.
Come on Aussie come on!!!!!
Submitted by mark ashford on
Christine the Eels picked up Semi cheap. No doubt after his stint with the Kangaroos and his performance this season he will get a massive upgrade next year.
Looks like Anthony Watmough will fall on his sword and maybe one other. The Eels just then have to get rid of the naughty 5 and they can earn points.
JCE of course plays for Manly so doesn't come into it.
Tigerholic don't worry about Rockets fall like the mighty Broncs he will be back!
Jesus Footy Chick is coming 2nd....are you guys sure about what you told me???
Submitted by a on
Eels may just give up
Submitted by mark ashford on
"a" I hope not. They are very competitive this year and would like to see them involved in the finals
Submitted by The Thinker on
Surely a gentleman would let Footy Chick come first.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Of course Thinker...don't know what I was thinking.
Submitted by The Thinker on
I'd love it if people only played for the countries they were born in...but the world has changed. At the next soccer world cup there will be people playing for countries they've never even visited.
The current All-Blacks squad has two guys born in Melbourne, one from American Samoa, one from Fiji and one from Tonga. They all get to do the haka.
James Tamou makes much more money than Semi does out of his decision to be 'Australian'. He's a New Zealand citizen, and gets $90,000 a year to play for New South Wales.
Submitted by christine on
I give up on you guys when it comes to footy chick your being pathetic , I would laugh my butt off if it turns out to be a bloke & haven't you herd of stalkers you guys aren't being any better kind of sick really mark .
Submitted by mark ashford on
Thinker, of course your right.
So it just comes down to money, not home pride.
I guess the whole thing is rubbish so we should just shut up and take what we get.
Being an "older" fan I remember the days when you had to live within a certain radius of your club to be eligible
Never mind no doubt the NRL has the best interest of the fans at heart..
Submitted by Tailspin on
Thanks Thinker, yeh I'm dirty I missed the first round.
Submitted by christine on
Mark I wasn't saying dce plays for parra I know he plays for manly the point was you have some players getting these huge amounts & then you have semi getting this pitiful amount but I suppose it would be different if it came from footy chick instead of me .
Submitted by christine on
Nothing against you footy chick I just think the guys are being pathetic ...
Submitted by christine on
I will say I expect eels even with there situation the way it is to beat souths next week .
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Mark just hit on something. Anyone who is rewarded with a Green &Gold Jersey is basically 'entitled' to have their contract upgraded. Is this going to happen? You would have to think not, or not by that much. There are teams out there with money to spare, and we are dealing with a player who doesn't care who wins the auction.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Thinker, this is surely comparing decent apples with bad ones.
Tamou has gone through the process of gaining citizenship. He has the intention to be Australian, (even though he balks at approx. 2 days pay to finalise things). Surely that's a marathon and a half in front of the guy who has no such intentions.
Just know your general entry fee to the game, is headed out of the Aussie economy, destined for Fiji, where the tax rules are of benefit to him. So he says he's helping his family. How admirable. Should this change the eligibility for the Jersey? A pretty feable rationale. The ARL - a pseudo world charity organisation.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Christine...no offence meant. We need some "footy chicks" on this site.
I love to have the ladies involved.
Yes Coach can the Eels afford to upgrade Semi next year?
Good call. If not the Eels then who?
Maybe salary cap auditors will be taking a close look.
Jesus hope it's not the Broncs!
Ha just kidding happy with what we've got.
Why can't the NRL under their 'discression fund" pay Semi to play for Fiji
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Thinker, what about your proposed book fiddling? Any response?
What right does Parra have to keep Foran, Jennings, etc when it was illegal 3rd party deals that got them there. If what it seems is Watmough gets off the books because his payout is classed as retirement income, that stinks more than anything that's transpired to date.
What about the coach, everyone is feeling sorry for. Isnt the coach the chief number 1 selector that would have a massive input into any player bought or sold? Arthur and his predecessor Sticky Ricky should be in the same positions as the club board. Ricky was in charge of the clean out a few years back wasn't he? Surely he was also in charge of the replacements and how much was paid. Surely Arthur was just this for Foran Jennings and Gordon. To me, these two are the slippery-est of Eels that have slipped away unnoticed.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
I wonder if Footy Chick is also in hiding regarding 3rd party deals. Or maybe it was the deals done at the first two parties that have taken their toll?
Seriously Chick, I am quite fine if you not who you say you are. If you are actually Angelina Jolie, all ok.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Well Coach we can point to plenty of examples where teams have tested the edges of the rules to improve their lot.
The first that comes to my mind is the return of Mark Gasnier to the NRL in 2010. His 4 year contract with the Dragons was worth 1.9 million....heavily back-ended. In 2010 they paid him $50k or $125k depending on who you ask so they could stay under the cap. The Dragons won the comp that year, and the following year Gasnier retired (straight after he got to play a State of Origin series) and slotted straight into a well-paid gig with Fox Sports. Did the Dragons ever pay him more than 50 or 125k? I don't know, but the Dragons got themselves a premiership and it had been a while....so hooray.
Parramatta crossed the line. It seems that others didn't. At least that's what we are told.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
What a joke. Doctors need to show that Watmough cannot play another game before the NRL will approve his millions not to be counted. Sounds like there's more doctoring going on than just the books.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
I've always argued that the 2010 premiership was illegal. Most obvious during the off season when Matt Cooper was asked if he would be staying at the club re salary cap. His information was that it all depended whether Gasnier was retiring or not. Straight away that told me they were over the cap prior to 2011.
My rationale is if your players contracts exceed the salary cap in any future years, (ahead of time) that is still illegal. As mentioned above, the fact that Dragons were about to exceed the cap in 2011 if they retained all players, that should have deemed the Gasnier contract illegal. Storm went back years in time to face penalties. I truly think the Dragons won their 2010 prize under false pretences.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
I know this is happening to Parra, but can't help but think the NRL auditors act as haphazardly as the refs ,the Bunker , and the judiciary.
Surely other teams are doing the same as Parra?
What of the penalties?
Storm, Dogs, Warriors, Titans, Broncos, all very different punishments. The goalposts move every time. Who's the NRL to judge ?
Submitted by mark ashford on
Thinker & Coach I think we should let this go and leave it up to the NRL to sort it out.
Not really interested in this weekends games....too much controversy.
Bring on round 10 when we can just get back to supporting our clubs.
Can't ever remember so much angst about a test.
Broncs to beat the Eagles (sorry Fortress)
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Mark I think people can speak for themselves with all due respect. If I have provoked thought on something someone had not thought of before and they felt like expressing their opinion whether to agree or to challenge what I say, why censure that?
Remember:
Improvement never happens without first questioning the status quo.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
..like Footy Chick. Who wants to know if underneath she is a strong opinionated and articulate woman of the sporting world?
What do you think Chick?
Radradra?
Eels and the cap that doesn't fit?
Anything ??
Submitted by The Thinker on
SKD ruled out for the Kiwis.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Yeah Robinson taking a leaf out of Bennett's book at rep time.
Wouldn't surprise if it was Bennett who told his Origin stars to go out and have a good time prior to their suspensions. The coach of Soward who in 2010 was by far the best number 6 NSW had (he ran fast back then), but Bennett claimed he wasn't ready.
Submitted by christine on
I will be absent for a while so I don't have to keep hearing about footy chick ..
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Maybe Footy Chick was a bad example. Just interested in what others think.
Submitted by a on
Come on we need to respect women on the site they do a lot of us in the real world maybe some of us on the tipping ladder or regulars are girls for all we know
Submitted by a on
Sorry what I meant to say was some of us on the tipping ladder or regulars could be girls for all we know not are
Submitted by Coach Potato on
...although not really. When you do come back to read more Christine, you can re-read and see that I wanted Footy Chick to show another side to herself/himself/itself.
I think that would help everyone avoid getting tarred with your brush.
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