The ANZAC Test

Australian Kangaroos vs New Zealand Kiwis – Friday night – Canberra Stadium

Australia
  1. Billy Slater (Melbourne Storm)
  2. Darius Boyd (Newcastle Knights)
  3. Greg Inglis (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
  4. Justin Hodges (Brisbane Broncos)
  5. Brett Morris (St George Illawarra Dragons)
  6. Jonathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys)
  7. Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm)
  8. Matt Scott (North Queensland Cowboys)
  9. Cameron Smith (c) (Melbourne Storm)
  10. James Tamou (North Queensland Cowboys)
  11. Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos)
  12. Greg Bird (Gold Coast Titans)
  13. Paul Gallen (Cronulla Sharks)
  14. Kurt Gidley (Newcastle Knights)
  15. Nate Myles (Gold Coast Titans)
  16. Luke Lewis (Cronulla Sharks)
  17. Anthony Watmough (Manly Sea Eagles)
New Zealand
  1. Josh Hoffman (Brisbane Broncos)
  2. Sam Perrett (Canterbury Bulldogs)
  3. Shaun Kenny-Dowell (Sydney Roosters)
  4. Dean Whare (Manly Sea Eagles)
  5. Jason Nightingale (St George Illawarra Dragons)
  6. Keiran Foran (Manly Sea Eagles)
  7. Shaun Johnson (New Zealand Warriors)
  8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters)
  9. Issac Luke (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
  10. Jesse Bromwich (Melbourne Storm)
  11. Kevin Proctor (Melbourne Storm)
  12. Frank Pritchard (Canterbury Bulldogs)
  13. Simon Mannering (c) (New Zealand Warriors)
  14. Ben Matulino (New Zealand Warriors)
  15. Sam McKendry (Penrith Panthers)
  16. Alex Glenn (Brisbane Broncos)
  17. Elijah Taylor (New Zealand Warriors)

The following is a method of assessment I've used previously, and I'll use it again because, quite frankly, it's a very effective way to size up two opponents. Ask yourself this question:

Is there a player in the New Zealand starting thirteen that would gain selection in the Australian starting thirteen?

If Sonny Bill Williams was available I would say 'yes', and I can certainly entertain a discussion about the merits of Jason Nightingale over Darius Boyd, but that might be where the discussion ends. This isn't a bad Kiwi line-up by any means. If you add SBW and Benji Marshall to that roster this is a team that would win the NRL premiership, but their opponent this weekend is, as Bruce McAveney likes to say, a little bit special.

A team is built around their key position players at 1,6,7 and 9. The Kangaroos have three once-in-a-generation players in those jerseys, and Cooper Cronk isn't far behind (on current form he'll be winning the Dally M medal this year). Billy Slater is so good he's keeping another once-in-a-generation player out of the number one jersey, with Greg Inglis slotting into the centre where he copes well enough. New Zealand fullback Josh Hoffman is a darn good player, but he can't get his hands on the number one jersey at the Broncos. Not only are the Kiwis facing true champions of the game, they're facing champions who get to hone their trade together at club level. It's safe to assume that the Smith, Slater, Cronk combinations should gel for a one-off test.

And speaking of combinations, it's worth noting that the Australian backline is virtually the Queensland Origin backline that's made a habit of winning for quite a few years now. Games aren't won on paper, but on paper there aren't a lot of weak links in that Kangaroos line-up.

Without question the gap between these sides has narrowed in recent years, and the last two ANZAC tests were fairly close. Close they may have been, but the Kangaroos still won, and I expect them to win again.

Verdict : Australia 22 - New Zealand 10

First try scorer : Billy Slater

Man of the Match : Cooper Cronk



Result - Australia 32 defeated New Zealand 12


 

Comments

The Thinker's picture

And another thing...

In the unlikely event that your tipping comp includes the City-Country Origin game this weekend, I'm pretty keen on Country.

All the best

Johnny Ray's picture

Awesome ! Thanks again for that Thinker. Here's hoping they have minute silence before the game for the people of Boston :-(

a's picture

My perdiction is Austrilia 18-10 sorry I do not have time to do a lot

ist try scorer Darius Boyd
Man of the match Crmeon smith

Guru Craig's picture

Australia - leaning towards a decent win for the Roo's. The game should be close until the final 20, where i see the mighty QLDers..sry i mean Aussies, running away with it.

Josh Hoffman will want to send a message to his coach, he's playing good football and is a natural #1, Griffin really should drop Norman back to QLD cup.

The only hesitating factor for me is the weather, it will be a cool evening in Canberra and with all the QLDers Australia have the Kiwi's may have a slight edge in the chill.

Australia 24 - NZ 8

MOTM Brett Morris and first try scorer

Country - to win. I'm not a big fan of this game and i believe the powers that be could/should re-format this match into something else, an emerging NSW squad of young blokes that are 2-3 yrs away from Origin perhaps, or just scrap it.

QLD - U20s Origin. last year was a half decent game, i thought the QLD young guns were a tad unlucky.

The Maroons have 8 players graduating to U20s in 2013 who were apart of the 2012 U18s winning Origin side, those young guys will be better for the experience and i believe they will be victorious on Saturday.

I would like to see the ARL include the U18s and U20s Origin in the normal Origin schedule. I feel Rugby League is screaming out for an event similar to the American 'All Star Weekend' the NBA put on every year.

We have the playing talent and the audience, The State Of Origin series is the most watched program on TV in this country and the scope for $$$ has a long way to go.

Over 6 weeks we could have a 3 game series of First grade, U20s and U18s, NSW cup vs QLD cup and hold a series of skills based challenges. Goal kicking, Passing, sprints etc. Who wouldn't want to see JT, Cam Smith etc attempt to kick a goal from the corner post? or find out who is really the fastest man in league.

The Origin series could be 6 weeks of football fanfare with stars of all grades on show.

Lunchbox's picture

G'day thinker. Any suggestions for round 7?

Steel Panther's picture

While it had no bearing on the end result I thought the officiating last night was dreadful. How many times can a side be de-kleined a try especially Alex Glenn's effort. And ruling on the second infringement when the first error was Hodges knock on? Poor display all round from Klein.

a's picture

How are you tipping for the City vs Country I am tipping City by 2

Graham's picture

Hi, thank you for your weekly footy tips.

Any idea when week 7 will be advised

The Thinker's picture

It's all there now Graham.

All the best

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