2011 Four Nations - Australian squad named

[Coxy]

id pick johnson over foran any day of the week

They're very different players. Foran will run all day, chase every kick, tackle his brains out...but Johnson will make something out of nothing.

That said, he's very similar to Marshall, and maybe Foran is better to complement his style. All depends what kind of game Kearney wants them to play. May even be an argument to play Johnson off the bench to come on and weave magic against tired forwards.

In any case, give it a couple of years and a Locke, Marshall, Johnson, Luke combination will terrorise international teams.

 

[Big Pete]

Foran is a better foil for Benji.

Great player who knows how to get the job done and isn't going to cost you any points.

Kiwis are finally getting spoilt for young halves.

 

[Kaz]

I think DCE's selection is more directed at ensuring his allegiance to Australia, as he's also eligible for England, and they were circling him.

Just because his Mum hails from the UK, he was eligible for England.

Soon the criteria will be if you visited the UK or saw it on a map, you will be eligible for England.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Id be very surprised if Johnson leap frogged foran. As posted above Foran is a good partner to Marshall IMO

 

[Jeba]

Foran is a certainty at 6 and rightly so. I hate when commentators cream themselves over players every week ala Marshall but they've got it right on this occasion.

 

[Coxy]

I think Johnson and Foran are both special talents. Foran more experienced and has to be there. Johnson will get plenty of game time tho. He'll play against wales for sure, probably resting Marshall

 

[Coxy]

Because he was good for about 10 minutes of each of those 10 games. He's a giant useless piece of ####.

 

[user_nat]

Obviously I'm biased, but I think McGuires form was far better than Williams.
Far, far better.

The other difference is that he is a back rower, there are plenty of fantastic back rowers. McGuire is a prop, not many of them are doing all that great lately.

 

[Alec]

Williams is difficult the bring down in a tackle. He's just about below average in every other area IMO. Not a good hole runner, not a good work rate, average defence and not even good enough ball playing skills to make up for all that.

 

[Alec]

I think McGuire just has to suck it up, be happy he was mentioned in selection talks, go away, have a good offseason and come back and continue where he left off. If he does that, Test and Origin honours await next season for sure.

Yeah, agreed. That would be an excellent test of character.

 

[user_nat]

So Glenn Stewart has ruled himself out. Personal reasons.

Unless they bring a prop in and play Gallen at lock, I think this gives Parker a good chance of starting.

 

[Fozz]

Must be upset that Brett doesn't have his apology.

 

[m1c]

I didn't realise Greg Bird missed out. Awesome!

 

[Ari Gold]

New Zealand squad announced to compete in the upcoming Four Nations rugby league tournament in England and Wales: Gerard Beale, Adam Blair, Lewis Brown, Nathan Fien, Kieran Foran, Alex Glenn, Thomas Leuluai, Kevin Locke, Shaun Johnson, Issac Luke, Sam McKendry, Simon Mannering, Sika Manu, Benji Marshall (capt), Steve Matai, Ben Matulino, Fuifui Moimoi, Jason Nightingale, Russell Packer, Kevin Proctor, Jeremy Smith, Manu Vatuvei, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

Congrats to Alex Glenn and Gerard Beale on making the squad.

Is SKD injured?

 

[Porthoz]

Is SKD injured?

He probably is. Can't imagine NZ ignoring him in what is their weakest area of the field...

 

[mrslong]

I'd have Tim Mannah ahead of McGuire on the props list. McGuire only outshone Manner because Manner was in a rubbish team.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Beau Scott to replace Glenn Stewart. Brilliant just what the team needed

 

[Porthoz]

Beau Scott to replace Glenn Stewart. Brilliant just what the team needed

FMD, that is one guy I really only want to see wearing colours I hate. :shake:
I guess I can still support Australia while wanting him to be smashed by the opposing team... :rockon: