Centenary Test Team (Australia) (Official)

[rnabokov]

I've seen nothing to suggest Crocker or Gallen read a game of football any better than they'd read War and Peace in Russian.

The reason coaches like Bellamy and Stuart like them in attack is because they're OK at doing what they're told, and so doing the ball movement that's required for the structure of play they are instructed to use.

Just my point of view on them. They're hired thugs, and that's their primary purpose, and both Bellamy and Stuart are advocates of causing your opponents' pain to slow them down.

I think that's the real issue behind their selection.

As for Webb - I think it's a shame Thaiday wasn't selected. At the same time, despite Webb's shortcomings, I must confess I enjoy his, ah, vigour, when he's on his game.

 

[Guest]

Yeah bloody awesome backline, im afraid this is gonna be another 50 plus points.

Im guessing this would be close to the kiwi team.

1. Brent Webb
2. TaneilaTueaki
3.Ropati if fit or Soliola
4. Steve Matai
5.Matt Utai
6.Ben Roberts
7.Lance Hohohai
8. Fui Fui Moi Moi
9.Dene Halutau
10.Roy Asotasi
11Sonny Bill Williams
12. David Kidwell
13.David Faolongo
14. Epalahme Lauki
15. Ben Teo
16.Simon Mannering
17.Sam Perret

 

[Fozz]

Don't think Brent Webb would be available. He only played for the Kiwis on the basis of residency and he isn't one now.

 

[ethos]

Isaac Luke has to play for NZ.

Without Benji, he's the only Kiwi playmaker with any spark.

 

[Black Philip]

I hate to say this but I can see this game being a massive whitewash. Aus by 35+ [icon_thumbs_do

 

[Coxy]

Don't think Brent Webb would be available. He only played for the Kiwis on the basis of residency and he isn't one now.

I don't think that's the case. I think his qualification still stands even though he lives in the UK. He DID live in NZ for 3 years so he's forever qualified as a Kiwi.

 

[mrslong]

Brent Webb's super league team aren't going to let him go, cos they have a Challenge Cup game this weekend. Spoil sports, the Kiwi's need him to be even a sniff competitive.

 

[Guest]

Don't think Brent Webb would be available. He only played for the Kiwis on the basis of residency and he isn't one now.

I don't think that's the case. I think his qualification still stands even though he lives in the UK. He DID live in NZ for 3 years so he's forever qualified as a Kiwi.

Doesn't qualification only exist for World Cup periods (ie. 4 years)?

 

[Coxy]

Ah who knows!

When are they going to bring in State of Origin qualification rules :P

 

[Foordy]

Brent Webb's super league team aren't going to let him go, cos they have a Challenge Cup game this weekend. Spoil sports, the Kiwi's need him to be even a sniff competitive.

Apparently the international rules say that they have to let him go

 

[Fozz]

Don't think Brent Webb would be available. He only played for the Kiwis on the basis of residency and he isn't one now.

Oh, really? Seems a bit dumb because he probably still has an Australian passport. Well, they can have our rejects if they want. _woohoo_

And during the haka it would be funny to watch Willie go off his nut again.

That sounded a bit wrong. eusa_think [icon_evillaugh

 

[Coxy]

Willie would only go off his nut if he hasn't taken his ritalin before kickoff.

 

[BroncoMatt]

The Australian's will doing their own version of the Haka in this match

 

[ethos]

New Zealand's 19 man squad..

Roy Asotasi (c), Adam Blair, Nathan Cayless, David Fa'alogo, Dene Halatau, Lance Hohaia, David Kidwell, Thomas Leuluai, Isaac Luke, Simon Mannering, Jason Nightingale, Sam Perrett, Frank Pritchard, Ben Roberts, Setimata Sa, Jeremy Smith (the Melbourne one), Iosia Soliola, Brent Webb, Sonny Bill Williams

http://rleague.com/db/article.php?id=30267

A better looking squad than I expected. They just need some quality in the halves (and some better outside backs and forwards I suppose [icon_lol1. ).

 

[Coxy]

*cringe* So their halves are going to be Thomas Leuluai and Ben Roberts?
Hooker Isaac Luke? Or will they start with Dene Halatau?

Something like:

1. Brent Webb
2. Jason Nightingale
3. Iosia Soliola
4. Setimata Sa
5. Sam Perrett
6. Ben Roberts
7. Thomas Leuluai
8. Nathan Cayless
9. Isaac Luke
10. Roy Asotasi (c)
11. David Kidwell
12. Frank Pritchard
13. Sonny Bill Williams

14. Adam Blair
15. David Fa'alogo
16. Simon Mannering
17. Dene Halatau

Not the most intimidating looking side really, though the forwards are pretty strong, albeit Pritchard and Cayless pretty badly out of form.

 

[Guest]

Pritchard's been going OK lately - certainly much better than the past 2 years. He was a man possessed against the Tigers.

Still, I fear the worst for the men in black...

 

[mick]

Going to be a big let down. Aus by 20, crowd half-full.

Still absolutely buzzing in anticipation for the WC though.

 

[Fozz]

The Australian's will doing their own version of the Haka in this match

eusa_think

The chicken dance?

[icon_shru

Seriously though, I know there was a ritual that was done back in the early tours but it just seems to me that you can take this heritage thing too far. I'm hopeful it won't be performed.