Centenary Test Team (Australia) (Official)

[Clintos]

Each player gets to box with their own Kangaroo.

 

[Sabu_2008]

*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.

Kidwell is only there to cover injury, as is Hohaia, team will be:

1. Webb (should he be released, if not, then Hohaia will be FB)
2. Nightengale
3. Soliola
4. Sa
5. Perrett
6. Roberts
7. Leuleuai (should he be released, if not, then Fien)
8. Cayless
9. Luke
10. Asotasi (c)
11. Mannering
12. Williams
13. Fa'alago

14. Pritchard
15. Blair
16. Smith
17. Halatau

18. Kidwell
19. Hohaia

Not the worst Kiwi team I've seen, but it definitly wont be one that will beat Australia next Friday. If anything, I hope they go out there and bashb the forwards around a bit. They have a lot of size and mobility in the pack, and off the bench, so they should be competitive up front. The backline will be slaughtered, although if a few SBW offloads stick, they could score a few tries outwide, with Nightengale, Perrett and Sa all in very good form. If Webb is released, that offers options with centre-field switches and inside balls, Leulaui has a VERY GOOD short kicking game, but unfortunately, if he is not released, they will be left in the lerch in terms of strategic ability. Roberts has a very good left boot, but often struggles with the strategic aspect of kicking, however should they bring Fien in at half (if Leuleuai is not released), the pressure could be slightly released with another option in the halves.

However, at the moment, it looks liek Australia by atleast 30...as alays with these International matches...who the hell knows what can happen? Im certainly looking forward to it, I always do. Its just a pity the English/Sydney clubs dont see it the same way.

 

[gUt]

That team would not make the top 4 in the NRL and would struggle to make the 8. Geez I wish they could pick their UK based players.

 

[Coxy]

That team would not make the top 4 in the NRL and would struggle to make the 8. Geez I wish they could pick their UK based players.

Webb and Leuluai are from the UK now aren't they?

 

[Ari Gold]

Isn't Shaun Kenny Dowall a Kiwi? I know he's pretty crap, but he still strikes me as being better than some of that backline.

 

[Jeza23]

Isn't Shaun Kenny Dowall a Kiwi? I know he's pretty crap, but he still strikes me as being better than some of that backline.

He sure is a kiwi! He is up there in the try scoring ranks isnt he? I dont think he is playing that badly, but yes he isnt that great a player

 

[gUt]

Webb and Leuluai are from the UK now aren't they?

Leeds aren't releasing Webb afaik, and I mean I wish they could pick ALL of the good ones from over there.

 

[Sabu_2008]

Leeds are going to be told today by the IRL that they HAVE to. Whether they do or not is another story. If not, then NZ should respond by not touring up there until the issue is resolved, or pull out of the World Cup.

 

[Coxy]

Talk about an overreaction sabu!

What the NZRL should do is say that they will no longer select players to represent them from Leeds. That won't stop Leeds, but it may stop NZ players who still want to play rep footy from signing with them.

 

[Kee]

Bennett is talking to the English Clubs as he has people power in the right circles. icon_smile He and Kearney are hoping for a good response.
Hope so really for the sake of the game that the English Clubs allow them to play.

 

[Nashy]

Just another reason why all this junk should be at the end of the regular season. If the ESL clubs don't release player's, then this International game will never have a place, I don't know about others, but I don't find it at all enjoyable beating the Kiwis by over 50.

 

[Black Philip]

Just another reason why all this junk should be at the end of the regular season. If the ESL clubs don't release player's, then this International game will never have a place, I don't know about others, but I don't find it at all enjoyable beating the Kiwis by over 50.

Exactly. It's sh*t. And it's what makes international rugby league an absolute joke.

 

[Kan Huang]

I think Bird is a lot more versatile than the others you've mentioned Coxy in terms of being able to play both in the backline and forward line when needed and has plenty of ball playing skill to accommodate that. A deserved selection even though I don't like the guy but he is a very good footballer.

 

[rnabokov]

I think Bird is a lot more versatile than the others you've mentioned Coxy in terms of being able to play both in the backline and forward line when needed and has plenty of ball playing skill to accommodate that. A deserved selection even though I don't like the guy but he is a very good footballer.

Bird? Gallen?

Given his recent form, Thaiday should have been a special. icon_thumbs_u

 

[ningnangnong]

So, Lockyer's seemingly out. See Broncos Talk.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Thye shoudl select Prince at 5/8th IMO. He really deserves it

 

[Foordy]

Thye shoudl select Prince at 5/8th IMO. He really deserves it

Actually i'd have Price at half and Thurston at 5/8 (hes played there more than Prince) but i'd certainly have Prince and Thurston in the halves together.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Thye shoudl select Prince at 5/8th IMO. He really deserves it

Actually i'd have Price at half and Thurston at 5/8 (hes played there more than Prince) but i'd certainly have Prince and Thurston in the halves together.

Yeah it wouldn't matter what number they had on there backs.. I have heard they are shifting Bird to 5/8th and bringing Crocker into the side. If so Laffranchi might want Ricky Stuarts address and take a baseball bat with him.