Anzac Test - Kangaroos Side

[Mikes4]

1. Matt Bowen
2. Amos Roberts
3. Mark Gasnier
4. Justin Hodges
5. Matt Sing
6. Johnathan Thurston
7. Andrew Johns
8. Luke Bailey
9. Danny Buderus
10. Petero Civoniceiva
11. Nathan Hindmarsh
12. Luke O'Donnell
13. Ben Kennedy

14. Darren Lockyer
15. Mark O'Meley
16. Shane Tronc
17. Steve Price

This is how I think they will line up on form.

 

[Harry Freis Tash]

I reckon Minichello is a certainty ... he's probably been our best rep player over the last few years.

Lockyer will be in the 6 and captain - that means Thurston is on the bench - alternatively if Joey doesn't pass his fitness test Thurston will wear the 7

Cooper is likely to be there in the centres - would mean Hodges moves to the wing or they go for a specialist - someone like Grothe who is a big unit to counter the big kiwi backs ... for that reason Inglis misses out ... don't rule out Willie Tonga making a return in the centres and Cooper or Matt King play on the wing

In the pack - big Willie Mason is playing well -p would have to be in the mix ... surely Carl Webb must come into contention ... Steve Simpson has also been brilliant for the Knights

 

[meltiger]

Hasn't Johns retired from rep footy?


Inglis won't play for Australia ... This year. I'd certainly run with the St George Centres.


I also wouldn't be suprised to see Thurston at halfback and Barrett at 5/8, even though the Golden Boy doesn't deserve a test place this year.


We all know nepotism gets you the gig, not form.

 

[meltiger]

I must say, I also wouldn't pit Amos up against the big Kiwi outside backs.

 

[Mikes4]

I must say, I also wouldn't pit Amos up against the big Kiwi outside backs.

Last year we picked a big backline to match it with the Kiwis and lost. Roberts is 92kg, (same size as Gasnier, Cooper, Hodges and Tonga) is in red hot form and has been consistently one of the best wingers in the NRL over the past couple of years.

Thurston HAS to start on the ground. It would be an injustice if he doesn't. Lockyer to fullback and the Count on the wing if they must, maybe leaving Sing out, and Bowen going to the bench.

 

[meltiger]

Last year we picked a big backline to match it with the Kiwis and lost. Roberts is 92kg, (same size as Gasnier, Cooper, Hodges and Tonga) is in red hot form and has been consistently one of the best wingers in the NRL over the past couple of years.

If fit, I would select Matt King in a heartbeat before Amos. Amos may be one of the best attacking players going around, but I still beleive his defence is suspect and can be exposed at test level.

 

[bushranger]

wheres Cameron Smith and crocker

Smith is the best hooker in the game
he is underated

 

[Harry Freis Tash]

There's no way Cameron Smith will get picked ahead of Buderus at hooker

The other guy who is a certainty if fit is Fitzgibbon - maybe pushing Kennedy onto the bench ... along with big Willie, Steve Price and a back like Matt Bowen, Thurston or Craig Wing

 

[Sladest]

It's time for the selectors to blood some new guys. If they do not do it now, they might as well never do it.

This would be my team:

1 - Anthony Minichiello
2 - Matthew King
3 - Justin Hodges
4 - Matthew Gidley
5 - Timana Tahu
6 - Jonathan Thurston
7 - Andrew Johns
8 - Shane Tronc
9 - Danny Buderus
10 - Petero Civoniceva
11 - Steve Simpson
12 - Willie Mason
13 - Ben Kennedy

14 - Luke O'Donnell
15 - Josh Perry
16 - Clint Newton
17 - Matthew Bowen

On the notable ommisions:

Darren Lockyer has been average at best over the past 1 and a half years for the Broncos and Queensland, Jonathan Thurstons been the best player in the comp over the same time.

Craig Fitzgibbon and Nathan Hindmarsh offer absolutely nothing in attack. I want men who can physically dominate in attack and defence in my back-row, not specialist third man in players.

Mark Gasnier, for me Hodges is the most talented and best centre in the NRL. If Gasnier wants to go play RU he can go, RL have a number of centres just as good, if not better than him.

I also think that it is fair the Newcastle and North Queensland get the lions share of players, as basically they are the 2 best teams in the NRL at the moment by a country mile.

 

[Mikes4]

Darren Lockyer is in pretty good form at the moment, this would be reflected by the Broncos sitting 4th, although I would rather see him come off the bench as he could pretty much fill it up at either the halves, full-back, hooker and at a stretch even in teh centres. Agree that it would be farcicle to include Matt Cooper AND Mark Gasnier in the team, thought I think Gasnier will be included no doubt.

 

[bushranger]

Inglis is a chance as he is better then hodges

 

[Sladest]

Darren Lockyer is in pretty good form at the moment, this would be reflected by the Broncos sitting 4th, although I would rather see him come off the bench as he could pretty much fill it up at either the halves, full-back, hooker and at a stretch even in teh centres. Agree that it would be farcicle to include Matt Cooper AND Mark Gasnier in the team, thought I think Gasnier will be included no doubt.

I don't think Lockyer is anywhere near the player he was when he was at fullback. He shows glimpses of his best from time to time but overall his play is average to that of a good five-eigth. The Broncos seem to be winnning games at the moment through sheer power in the forwards and the form of Hodges out wide.

In saying this though, a Thurston and Lockyer combination in the halves for Australia would be my preference post Andrew Johns.

 

[Sladest]

Inglis is a chance as he is better then hodges

Hodges, Tate, Gasnier, Cooper, Bell, Gidley and Tonga would all be in front of Inglis at the moment.

Inglis is a young raw talent, not too disimilar to that of a young Justin Hodges.

Though we all remember what happened to Hodges when he was picked for queensland before his time.

 

[bushranger]

Bell
LOL

He was not good enough for us

 

[Sladest]

Bell
LOL

He was not good enough for us

Good enough to keep Greg Inglis out of the side

 

[Calthorpe14]

wheres Cameron Smith and crocker

Smith is the best hooker in the game
he is underated

You are joking aren't u????

1 A.Minichello
2 J.Hodges
3 M.Gasnier
4 M.Cooper
5 M.Sing (not sure if available)
6 J.Thurston
7 A.Johns
8 L.Bailey
9 D.Buderus
10 P.Cinovaceva
11 N.Hidmarsh
12 L.O'Donnell
13 B.Kennedy

14 W.Mason
15 S.Tronc
16 D.Lockyer
17 M.Bowen

 

[bushranger]

inglis and smith and crocker should be there and maybe the big surprise at no 6 Cooper Cronk

 

[Harry Freis Tash]

Bundaberg Rum Test Team

Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 6:19 PM

ARL Chairman Colin Love has today annouced the following players have been selected to represent Australia in the Bundaberg Rum Test Match against New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium on Friday 5 May:
Fullback: Anthony Minichiello (Sydney Roosters)
Wing: Matt King (Melbourne Storm)
Centre: Mark Gasnier (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Centre: Matt Cooper (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Wing: Timana Tahu (Parramatta Eels)
Five Eighth: Darren Lockyer (c) (Brisbane Broncos)
Half Back: Andrew Johns (Newcastle Knights)
Lock Forward: Ben Kennedy (Manly Sea Eagles)
Second Row: Nathan Hindmarsh (Parramatta Eels)
Second Row: Luke O’Donnell (Nth Queensland Cowboys)
Prop Forward: Petero Civoniceva (Brisbane Broncos)
Hooker: Danny Buderus (Newcastle Knights)
Prop Forward: Willie Mason (Bulldogs)
Interchange: Johnathan Thurston (Nth Queensland Cowboys)
Interchange: Mark O’Meley (Bulldogs)
Interchange: Steve Menzies (Manly Sea Eagles)
Interchange: Steve Simpson (Newcastle Knights)

 

[LebaneseForces]

GREAT Team!!! NZ Picked a pretty strong team as well... BRING ON THE TEST MATCH
There hasn't been so much hype for a test in a long time

 

[Harry Freis Tash]

I reckon Minichello is a certainty ... he's probably been our best rep player over the last few years.

Lockyer will be in the 6 and captain - that means Thurston is on the bench - alternatively if Joey doesn't pass his fitness test Thurston will wear the 7

Cooper is likely to be there in the centres - would mean Hodges moves to the wing or they go for a specialist - someone like Grothe who is a big unit to counter the big kiwi backs ... for that reason Inglis misses out ... don't rule out Willie Tonga making a return in the centres and Cooper or Matt King play on the wing

In the pack - big Willie Mason is playing well -p would have to be in the mix ... surely Carl Webb must come into contention ... Steve Simpson has also been brilliant for the Knights

Well I wasn't far wrong - Mason, Simpson, Thurston, King and Cooper all there ... am suprised to see Menzies in the team - thought Carl Webb deserved his spot but I guess Menzies can cover a back-row and centre position in case of an injury

One observation though - only three Queenslanders - Lockyer, Petero and Thurston - back to the bad old days of selection table policy!

 

[Harry Freis Tash]

Mitsubishi Electric Bulldogs' Roy Asotasi and Sonny Bill Williams have been named to play in the 19-man New Zealand side to face Australia in the Anzac Test Match at Suncorp Stadium this Friday.
Brett Webb
Jake Webster
Tame Tupou
Clinton Toopi
Paul Whaturia
Steve Matai
Nigel Vagana
Benji Marshall
Thomas Leuluai
Ruben Wiki
Jason Cayless
Nathan Cayless
Roy Asotasi
David Kidwell
Frank Pritchard
David Faalogo
Sonny Bill Williams
Louis Anderson
David Faiumu

 

[LebaneseForces]

Mitsubishi Electric Bulldogs' Roy Asotasi and Sonny Bill Williams have been named to play in the 19-man New Zealand side to face Australia in the Anzac Test Match at Suncorp Stadium this Friday.
Brett Webb
Jake Webster
Tame Tupou
Clinton Toopi
Paul Whaturia
Steve Matai
Nigel Vagana
Benji Marshall
Thomas Leuluai
Ruben Wiki
Jason Cayless
Nathan Cayless
Roy Asotasi
David Kidwell
Frank Pritchard
David Faalogo
Sonny Bill Williams
Louis Anderson
David Faiumu

You a Bulldogs fan? Only two websites mention the Bulldogs as Mitsubishi Electric and it's their official site and rleague.com that get sent news from the official site... If you are Great to hear!! If not become one hahaha

 

[Harry Freis Tash]

You a Bulldogs fan? Only two websites mention the Bulldogs as Mitsubishi Electric and it's their official site and rleague.com that get sent news from the official site... If you are Great to hear!! If not become one hahaha

Nah - followed the link provided by your good self ... and a Broncos fan through and through!

 

[LebaneseForces]

Nah - followed the link provided by your good self ... and a Broncos fan through and through!

Fair call...

On to the Test Match, I honestly reckon New Zealand will win in a nail bitter, Australia will be fired up though!!! Unfortunately there are massive calls for Queenslanders to boycott this game (Lead by the Courier Mail, Thanks New Limited) because of the selections... On the positive side of things over 24,000 tickets had been sold as of close of business last Thursday, so realistically anything under 40,000 would be a massive disappointment, COME ON QUEENSLANDERS GET OUT AND SUPPORT YOUR COUNTRY.

Test Match Rugby League There Is Nothing Better...

 

[Mikes4]

Fair call...

On to the Test Match, I honestly reckon New Zealand will win in a nail bitter, Australia will be fired up though!!! Unfortunately there are massive calls for Queenslanders to boycott this game (Lead by the Courier Mail, Thanks New Limited) because of the selections... On the positive side of things over 24,000 tickets had been sold as of close of business last Thursday, so realistically anything under 40,000 would be a massive disappointment, COME ON QUEENSLANDERS GET OUT AND SUPPORT YOUR COUNTRY.

Test Match Rugby League There Is Nothing Better...

Why should we support our country when they snub their noses at our players who are clearly in better form than those from NSW, who have been selected.

You do realise they would have picked Barrett instead of Thurston, but feared a catastrophic public backlash had they?