International Four Nations discussions

[Aucklander]

Who are the controversial omissions from Australia's rugby league squad?

Manu Vatuvei was an obvious big name left out of the Kiwis squad named on Tuesday by new coach David Kidwell for the upcoming Four Nations rugby league tournament.

But with more weapons at his disposal, Australian coach Mal Meninga was able to make more notable omissions. Let's run through who Meninga hasn't chosen.

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[NathanMX]

Fifita abuses a junior ref, supports a coward punching dog for the world to see and now wants to take his bottle and go home now he has not been selected for Australia.

Rugby league players used to be tough, now they all take after Money Bill William$

 

[Bomberboyokay]

Not much of a threat. NRL would be glad if left.

 

[Aucklander]

Mannering out.

The Kiwis most experienced player, former Warriors captain Simon Mannering, has been ruled out of Saturday's trans-Tasman test with the Kangaroos in Perth as he continues to recuperate from knee surgery.

Mannering, who has been capped 41 times, has remained in Auckland in order to be fit for the Kiwis upcoming defence of the Four Nations tournament in England.

The 30-year-old had a knee tidied up last month and has been given an extra week to rehab the joint before linking up with the 24-man squad ahead of their departure for Huddersfield.

Mannering has missed the Kiwis last two assignments - last year's 2-1 series loss to England through illness and May's Anzac Test due to injury.

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[Aucklander]

Hearing from our resident NRL watcher in Perth that, the game has sold out. Expecting a Kiwi win here by 10.

 

[Santana]

So where is the outrage with Kata playing for NZ? or is it only a bad thing when the Roos do it?

 

[moto748]

Well it's nice to see a Wigan player take the field in an Oz/NZ game , but although I think Tommy was one of the Kiwis' better performers, they never really looked like winning against an Australian side who looked like they had a gear or two left.

How accurate a guide this is to the Four Nations is harder to say.

 

[2006_Eagles]

How can guys like Thiaday take themselves seriously as a professional athlete when they are fat as shit? Or anyone else for that matter.

SMDH

 

[Aucklander]

Very disappointing performance by the Kiwis. Well beaten in just about every facet of the game.

SKD was hopeless and almost solely responsible for costing us the game, although the forwards let us down there too. SJ and TL were poor and simply offered nothing when required.

Great crowd and well done to the people of Perth who once again have shown excellent support for the game.'

 

[Aucklander]

Oh and what a sad state of affairs having those dickheads in the commentary being the voice of the game. An absolute disgrace.

 

[Jatz]

Oh and what a sad state of affairs having those dickheads in the commentary being the voice of the game. An absolute disgrace.

Who was in commentary?

While it's nice to give the WA fans something to watch, I do find these games completely pointless.

 

[Aucklander]

Who was in commentary?

The same guys who make it easier to watch the games on fox all year round.

While it's nice to give the WA fans something to watch, I do find these games completely pointless.

It's pointless if we aren't going to follow it up with expansion into the area.

 

[Tiger Phil]

Yes it's time for WA Reds!!!

 

[royboy2]

Sam Burgess smashing the Kiwis early, he's on a mission tonight

 

[royboy2]

Really good 1st half to watch, England dominated the 1st half and couldn't capitalize, Kiwis take over in the 2nd half (of the half) score a try and penalty to take a slender lead to half time.

 

[moto748]

Yes, enjoyable contest so far. Lomax and McGillvary both been really good; our centres, not so much.

 

[royboy2]

Silly errors cost England in the end, and had no real cohesion going forward.

Shaun Johnson MOTM by so far it's not funny, amazing performance had he not been out there England win by 20.

Kiwis in the box seat now to make the final, but need to improve a heap to take it up to the aussies.

 

[moto748]

Can't argue with that. SJ seems to have plenty of critics in NZ/Aus, but one thing he generally does do is step up for the big games, and he showed what a wonderful talent he is. I just love watching him play.

I can't imagine Bennett will want to make many changes, but I'd have liked to see Percival of Saints, and/or even Bateman, in the centres.

 

[moto748]

Bennett not making friends in England with his churlish monosyllabic responses when interviewed by Tanya Arnold of the BBC.

Doesn't bode well.

 

[Wallaby]

Well, if you have to have National Anthems before a game, that's how to do it.

Good singers, no bullsh*t 'clever' arrangements, no vocal gymnastics. Just sing the songs well, and get on with it.

AFL and everyone else, take note.

 

[Aucklander]

Nice anthem, good first 5 minutes and then we turn to shit.

 

[CURVE]

Refs are refereeing NZ and Scotland differently. NZ are able to hold players down a little longer.

 

[CURVE]

Well done Scotland. Deserved a point at least.

 

[moto748]

Best game of the tournament so far by a distance. Terrific effort by Scotland; if only they'd shown a bit more composure with their last play options with the field position they had. Once again the Kiwis have to thank Johnson for showing his class when needed. Honestly I can't see England getting past the Kangaroos, but if they do, there'll surely be ructions in NZ if they don't make the Final?

Now of course the RFL should be taking advantage of this result to try to grow the game in Scotland, but given their dismal failure to build on the success of the last World Cup, no-one is holding their breath.

BTW, where is NU? I miss his posts, and he doesn't seem to have been around for ages.

 

[Aucklander]

Refs are refereeing NZ and Scotland differently. NZ are able to hold players down a little longer.

Who was it? We get screwed over every single game with the opposition having one of their own in the middle.