1 Billy Slater (Melbourne Storm)
2 Brett Morris (St George Illawarra Dragons)
3 Greg Inglis (Melbourne Storm)
4 Jamie Lyon (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
5 Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta Eels)
6 Darren Lockyer [c] (Brisbane Broncos)
7 Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm)
8 Petero Civoniceva (Penrith Panthers)
9 Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm)
10 David Shillington (Canberra Raiders)
11 Luke Lewis (Penrith Panthers)
12 Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos)
13 Paul Gallen (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
Subs:
14 Kurt Gidley (Newcastle Knights)
15 Josh Perry (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
16 Anthony Watmough (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
17 Michael Weyman (St George Illawarra Dragons)
18th Man - Nate Myles (Sydney Roosters)
The annual ANZAC Test Match between Australia and New Zealand is upon us. It's no surprise to me that Sam Thaiday and Darren Lockyer were selected for the side. Sammy is having a blinder of a year and Darren Lockyer is, well, Darren Lockyer. I'll probably cop it from a few different directions for this but I'm not convinced Locky should have been selected. His form doesn't warrant it however his reputation got him selected. I hope he steps up for the occasion but I also hope he backs up for us on the weekend.
Some have come out and said that Israel Folau got a rough deal by not getting selected. To the one-eyed supporters out there - he hasn't done much this season. He was injured for part of it and when he is on the field, he seems to have forgotten how to pass to his outside man. It wouldn't surprise me if ARL didn't pick Izzy based on deliberating about his contract but honestly, would he have gotten in regardless? Someone who should count his lucky stars is Greg Inglis. He's having a very quiet year but we all know he's got the talent. Hayne's a joke - he was picked purely because he won the Dally M last year. He's been almost absent for Parra but they pick him out of position nonetheless.
Another to feel the sting of missing the side is Josh Morris. What more does he have to do? He's unfortunately stuck with a misfiring Bulldogs side but I think if he was put in a solid team he would destroy the opposition.
Slater and Cronk are not surprising selections. Both are having great seasons as usual - Billy's a little quieter than usual but he's still the best Fullback in the game. Cronk is the form half of the competition as far as I'm concerned and was a shoe-in considering JT's injuries.
Civoniceva, Smith, Lewis, Watmough and Weyman selected themselves. The biggest shock for me is Josh Perry. People like Matt Scott and Jason Ryles really missed out. Luke Lewis and David Shillington were also really solid decisions.
The Kiwi's are fielding a solid team with only Benji Marshall being a top quality player. Don't get me wrong - Hohaia, Nightingale, Luke and Taia etc are very solid players but they aren't in the top echelon.
Australia to romp it home. Come back tomorrow for a Broncos preview!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
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Isn't Josh Morris injured? And has Ryles had enough match time to be considered?
ReplyDeleteThere is a question mark on Morris yes but even then I'd put Jennings in before Inglis. Hell, Cooper as well. And Beau Champion. The point is that Inglis got in a bit too easily I think.
ReplyDeleteRyles has played the last 4 games as well so I can't see why not - Gidley's played less than that and got in.