The selection of Australian rugby league team to face the Kiwis on Friday night has caused a bit of a ruckus. Notably that five Broncos players made the squad when their team is running 1 from 5 at the moment. Two players, Lockyer and Hodges, deserve their inclusion. The others are only in because they played for Australia back in the Tri-Nations at the end of last season.
New Zealand has been closing the gap on Australia over the past few years. They may not have the depth of Australia (see Krisnan Inu in the side after only one first grade game – though he is a great player in the making) but with their exposure in the NRL they have the skills, the talent and the toughness. There is also the motivation brought about by Trans Tasman rivalry.
Australia has been coasting a little and while the players expect a tough match against the Kiwis, the selectors seem to be living in the past.
Having the test before State of Origin doesn’t help. But a few players (O’Meley, Bowen for example) could understandably feel aggrieved at not gaining selection.
If Australia is interested in maintaining their dominance they need to pick the best they have and go on form, not reputation or past glories.
2 responses so far ↓
Club Troppo » Missing Link // Apr 20, 2007 at 1:40 pm
[...] Shaun Cronin publishes his tips for the forthcoming weekend’s NRL round, and doesn’t think much of some of the Australian team selections for this evening’s rugby league test against the Kiwis. [...]
Shaun // Apr 20, 2007 at 11:45 pm
Damn you Hunt and Tate for playing blinders.
Ok, Berrigan wasn’t noticed but credit the others for turning it one when needed. The Kiwis dropped too much when in scoring positions. The 30-6 scoreline flattered the Aussie just a little but it was a good game (not a great one).
For the Kiwis, Eels centre Krisnan Inu looked like a player with a few seasons of NRL under his belt, not one with only one first grade appearance. He did well at fullback.
But Thurston was the difference between the two teams. He is in the form of his life at the moment.