Kiwis squad: Gerard Beale, Adam Blair, Jesse Bromwich, Lewis Brown, Greg Eastwood, Sosaia Feki, Kieran Foran, Tohu Harris, Siliva Havili, Peta Hiku, Shaun Johnson, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Thomas Leuluai, Issac Luke, Simon Mannering, Suaia Matagi, Sam Moa, Jason Nightingale, Kevin Proctor, Jason Taumalolo, Martin Taupau, Manu Vatuvei, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Dean Whare.
Kiwis missing Tuivasa-Sheck, Waerea-Hargreaves, Hurrell, McKendry and Matulino
Forwards win games. The backs decide by how much.
M Scott, J Morris, Tamou and Lewis out as well.
Injuries piling up for the Aussies and the Kiwis, could be a great chance to beat both of them. Both of them have superior halves but our pack is probably the most powerful and neither of them are as strong across the back 5 as they have been in recent tests.
Forwards win games. The backs decide by how much.
i dont blame these aussies ducking out of the squad. i wouldn't fancy my face on the end of james grahams head either!
screaming in the family corner, scaring the kiddies
http://www.rugbyleagueplanet.com/rlp...-nations-squad
Samoa 4 Nations Squad.
Looking forward to seeing Mose Masoe play for Samoa...at least they haven't overlooked the team that finished top of the league.
Not sure how well ticket sales are going (Googled but cannot find any update), the Brisbane game is being advertised pretty regularly on TV, so perhaps not so good so far. Do like the idea that they have assigned ticket 'zones' this year to put fans of the same nation together.
Gone Walkabout...
Plenty of stuff going on post-Grand Final:
http://rlif.com/rugby-league-interna...e-takes-centre
http://www.nrl.com/holden-kangaroos-...2/default.aspx
Lots of absentees for the Aussies, could be as good a chance as we get to turn them over on their own soil. Still got class over the park though and could field this team:
Greg Inglis, Josh Mansour, Jarryd Hayne, Michael Jennings, Daniel Tupou, Daly Cherry-Evans, Cooper Cronk, Aaron Woods, Cameron Smith, Sam Thaiday, Ryan Hoffman, Boyd Cordner, Greg Bird
Subs: Robbie Farah, Corey Parker, Josh Papalii, David Klemmer
And here's what's missing just through injury, never mind non-selection:
Billy Slater, Brett Morris, Josh Morris, Josh Dugan, Darius Boyd, Johnathan Thurston, Trent Hodkinson, James Tamou, Michael Ennis, Matt Scott, Nate Myles, Anthony Watmough, Paul Gallen, Subs: Andrew Fifita, Trent Merrin, Luke Lewis, Matt Gillett
Last edited by The Wee Waa Womble; 14th October 2014 at 03:15.
Forwards win games. The backs decide by how much.
I hope Josh Mansour does start for Australia - he's been awesome this year and he's great to watch
Hope England give a good account but I don't have us down as winners
Good article. Whilst I agree with majority of it, we actually need to develop some longer term planning... a 5-year plan is not long enough... but governance is the key issue. The NRL, NZRL and RFL need to develop the RLIF develop into a proper governing body as it those organisations who are stifling the international game from developing properly through self interest.
Scotland beat Wales (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/29663783) and a big shcok in Dublin where Ireland have turned over the French 22-12.
RL in Bosnia!
http://www.rlef.eu.com/news/article/...u16-tournament
Joel Tomkins starts for England in front of elliot whitehead and Brett ferres what a joke!
The good news is graham is skipper as lockers misses out through injury.
Tomkins
Charnley
Watkins
Shenton
Hall
Widdop
Smith
Graham
Hodgson
G burgess
Farrell
J Tomkins
Westerman
Hill
Clark
T burgess
Ferres
McNamara strikes again. Joel Tomkins has done nothing since he's been back. Shocking selection.
NEVER WRITE OFF THE SAINTS
I think he's picked a good side there to be honest, although I agree Whitehead should be in over Tomkins. Little else to argue about though.
I cannot see that back 3 bursting anyone's bubble!! The "Man of Steel" on the bench, again? Oh, I forgot, he is unable to play a full game for some reason. Only 3 players could be called 'world class' in that squad. Not good enough.
It's easy to pick a backrow when you have Sam Burgess, SOL and Ben Westwood available.
Unfortunately for McNamara he can only pick from who is available - Farrell and Westerman deserve their spots IMO, Tomkins over Whitehead is a poor decision (having said that I've never been convinced by Whitehead in defence, but he's clearly had a better season than Tomkins and is very, very good with the ball).
Nobody had Ferres down as good enough before the world cup - perhaps we give the lads a shot before slating them (I know it's not the England way, but might be worth a try?)
I think Joel Tomkins was very fortunate to be selected, but Whitehead is probably the worst defender in Super League as a back rower. I would have taken Ablett, who is a very underrated player IMO.
I would also have had Sarginson on the bench as he can cover positions #1 to #6