By Scott Woodward
November 14th 2009 @ 2:42am
Loading ...Related coverage
Only one Kangaroo would make a World forward pack
International rugby league is alive and well. No longer are Australia feared by the Kiwis or England. The gap is closing, and as far as forward skill and power is concerned, it has closed.
New Zealand have arguably the best forward pack in the world, and don’t forget they went into the Four Nations without Roy Asotasi and Sika Manu.
England have it all with, A Morley (Warrington), K Sinfield (Leeds), J Graham (St Helens), J Peacock (Leeds), G Ellis (Wests Tigers), S Burgess (Bradford), E Crabtree (Huddersfield), B Westwood (Warrington) and J Wilkin (St Helens).
Australia is a clear third in the muscle department, and relies heavily on their all star backline. Based on current form, only Anthony Watmough would have claims of making a world forward pack.
Surprisingly, giant forward David Taylor was left out of the Australian Four Nations squad.
Get Australia's best NRL opinion emailed daily.
Like this content? Buzz it up!
Free Email updates:
Our daily emails are only sent if there is content for the sport or that author. You can subscribe to multiple daily emails; or get the daily Roar email with all our content in it. We value privacy. More...
(20)
Justin said | November 14th 2009 @ 6:07am | Report comment
You got one part right, it is alive
Mick from Giralang said | November 14th 2009 @ 6:39am | Report comment
Scott: good article, I think the Kangaroos’ mantle as invincible has been slipping for some time now. With green and gold flowing through my veins that gives me no pleasure but the upside is a growing and thriving international scene. When an understrngth Kiwi side can win the world cup and and English side put 16 unanswered points on us in one half, you know theinternational game has healthy foundations..
Paul J said | November 14th 2009 @ 9:51am | Report comment
Yes the gap is closing and may close further if more poms decide to play in the NRL in the future.
The one Kangaroo i would have picked is Cam Smith.
Robbo said | November 14th 2009 @ 10:14am | Report comment
and only Seven Kangaroos would make a World backline.
Robbo said | November 14th 2009 @ 10:16am | Report comment
you are joking leaving Smith and Moimoi out? Aren’t you? Australia by 60 tonight.
ScottWoodward.me said | November 14th 2009 @ 10:34am | Report comment
Robbo, I am NOT talking about a hooker and Moi Moi plays for NZ. Cam Smith is the best hooker I have ever seen. My article was about power forwards, 2 props, 2 back rowers and a stand off lock.
NZ will actually gain another “forward” when Manu Vatuvei comes back.
MattRusty said | November 14th 2009 @ 12:10pm | Report comment
I share Robbo’s confusion – isn’t the hooker in the forward pack???
So does Watmough then make it “two kangaroos would make the world forward pack”?
It’s a team game, so the real measure is how the entire pack works together, not highlighting individuals. Our start studded backline would not be able to do the things they do (Lockyer wouldn’t be putting Inglis into gaps) if the forward pack wasn’t do a brilliant job – which they are – whoever wins tonight has the best pack in the world.
ScottWoodward.me said | November 14th 2009 @ 1:41pm | Report comment
MattRusty I have already answered the hooker question.
The success of the Aust team is NOT because of the forwards and even if Aust do win as expected, it will probably be because the forwards went ok, they certainly will not dominant England. You do not need to give guys like Slater, Thurston and Inglis many chances to hurt you.
If the Aust back line were playing behind the English forwards the game would be over now. Regardless of the Final result England have a superior best 5 forwards (minus hooker).
Robbo said | November 14th 2009 @ 8:18pm | Report comment
Scott – we all know Foifoi plays for NZ. Whats your point? It’s still laughable that you left him out of your pack.
Robbo said | November 14th 2009 @ 8:20pm | Report comment
My apologies – I misread the article and thought the 7 British players you named comprised your opinion of the worlds best forward pack! Thats why I was confused about you leaving Foifoi out.
ScottWoodward.me said | November 14th 2009 @ 10:35am | Report comment
Oh and Robbo, if you are betting I would caution you to check out the weather as heavy rain is forecasts and it is a soccer ground with little grass.
Robbo said | November 14th 2009 @ 8:17pm | Report comment
Scott – they could play it underwater and Australia would win by 20. I could be red-faced tomorrow!
ScottWoodward.me said | November 14th 2009 @ 8:28pm | Report comment
Robbo, they may very well win by 20. It is an amazing back line, the best I have ever seen, but it is wet (http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/1) and the poms have a better forward pack.
I also do not like the coach changing the wings around on the final game which means we have 2 new centre/wings combos, and I dont see the point in having Gidley on the bench when Luke Lewis is playing. I would prefer another forward, not that we have that much.
jus de couchon said | November 15th 2009 @ 4:43am | Report comment
Excuse me for questioning the remark that “international Rugby is alive and well” . Because the Kiwis and the Lions /Brits/ English are presented as some kind of Global game by the R.L is a continueing source of mirth to many people. I look forward to the next example the R.L dreams up in an effort to expand what is essentialy a healthy game into the next market driven dead end . The League “product” may have a future if it realises growth of the game needs the long term investment in realisable goals and not instant sound bite driven pie in the sky media driven bull .
ScottWoodward.me said | November 15th 2009 @ 10:06am | Report comment
jus I am not sure if you watched the game this morning, but with 26 minutes to go there were only 2 points in it and with 13 minutes to go Australia only led by 6 points.
England took the field with a brand new back line 1 to 7 chokers with kids under 21. They will only get better and NZ have 3 world class players to come back. FYI Aust only drew with NZ in the first test match and they beat them in the World Cup.
You sound like a jealous Rugby Union guy. Surely you are not comparing the two products. RL is going gang busters and RU is going backwards with dumb rules designed to help the ref blow the pea out of his whistle.
Justin said | November 15th 2009 @ 7:09pm | Report comment
Suggest you look at the crowd figures over the weekend to see which game is in rude health…
By the way the only margin that counts is the one after 80 minutes, not 54 or 67….
Paley said | November 16th 2009 @ 3:09am | Report comment
Having read some of the union match reviews the impression I get is that counting people in the crowd would be more rewarding than actually watching the game
Paley said | November 16th 2009 @ 3:08am | Report comment
What are you on about? Instead of writing in riddles why don’t you just tell us what your point is?
ScottWoodward.me said | November 15th 2009 @ 9:08pm | Report comment
Justin so I was correct you are a RU guy.
In Australia no one goes to club RU and it does not rate in the top 100 Foxtel shows/games. There is a very good reason, people get bored watching penalties and shots at goal.
Justin said | November 16th 2009 @ 7:35pm | Report comment
Scott – you are correct on those three facts, not the last statement however.
S14 is RU version of the NRL so it is best to compare apples with apples… Never said Union was bigger than NRL here but anyway but here and we know which is bigger.