The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Kangaroos train-on squad ready to push incumbents

Roar Rookie
12th September, 2014
Advertisement
Has Billy Slater played his last NRL game? (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Roar Rookie
12th September, 2014
55
1253 Reads

The train-on squads for the Australian and New Zealand national teams were quietly announced at the start of the week, and a close analysis of the names on the list provides some startling observations, especially within the Australian team.

The train-on squad is chock-a-block with players from this year’s NSW Origin team.

So, how would the train-on squad match-up against the Australian representatives involved in finals football?

(Note: All top eight players listed are considered most likely to be chosen. Train-on squad players who didn’t play Origin in 2014 aren’t considered likely to play.)

(Position: Top eight versus train-on squad)

MORE NRL FINALS
» FULL NRL FINALS DRAW
» Tim Gore’s stat attack: part 1
»
NRL Finals information, team lists, full coverage
» 2014 NRL Finals: full guide to week one
» Roosters vs Penrith preview
» Manly vs South Sydney preview
» North Queensland vs Brisbane preview
» Mastermind’s NRL Finals preview

Fullback: Billy Slater versus Jarryd Hayne
The incumbent is up against arguably 2014’s best fullback. Slater has had a stranglehold on the Australian No. 1 jersey for years, and rightfully so. But the form of Hayne this year cannot be overlooked, as he almost single-handedly carried Parramatta into the top eight.

Based on this, and the fact NSW won Origin off the back of some Hayne Plane brilliance, the Eels star gets the nod.

Advertisement

Verdict: Hayne

Wingers: Daniel Tupou versus Will Hopoate and Brett Morris
A slight weakness area for Australia. Tupou has had a scintillating year, stamping himself as the best highball specialist in attack. Hopoate and Brett Morris each played only one Origin game, but Morris has had a more consistent year.

Verdict: Tupou and Morris.

Centres: Greg Inglis and Michael Jennings versus Josh Dugan
Jennings and Inglis both put bums on seats and can tear defences to shreds, be it through brute strength, or explosive speed and agility.

Dugan has surprised many with his performance in the centres, and did a great job defending Inglis during Origin. Inglis and Jennings can’t be ignored though.

Verdict: Inglis and Jennings

Halves
Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk and Daly Cherry-Evans are all involved in the finals and between them will be Australia’s 6 and 7.

Advertisement

Props: Matt Scott and Sam Thaiday versus Jacob Lillyman and Aaron Woods
All four have had tremendous years. Scott and Thaiday were some of the best performers during Origin and are the leaders of their respective forward packs at club level.

Somewhat of a quiet achiever, Lillyman has successfully fought his way back into the Queensland side. Woods has come of age this year and can only get better.

Verdict: Scott and Woods

Hooker: Cameron Smith versus Robbie Farah
Smith has proved the doubters wrong and has captained the Storm into another finals series. His rugby league brain is one of the smartest in the business.

Farah meanwhile has done well to ignore all the off-field drama and has been the most consistent player for the Tigers. You can’t leave out the Australian captain though.

Verdict: Smith

Second row: Ryan Hoffman and Boyd Cordner versus Beau Scott, Josh Papalii, Dave Taylor, Luke Lewis
Australia is spoilt for choice in this area. Hoffman was a deserving joint winner of the Brad Fittler Medal and Cordner has developed into a future captain for the Roosters.

Advertisement

Scott’s ability to defend is up there with the best. Lewis has missed a lot of the year through injury, while Papalii and Taylor have been patchy.

Verdict: Hoffman and Scott

Lock: Corey Parker versus Trent Merrin and Greg Bird
Both Parker and Bird have been consistent picks in the Australian team for the past three years. Both have a wealth of experience in this position.

However Merrin’s 2014 could be regarded as his best so far; he finished top 10 in NRL for offloads made, and top 20 for tackles made. With an eye for the future…

Verdict: Merrin

Best team
Five players from the train-on squad have secured their starting spots, and it can be estimated that at least half the Australian interchange bench will be members of train-on squad as well.

The two main messages out of all this are that you can have the best fullback or forwards in the NRL but unless you have quality halves you won’t make the eight, and the Australian train-on squad is by no means second-rate.

Advertisement
close