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Sheens: We must look to the new generation

Roar Guru
13th October, 2014
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Australia’s next superstar could rise out of the Kangaroos’ injury-hit Four Nations squad, says coach Tim Sheens as he prepares to usher in a new era of internationals.

With nine Test incumbents unavailable and a slew of other stars injured, as many as six rookies could make their Australian debuts in the Kangaroos’ opening match of the tournament against New Zealand in Brisbane on October 25.

Sheens pointed out on Monday that Australia was in a similar situation at the end of the 2007 NRL season, when then Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart was forced to blood a number of new players, led by Jarryd Hayne in just his second year of first grade.

Preparing to announce his 24-man squad on Tuesday, Sheens said a great opportunity existed for some of the game’s promising young players to become Kangaroos squad regulars.

“The chance will be there for these youngsters, but you don’t know how they will go, you don’t know how they will handle it until they are put into that furnace,” Sheens said.

“That is the big test that is ahead of them.

“The last big change was back in ’07, when Ricky Stuart took seven or eight debutants to Wellington, ahead of the World Cup the next year.

“Some of those players went on with it, while some of them didn’t.

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“One of those who went from strength to strength was Jarryd Hayne.

“It is up to these players now to take their chance and press on with, to be a part of this side into the future.

“Over the course of the tournament, we will see what this group is made of.”

Stuart’s side, containing the likes of Hayne, Israel Folau, Greg Inglis, Dallas Johnson and Kurt Gidley thrashed the Kiwis 58-0 in Wellington.

The Kangaroo side that lost the 2008 World Cup final in an upset to New Zealand contained the likes of international rookies Joel Monaghan, David Williams, Anthony Tupou and Anthony Laffranchi.

Monaghan, Williams and Tupou never played another Test after that World Cup loss.

Laffranchi only gained one more cap.

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Sheens was giving little away when asked about possible bolters, but Alex Johnston, Dylan Walker, David Klemmer and Dylan Napa have been linked to Kangaroos debuts.

“Those Rabbitohs guys that have been mentioned, young Walker and Johnston have been discussed,” Sheens said.

Given the relative strength of the New Zealand and England sides named for the four-week tournament, Australia could for once be rated underdogs for the Four Nations, with the final to be held in Wellington on November 15.

From the Australian side that defeated New Zealand 30-18 in the Anzac Test in May, Johnathan Thurston (shoulder) Billy Slater (shoulder), Brett Morris (shoulder), Matt Scott (shoulder), Nate Myles (biceps), James Tamou (neck) and Matt Gillett (shoulder) are confirmed withdrawals.

NSW captain Paul Gallen cannot be considered due to his anti-doping ban, while Darius Boyd (personal issues) is also unavailable.

Adding to the selectors’ dilemma, other possibles – Justin Hodges (knee), Josh Dugan (thumb), Trent Merrin (shoulder), Will Hopoate (leg), Dave Taylor (neck) and Andrew Fifita (arm) are also unavailable.

NSW halves Trent Hodkinson (knee) and Josh Reynolds (shoulder) are also likely to be omitted.

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