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New Zealand will be out to secure their fourth straight victory over the Kangaroos when the two teams collide in the annual Anzac Day Test match. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7.30pm AEST.
The Kiwis are enjoying a good period of dominance over the Kangaroos and still possess a squad capable of inflicting further pain on their once dominant trans-Tasman rivals.
On paper, it appears that Australia once again contain a favourable edge in the playmaking positions with Cooper Cronk, Johnathon Thurston, Darius Boyd and Cameron Smith all in good form.
New Zealand will be without Kieran Foran (personal issues), Issac Luke (poor form) and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (injury). Shaun Johnson will once again be tasked with providing the creative spark required to break open a strong Kangaroos outfit.
With the Kiwis devoid of options in the playmaking spine, Stephen Kearney’s men need to turn tonight’s contest into an arm wrestle, and they certainly possess the forward pack to win a tough contest upfront.
Jesse Bromwich, Adam Blair, Greg Eastwood, Jason Taumalolo and Martin Taupau each rank as formidable forwards at club level and will be primed for a big showing against a strong Kangaroos pack led by Origin stars Matt Scott, Paul Gallen and Corey Parker.
In terms of debutants, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak finally gets a chance to make his mark against the Kangaroos after several false starts. The Penrith flyer is an immensely talented player and possesses the x-factor required to cause Australia’s defence huge problems if given space to roam.
Eels winger Semi Radradra will also have plenty of attention focused on him as he makes his debut for the Kangaroos on the wing. He will be keen to pitch in with a strong showing tonight to end what has been a tumultuous week for himself off the field (eels salary cap scandal) on a high.
Michael Morgan is another debutant that could blow this game wide open for the Kangaroos in the second half. He has been in sensational form for the Cowboys this season and he undoubtedly serves as the trump card up Australia’s sleeve should the hosts run into trouble.
With the Kangaroos containing a key edge in attacking creativity, Mal Meninga’s men deservedly start favourites once again. The Kiwis however are value if they can play the percentages well and turn this contest into an arm wrestle given the strong pack at their disposal.
Given that the Kiwis are enjoying a good run of form against Australia, one expects them to give a strong account of themselves before succumbing in a tight contest.
Kangaroos by 4