Injury looks set to be as influential as NRL finals form when Test selectors sit down to finalise their Four Nations squad on Wednesday.
Chairman of selectors Bob McCarthy admitted there was concern for Bulldogs prop Ben Hannant (shoulder/elbow) while Gold Coast co-captain Luke Bailey confirmed he had withdrawn from the Kangaroos train-on squad to undergo arm surgery.
The forward stocks look set to be the most hotly debated with injury clouds also over Nick Kenny (Broncos), Anthony Watmough (Manly) and Michael Weyman (St George-Illawarra) – not good news with Steve Price and Brent Kite already ruled out.
But it augured well for Melbourne trio Brett White, Ryan Hoffman and Dallas Johnson after McCarthy said the greatest emphasis would be placed on NRL finals form at the selection table.
“It will be a major factor. A lot of blokes have not played for a while but some have played on Sunday,” he told AAP.
White said at the Storm’s civic reception in Melbourne on Tuesday that it would be “a dream” if his name was read out by selectors while Johnson admitted he “wasn’t counting his chickens”.
Clive Churchill Medallist Billy Slater said the Storm trio had “warranted” a Kangaroos nod.
Melbourne’s Cameron Smith, Greg Inglis and Billy Slater are certainties.
But the odd man out may yet be the man Slater believed should have received the NRL grand final’s man of the match medal – halfback Cooper Cronk.
While McCarthy said Cronk “would be mentioned” when they settle on a 24-man squad, he said the final call on contentious decisions would be given to coach Tim Sheens, which does not sound good for the Melbourne No.7.
Sheens is believed to be favouring his former Wests Tigers playmaker – and current Gold Coast co-captain – Scott Prince as Johnathan Thurston’s back-up.
Sheens is also expected name Robbie Farah as his back-up for hooker Smith.
“If there is a deadlock it will go to the coach,” McCarthy said.
The last time Melbourne won the premiership in 2007 they had seven Australian representatives – it was also the first and last time Cronk and Johnson played for their country.
The ever-hopeful Cronk said he would “keep his mobile on” on Wednesday.
“Obviously my fingers are crossed and hopefully I get the call,” he said on Tuesday.
“I’ve had a taste of wearing the green and gold jersey once before and I want another taste of that.
“It’s a great opportunity, one of the most humbling experiences I’ve ever had.”
Meanwhile, Bailey revealed just how painful his recovering arm had been after pulling the pin on his Kangaroos chances.
Bailey will have a metal plate removed from his right forearm in an attempt to be fully fit for the start of the 2010 NRL season.
It was inserted to help heal a broken arm but it was aggravated against the Dragons in round 13.
“Two weeks out from the end of the season it was hard to brush my teeth after a game for two or three days,” Bailey told the Gold Coast Titans website.
“It was restricting my training a bit and I lost a fair bit of strength in my whole arm.
“It got to the point where it was affecting my form a bit. It is something I want to get done.”
In a boost for his Titans teammate and Maroons backrower Ashley Harrison, Queensland Rugby League boss Ross Livermore said the heroics of their Origin-winning team would not be forgotten at the selection table.
“Two of the four Test selectors are Queenslanders so the form of the Queensland Origin team will be taken into account,” he said.
Possible Four Nations squad: Billy Slater, Jarryd Hayne, Justin Hodges, Greg Inglis, Israel Folau, Darren Lockyer (c), Johnathan Thurston, Ben Hannant, Cameron Smith, Petero Civoniceva, Anthony Watmough, Nathan Hindmarsh, Dallas Johnson, Kurt Gidley, Robbie Farah, Sam Thaiday, Scott Prince, Justin Poore, Ryan Hoffman, Ben Creagh, Brett White, Michael Weyman, Josh Morris, Trent Waterhouse.
MyGeneration
Roar Guru
Greg, I'd stick with Hindmarsh (earnt it in the GF), but put in O'donnell in for Hoffman if available. Hoffman is very much a product of the Storm machine, IMHO. Couldn't possibly leave Farah out, and Brett Morris should be one of the first wingers picked, scored some of the purest wingers tries during the season, lightning speed and great feel for when and how to dive.
Greg Russell
Roar Guru
Is Luke O'Donnell available? His form in the first half of the season was sensational, and he carried this into Origin, in which he was one of only 5 NSW players to perform at a level warranting Australian selection. The others were Wing, Hayne, Creagh and Watmough. Unfortunately Wing (going to Japanese rugby) is unavailable, but I'd like to see the others rewarded with Australian selection. There is much to admire about Nathan Hindmarsh, but isn't he yesterday's man, not to mention that he offers little in attack? I'd prefer to see Ryan Hoffman selected. I find Brett White to be overrated - please select anyone but him! I could live with the other "possibles" above, although it might be time to reward Cronk ahead of Prince. It's unfortunate that at least one of these two superb footballers will have to miss out. I wouldn't complain if Gidley, Farah and Waterhouse missed out. They are all very good footballers, but their merits are a little exaggerated by selectors. As an incumbent Kangaroo and a winning Qlder, Darius Boyd may be selected, perhaps ahead of Josh Morris. On which point, can someone please explain to me how Josh has come to be regarded as better than Brett? I see two brothers who are equal in almost all ways. Warren Ryan has highlighted Josh's poor passing to his outside winger. If anything this argues for Brett, who as a winger only has the job of finishing, not passing.