In the eyes of rugby league selectors, big is certainly beautiful. Both Australia and New Zealand have looked to size to help them gain Trans Tasman superiority at this year’s ANZAC test.
The Kangaroos know to expect a physical encounter and have looked to land a pre-emptive strike with a forward pack built to withstand the NZ onslaught.
The Kangaroos backline largely picks itself and it’s hard to argue with the backline of Slater, Brett Morris, Inglis, Lyon, Hayne, Lockyer and Cronk.
An injury to Jonathan Thurston clearly handed the halfback job to Cronk, although his own form over the last month has been exceptional, while the absence of Folau despite the hype of his impending departure from the code does have creditability in regards to form.
Jamie Lyon has been in great touch for the Sea Eagles, and Folau while immensely gifted hasn’t been as dominant since returning from injury.
The positions in the pack were always going to be the most hotly contested, but the Aussie selectors have opted for size and work rate. A backrow of Thaiday, Lewis and Gallen has plenty of toughness to it and more grit than some of the flashier backrowers left to City v Country in Port Macquarie.
A bench of Perry, Weyman and Watmough should tell you everything you need to know about what sort of night it’s going to be.
The Kiwis went oh-so-close to knocking over the Kangaroos in London last year with a bash and barge approach to their opening match of the try nations and they will certainly look to do the same with plenty of kilos in this year’s side.
Benji Marshall will be pulling the strings with Kieran Foran in the halves and then it’s largely about beef.
Frank-Paul Nuuasuala, Adam Blair and particularly Jared Waerea-Hargreaves all gave the Aussies plenty of headaches last time with their all-action physical approach and coach Stephen Kearney will no doubt be feeding them plenty of red meat this week.
A real surprise in the Kiwi squad though is Sika Manu, yet to play a match this year. I know the New Zealand jersey is meant to help players grow three feet (very helpful for Lance Hohaia) but does it make you match fit as well?
Slowly but surely rugby league Tests between Australia and New Zealand have been growing in creditability and intensity from a definite low point of a number of years ago, and a great atmosphere in the new stadium in Melbourne should have the Kiwis up for the battle.
The Kiwis have started to prove adept at ambushing the Kangaroos in one off Tests and while all the predictions will no doubt side with the home side this year I’ll refuse to write off the Kiwis.
Coach Stephen Kearney is probably the best respected coach not in a head coaching role in the NRL and his stocks will rise even further should the Kiwis upset the apple cart on Friday.
Teams:
Australia: Billy Slater, Brett Morris, Greg Inglis, Jamie Lyon, Jarryd Hayne, Darren Lockyer (capt), Cooper Cronk, Petero Civoniceva, Cameron Smith, David Shillington, Luke Lewis, Sam Thaiday, Paul Gallen. Interchange:Kurt Gidley, Josh Perry, Anthony Watmough, Michael Weyman.
New Zealand (squad): Adam Blair, Kieran Foran, Alex Glenn, Bronson Harrison, Aaron Heremaia, Lance Hohaia, Issac Luke, Sika Manu, Benji Marshall, Steve Matai, Ben Matulino, Jason Nightingale, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Sam Perrett, Sam Rapira, Junior Sa’u, Zeb Taia, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.
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