With the ANZAC Test looming it has got me thinking about the benefits such a Test could have, on both sides of the world, if we made just a few changes.
With the quality of players that are missing out this weekend, what if we had a united team of New Zealand and Australian players who didn’t make the cut for their first teams?
Uniting an ANZAC side would no doubt peak interest in the NZRL world as in the NRL and the Super League.
So who would make the side?
This would be my lineup:
1 Brett Stewart
2 Nathan Merritt
3 Jamie Lyon
4 Steve Matai
5 Shaun Kenny-Dowell
6 Kieran Foran
7 Daly Cherry Evans
8 Aaron Woods
9 Robbie Farah
10 Sam McKendry
11 Matt Gillett
12 Ryan Hinchcliffe
13 Shaun Fensom
Reserves: Tony Williams, Trent Merrin, Anthony Tupou, Ben Barba.
There are so many players to pick from. A lot of guys can get extra big game experience and bring it back to club level.
Is there another side that can beat the side above?
Could this concept be a new edition to the rugby league calendar?
What do you think, Roarers?
Bearfax
Guest
Good point Mailman. Despite the objections to city vs country etc you must have a process where players have the opportunity to show their wares at a higher level to assess their future potential, other than the usual group who dominate SOO and tests. Cricket does and it gives the selectors a chance to blood good fringe players.
Mailman
Guest
With so many good players around, they should've had an Aussie A and NZ A team to curtain raise. This would've given both teams the opportunity to blood their up & comers/fringe players and unearth some hidden talents. The disadvantage is, it would've also meant a lot of these players would become ineligible to play for other countries in the World Cup unless of course they made an allowance under the eligibility rules that only the top side counted in World Cup year.
Bearfax
Guest
You're right Robz and Renegade. Thanks for revealing my foolishness in not checking first. Realised my mistake when I checked the Foxtel programme. Pleased that its showing as with a number of the other games because they should be entertaining....still think the present admin are turkeys but their appearance on the Thanksgiving dinner table has been deferred.
The Spectator
Roar Guru
I also think a United Kingdom v.s Anzac.s test could be looked at, May generate more interest in the game in NZ and the UK if marketed properly.
Renegade
Guest
Yes, that's correct. Bearfax you can see the game on Fox Sports....they deserve a pat on the back for broadcasting this game.
Robz
Guest
Pretty sure Fox are showing the Samoa v Tonga test on Saturday night
Bearfax
Guest
Would love to see the Samoa vs Tonga test coming up but I suppose no one will show that. Games like that should be promoted to inject greater interest in the game internationally.. But we've got turkeys in charge of our game in Oz at the moment. Please come Thanksgiving.