Tim Sheens is considering taking a huge gamble in the Rugby League World Cup final by selecting veteran centre Brent Tate as one of his four interchange players to take on New Zealand this Sunday morning (AEDT).
With fullback Billy Slater on course to make a miraculous recovery from the knee injury he suffered in the Kangaroos demolition of the USA in the quarter finals, it is likely Greg Inglis will switch back to the centres and force Tate out of the starting 13.
However, this does not necessarily spell the end of his tournament, with Sheens hinting a spot on the bench is a possibility.
Tate is a gifted ball runner who has spent the majority of his career playing in the centres for the Broncos, Warriors and Cowboys.
He is also an excellent finisher and has played on the wing at club, state and international level.
There is no doubt he would inject some speed and energy coming off the bench, but this appears to be nothing more than a selection based on sentimental value.
Tate missed the 2008 final loss to the Kiwis after tearing his hip flexor in Australia’s semi-final victory over Fiji.
He has also fought back from a career threatening neck injury to achieve some of the game’s highest accolades.
While this would be a fairytale finish to the popular 31-year-old’s international career, a World Cup final is no place for such a gamble.
Let’s not forget that Tate has already been dropped in favour of Parammata fullback Jarryd Hayne and is basically on standby if Slater fails to overcome his injury in time for kickoff.
Hayne has scored seven tries in the Kangaroos last two outings and has formed a lethal right edge pairing with winger Josh Morris.
Daly Cherry Evans is the team’s preferred utility interchange player and has had a stellar tournament so far.
This begs the question: What would Brent Tate’s role be if he was selected on the bench?
Surely against a monster Kiwi pack, and newly crowned international player of the year Sonny Bill Williams, a specialist forward would have a much better impact then an outside back.
Tate is courageous and would have no problems with the workload, however New Zealand have such quality across the park that any potential weakness will be exposed.
After a dislocated shoulder ended Luke Lewis’ campaign prematurely, Josh Papalii has found his way into the squad and would add some much needed aggression to Australia’s fringe defence.
He can also step up to the front row if necessary and has had a breakthrough tour so far.
If there did happen to be an injury to one of the Kangaroo’s superstar outside backs, Cherry-Evans, Greg Bird and Corey Parker are all capable of slotting in to a reshuffled formation without too much disruption to the game plan.
The Kangaroos are desperate to avenge their 2008 World Cup final loss and should Billy Slater succumb to his knee injury then Brent Tate is worthy of a place in the centres.
However, using him as an impact player may be a gamble not worth the risk on such a grand stage.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Liked Vern, not Frank ... I certainly preferred Bruno Cullen as a fullback, player and person ... Frank's game involved far too many below the belt tactics - "balls and all", so to speak ... Physically, the Daisy's where bigger men then their famous nephew Scott Prince ... Not sure Frank or Vern would have had the discipline to "make it" in the big time ??? As would have it the Daisy's also played in the Mackay competition where their "reputations" are legendary, apparently, but certainly don't supercede the NRL players that hailed from that area also ... As for the Isa, it's names like Tassell, "Tiger" Slater, Smith, Nixon, Brosnan, Bawden, Hammond, Mucken, Wilson, Notaris, McCabe, Mahoni, Butterfield, Grew, Grayson, Notaris, McCabe, Hansen, Truscott, Atherinos, Laffin, Fossey, Granzien, Yamaguchi and so many others who I preferred to watch, cheer and support ...
Bigjohn
Guest
Thats true Stormtrooper2, the mighty Isa must have had something in the water, apart from lead. And don't forget the Daisy boys. They made concrete look soft.
Bigjohn
Guest
I am not making excuses, it is actually quite difficult to score tries without the ball, which in most of the games so far, has been shovelled out to the side where Morris and Hayne are operating. It is not a conspiracy, just appears to be something that Sheens wants to try. Perhaps it is a ploy to make the Kiwis think that the same thing will happen tonight. And if anyones selection on the tour is questioned, lets ask why Farah went along.
Raugeee
Guest
I remember that era too, only 2 reserves and the player coming off had to be injured ( supposedly ). Nowadays it's a different game. If you leave a player out of the rotation it disadvantages your team.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Probably not Muzz - Now that would be something to write about !!! Another Isa league story - Twins, Denis and Terry Keeffe played for Brother's RLFC as a winger and centre, respectfully, and used to play pranks like that on occasion - Just to confuse the umpire - Noel Simonsen, Slaters' grandfather ... A lot of tit for tat in them days - wouldn't have wanted it any other way ... Arthur Fien (a Forward), is the father of 7's commentator and former Dragons player, Nathan Fien, also played for Brothers - albiet he didn't win many popularity contests on any given Sunday afternoon ... Ron Slater was not only talented, but popular, and played for Town RLFC, so It is no surprise to me that Nathan's opinion of the Aussie fullbacks last week did not swing Slater's way ??? Rivalry runs deep in country league circles - I hope Nathan's bias doesn't rise to the surface tonight - albiet he'll be supporting New Zealand ... As with Slater's mother, I also played softball with Nathan's mother ... His Grandmother Mary, of NZ origin, was a highly respected softball umpire ... I can tell you - It was no mean feat playing catcher with Mary peering over your shoulder or her disapproval when I questioned her calls - I remember her with great fondness ... Although I never reached great heights, I had the privilege of the experience surrounded by some of Queensland and Australia's best players and supported by the Australian and Queensland softball coaches of that era. Some of Australia's greatest sportsman hail from Mount Isa, golfers, swimmers, tennis players, league players etc.
Muzz
Guest
I wonder if Sheens would notice if the twins made a switch? : )
arthur
Guest
Eddie, the winger's namne is Brett Morris, not Josh Morris.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
SHEENS ENCOURAGES LESSER USED RLWE PLAYERS ... http://www.nrl.com/sheens-encourages-lesser-used-rlwc-players/tabid/10874/newsid/75599/default.aspx
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
I'm from the era of 80 minute players - and those who played for love, not money ... Oops, showing my age now ???
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
At the top level of team sport, coaches use psychology as a tool to bring out the best in players - NO ONE LIKES TO BE LEFT OUT !!! For someone who was injured, given little hope of making the squad, let alone the team, SLATER is proof of that - His training session was sensational - He was leaving no stone unturned, no question unanswered - He also knows and respects that the final say is up to the coach ... I've been reading some player reviews on how it all went down - Nothing but praise for the champion and professional that Billy Slater is and has always been ... Tate too, DCE still in the learning phase - And, he would have been hurting that he warmed a bench for 80 minutes - The pain of waiting for the coaches decision won't be easy either and Sheen's is certainly playing his cards well - He knows that no matter who he selects, they won't let him down - They will be out their later today to prove their worth to their team, to themselves, their coach, fans and country ... That's all there is to it, and it won't do a player any good not to support or understand why the 14 man team Sheen's does select isn't deserving - Coaches have memories like elephants - Tantrums at any level of team sport is not exceptable and at International level certainly not professional ... Just wish the Aussie fans would get on board with it all and stop trying to bring any one of the Aussie boys down !!! Give it up for them all !!!
Raugeee
Guest
This Boyd overrated campaign is ridiculous. Does everybody think NSW are a team of easy beats? Overrated should only be used when the idolisation is pathetic - as in SBW. Boyd just simply plays his part perfectly and wins games. Boyd is also a player that represents onfield insurance. Say both Slater and GI are injured, Boyd moves to fullback ( He played there in Roos 34 - 20 victory 4 nations 2010) put Bird and DCE in the centres and Hayne on the wing. Hope this doesn't happed though :)
Raugeee
Guest
I hope so Muzz. No time to be getting cold feet.
Raugeee
Guest
That was the ANZAC test 2012 played in Auckland. Australia won 20 - 12 but that didn't vindicate the ridiculous decision. It would be disrespectful to NZ to have an insurance player there. We need 4 player rotated throughout the 80 minutes.
Raugeee
Guest
I love Tate but the side is so balanced as it is. The bench of Papali, Fifita, Parker, DCE is superb. Tate on the bench would be insurance. I hope Sheens isn't losing his nerve. Remember he gave DCE 0 minutes from the bench in the ANZAC test. He can be conservative. i would prefer it he dropped Billy and put Tate in as the same side as vs Fiji last week. I suppose this could all be a minor psychological ploy.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Queensland - 8 straight SOO series .. Slater, Tate, Boyd, Inglis, Thurston, Cronk, Smith - (Hodges is out injured) ... Inglis may be the only one available for the next RLWC ... The question then will be, who will fill the vacant positions and how well will GI play without the play makers in the team he runs on with in a dozen hours or so ??? All eyes will be on GI and SBW - who will reign supreme ??? Or will it be the small men on the field who decide what team wins or looses ???
Brett the Manly fan
Guest
the real questions is why the fudge is dsrius boyd in the team..... i say replace him with tate
Trent the flight steward
Guest
Sooo sick of tate
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Tate is tough and has experience with the Queensland spine and of course GI at Centre - Hayne has experience at State and International level, not as defensive as Tate, but has more "vision" then Jennings (who isn't in the equation) ... With GI , Tate, Boyd, Hayne or Morris, the coach needs to decide what is paramount - past, experience, size and nouse - Of course WINNING ... Then he'll weigh up DCE's role - He'd be best used on the bench, for my mind ... The Kiwi's won't be there for a picnic and they will certainly be up to the task and the fight to retain their title and reputation ... GO AUSSIES GO !!!
Muzz
Guest
I think Sheens is just foxing.
bbqer
Guest
Well ive watched the Tate in the 3 games he's played. In the first game against England he was to blame for the first 2 tries after letting a bomb bounce and missing a tackle. Hes played centre against 2 teams that are not up to WC standard and still hasn't scored a try. Every other player in the backline he scored at least one try including the halves and dce. Hayne has scored 9 tries and is the top try scorer in the tournament. And you really want to pick a player that "wont let anyone down"? To me that means you are making excusses for him already. The figures speak for themselves.