So Stephen Kearney and his selection delegates reckon they want to “build for the future” by “experimenting” with their team for Friday’s trans-Tasman Test?
Well, let me give you some free advice in a disparaging tone, Kearney old son.
By mucking around with your selections for this important match, you’ve also mucked around with the sanctity of Test football. What do you think this is? Your own private Parramatta 2.0?
In these dark days of unpopularity where the global game rocks back and forth in need of a credibility hit, the pointy end of the Test arena is no place for flippant rearranging and a ‘see how she goes’ mentality.
This will be proven tonight when Australia grotesquely thrashes this rag-tag bunch of bad news bros in front of a small crowd with even smaller interest levels. It will be a scene of eye-clawing revulsion to rival the sights under the 2am ugly lights of a regional nightclub, and it will all be the fault of Kearney’s desire to try before he buys.
Let’s not mince words: the coach and his selection boffins have had a Barry. What happened to the sacred nature of Test match football, where you picked the best available players for international duty regardless of form, after-dark proclivities or where they were born?
Sure, pitchforking in a newbie or two is understandable. They’ve got to be internationally coat-hangered at some point, right? But cruelly lobbing six in to the deep end without the calming support of some veteran life buoys? That’s manifestly reckless and a smelly cupcake in the face of all of the great international teams that have gone before him.
It makes me question his ability, his motives and most of all, his sobriety.
C’mon, Stephen. This is supposed to be the jewel in the international crown. The clash of the titans. First versus second. Big brother versus little brother. Where Aussie class and guile meets head-on with an opening 20-minute Kiwi power surge.
Now we’ll be lucky to get even five minutes of fire and brimstone with the lambs he’s sending to the abattoir. Hopefully he gets them to perform the extended Haka and we might get our fill.
Sadly, there’s no amount of valiant spruiking about the Kiwi debutantes’ “fresh enthusiasm” or “youthful exuberance” that will polish this nard. We all know what it will be; the equivalent of a sumo wrestle between Darryl Brohman and Allan Langer.
To make matters worse, the damage of tonight’s eyesore will ripple deeper than the 80 minutes. Have we all heard that the Four Nations is coming up at the end of the year? Are we already desperately grappling for some kind of anticipation for it?
Let’s rate your eager-beaverness with tonight’s lopsided snorefest being the last taste of international footy in your mouth for six months. After being dished up a prolonged tournament of international’s finest’ in the aftermath of the NRL finals euphoria, I can guarantee you won’t be experiencing any personal pandemonium requiring Stilnox.
In saying all of this, contrary to public opinion, international rugby league will not die in front of our eyes tonight. It will just cop a humiliating kick up the bum, thankfully without too many eyewitnesses in attendance.
In all seriousness, the global game has a face like an old hooker’s boot – bashed, oily, mistreated and rather odorous. But also like that tough old piece of leather, it’s weathered a helluva lot over a long period of time and stood to tell its tale – usually around six to eight times per year depending on the obligations of the TV deal of the time.
Thanks to Test footy’s strong foundations built on the fabulous Kangaroo tours of yesteryear, the hideous violence of the grand Pommy teams and the recent occurrences of life-giving Kiwi upsets in major tournaments, world competition still has skin in the game when it comes to the league landscape.
But we must take care; the grand old girl is running as close to the guillotine as she ever has, so we must nurture her like a frightened kitten. The only way to do that is with respect. And cash is good, too.
The honouring of the game’s values starts at the top, and to those at the epicentre of the world game like the Kiwi coach we must say this: Test jerseys aren’t for test-runs. They must be granted to those worthy on each and every occasion, lo that future matches may become like what tonight may be – a dinner date with the missus.
So to Kearney and to anyone else looking to get funky with the game, please put away the dartboard at selection time when your country is on the line.
Otherwise there won’t be a future to build for.
tigerdave
Guest
The real people denegrating test footy , and iondeed the NRL, is the media. They have the golden goose and want to choke it. Lets sit down and reflect on what we saw on the weekend. A fantastic and close test matc An, under 20's SOR that was a amazing showcase for future talent. Samoav Fiji (really an interclub match) where many players that have been going ordinary in club, played out of their skins for their country of birth. Fiji were in front againt the odds. After their main playmaker left the field in the first half with a head knock, the Samoans got on top. City v Country, where all players were looking for to stamp their passports for Lang Park at the end of the month. Lets call it for what is is...a fantastic representative weekend. Players carrying small injurieds for clubs had a week to rest. Come on media...stop bagging the game and promote the rep weekend. You whinge too much.
tigerdave
Guest
Cedric, take heart mate. Kearney has ensured the Kiwis aren't a duplication of the Warriors. Take JWH and SBW, both couldn't take the critism over the stillnox affair at the world cup. SBW didn't even want to be selected for the game. It may have been a "look at me" ploy and have the Kiwi's begging him, like the WC. Mate, if wants to treat his Country jumper like that, let him go.....you don;'t need him. As for the team, with Foran and Luke, they would have gone pretty close. This team has a future for you. They seem to be playing for each other and seem to be on the same page. The game plan gave the Aussies a lot of trouble, take a bow, Kearney. As for the difference in the WC and now, how many points did the Kiwi's score in the WC final?
tigerdave
Guest
It take a big man to do this. Good on you mate. You have earnt respect fro all and sundry. I'm so glad that the KIWI's will not become another Warriors basket case because of Kearney. It would have been interesting with Foran and Luke. The Kiwis played with so much intent and heart, but lacked the finess and composure at the end of the game. Foran would have done that for them. Interesting times ahead. Alas I think Billy Slater has shown us that his representative career is in it's twilight.
tigerdave
Guest
Care to take that back now Jack.
Jack
Guest
Wow. Don't you look like a right fool right about now Dane? In all honesty, the only people denigrating test football are the NRL. A transtasman test has no place as a meaningless one-off mid season encounter... The players and the fans stil have their minds firmly on club footy, and that's not what you want in big games like this.
V.O.R.
Guest
+ 1 CC yep awful quiet around here all of a sudden ;) Well done Kiwis. Kearney has laid down the law, he wants more than glam and big personalities. We saw some substance out there last night. Kearney just might have begun the keenly sought after resurgence in competitive international RL. Time will tell. Regardless the guy has guts and a vision. Sticking his head on the chopping block is very admirable.
Cedric
Guest
I don,t think I'm off the mark at all. the guys last night were good, but they lost. If our world cup side had stayed together i believe we could have won. They know each others play, if they had had Johnson directing like he did last night our WCup forwards would have chewed them up and railroaded the Roos'. We lost by 12 points are we lookin like we now have a better chance of beating them in October, no I don't think so. And if we lose in October what then, sack them? Just because we came within 12 points we try and justify the sackings, I don't think so. I've seen numerous styles of coaching, I like Wayne Bennetts and the way he talked with our guys in 2008. You watch in October the Roos' forwards will go back to basics and gang tackle and we won't get the fast play the ball like we did last, that changes so much of the dynamics of the game. Also, how many points did we get in the 2nd half. I won't be happy until we win!
Elron
Guest
Haha, good on you Dane for trying :)
Dane Eldridge
Expert
I saw Steve for coffee this morning. I begged him for forgiveness. His reply? 'Who the hell are you and what are you doing at my table?' Nevertheless, I think my groveling got across to him as I was escorted from the establishment. NZ were magnificent last night and proved me and many other doubting Toms to be off the mark. Now they've just gotta maintain the rage!
Bearfax
Guest
All I can say is well done NZ. Your players did you proud. Kearney's gamble paid off and he deserves congratulations from all. But I wonder how many journos who bagged the test will come out of their ego shell and admit they were wrong.
Ra
Guest
Good work last night kids. Just a bit of ball playing experience around the ruck in the last quarter and Kenny-Dale finish down the right flank missing last night would have made the game more interesting
Cedric
Guest
Even though I still believe those kiwi selections to be wrong on so many levels, the guys on the field covered themselves in glory. Wow, I'm impressed. Do you think the Roos' were a little underdun. Even so it was a good game. Now, will Sheen's be making wholesale changes. No, he knows he failed to a degree. That failure was in the form of not getting inside his players heads. In the changing room after the game there would not have been too many who could look Sheens square in the eye. Do you think Sheens might play the reel of the Moa try (and a few other incidents) a couple of times in front of a few players. I'm sure he will, maybe not now, but sometime in October! Margaret were not bagging the game were discussing the ins and outs that's what happens in forums or sports shows. I think silence and only praise is for dictatorships or maybe communisum (sic). " I have a voice, let it he heard", didn't someone famous say that......or was that me after a few sherberts!
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
With the performance of the Kiwi team last night,the only people I suggest who denigrated the sacred nature of Test football are the knockers of the team selection by Kearney and the usual other code cynics. Humble pie to be eaten in public? I sincerely doubt it.
Margaret M
Guest
Thank you We had a Game Of Rugby League
Margaret M
Guest
Still a game of Rugby League . Hope we are all are entertained tonight by this game & no other issues to listen to morrow morning or talk about like The iffs or butts or a decision etc.,, Rugby League fans , Please do not bag the game If some thinking or changes to be done , here it is. To some , the old saying a change is as good as a holiday . Bring it on Lets hope The Game of Rugby League is a winner tonight
hemi
Guest
I agree,I actually like the team we have, but would've been more dangerous if Foran,Leuluai and Isacc Luke weren't out injured.
JACK
Guest
you must be joking Kearney has done a great job ???WHERE he is an embarrassment JACK
Cedric
Guest
Lookin at that form comment by Kearney, kiwis' have 4 storm forwards including 18th man. The Storm have been in poor form having won 1 of their last 5 games and having the 3rd worst defensive record in the comp. Who did Stephen play and coach with, yeah you guessed it. But still,I hope our guys cover themselves with glory. Not long now!
Albo
Guest
Well said Jase ! The Kiwis have a young but enthusiastic team all with good current NRL form. Sure they could do with a couple of their injured brigade on board. But you know they will always turn up when they have that black jumper on ! Whilst I don't think they can get away with a win over arguably the greatest Aussie team we have fielded, they will be giving it a go and spirit can take them a fair way into the game !
Rooster Ego
Guest
Same article, different day (yawn)...move on, next topic!