Kangaroo coach Tim Sheens will have to pull some rabbits out of his hat to keep his impressive record intact when the ill-timed Four-Nations kicks off next week.
So far 22 Australians will miss the tournament, including top-liners Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater, Brett Morris, Paul Gallen, Trent Hodkinson, Matt Scott, Nate Myles, Matt Gillett, James Tamou, Josh Dugan, Justin Hodges, Darius Boyd, Trent Merrin, Will Hopoate, and Andrew Fifita.
Jarryd Hayne added to Sheens’ problems by his shock code switch yesterday to American football, effective immediately.
Since he took over from Ricky Stuart in 2009, Sheens has coached the Kangaroos to 16 wins from 18 internationals, with a 20-all draw against the Kiwis in 2009,and a 16-12 loss to New Zealand in the 2010 Four-Nations final, the only blemishes.
But if here’s one coach in the country who can still get the Kangaroos home, it’s Tim Sheens.
The 63-years-young Sheens will groom his 11 uncapped youngsters to fit in among his 24-man squad.
Built around the experienced nucleus of skipper Cameron Smith, Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk, Michael Jennings, Ryan Hoffman, Greg Bird, Sam Thaiday, Daly Cherry-Evans, Beau Scott and Robbie Farah, the ‘kids’ will have a crash course in how to compete at the top level.
Panther full-back Matt Moylan is my pick to shine. He was a surprise omission from the original squad, but won a reprieve when Hayne pulled out.
Moylan has often been compared to Darren Lockyer, and that’s high praise.
But I’ll go a step further, and see a lot of Graeme ‘Changa’ Langlands in Moylan. Langlands could play anywhere in the backline he was so talented. Moylan is quite capable of doing the same if given the chance.
Another immortal, Bobby Fulton, once told me “Changa was the greatest footballer I ever played with or against”.
There could be no greater compliment.
But that’s not undermining the capabilities of the other 10 rookies, where there’s talent to burn.
Four classy wingers head the list – Knight Siona Mata’utia, Panther Josh Mansour, Rooster Daniel Tupou, and Rabbitoh Alex Johnston.
Mata’utia will become the youngest Kangaroo in history when he gets a guernsey.
Israel Folau holds the record at 18 years 194 days, a record set in 2007. Mata’utia is 18 years 112 days, so has plenty of time up his sleeve.
The other rookies – Bronco Ben Hunt, Rooster Aidan Guerra, Rabbitoh Dylan Walker, Wests Tigers’ Aaron Wood, and a couple of Bulldogs – David Klemmer, and Josh Jackson.
Hunt will have a tough job ahead of him behind half backs Cronk and Cherry-Evans, but no doubt Sheens will look at Hunt’s versatility to fill the hooker’s berth to put some pressure on Farah.
So don’t write off the Kangaroos, Tim Sheens will see to that.
Muzz
Guest
Near Timbuktu
Bluebag
Guest
That's the key. They may be able to hold the Kiwi pack but they won't be able to hold the Poms with the lack of size.
Bluebag
Guest
Where is Wold?
Gazzatron
Guest
I'm putting some cash on the Poms to take out the 4 nations. They should have a pretty strong squad compared to the Kiwis and Kangaroos. There's about 40 players not taking part due to injury and fatigue.
Renegade
Guest
Yeah definitely an alcohol induced idea there mate haha we'll leave it at that!
Muzz
Guest
I've had an "alcohol induced" idea and i'm not sure if it has any merit because it's "alcohol induced" What if we capped the four nations tournament or the ANZAC test ? i.e each nation has say (for argument sake) $10 million to spend based on a players annual salary. Would make for a even contest, hence more entertaining, and would blood new talent.
Muzz
Guest
Obviously i want us to win the tournament. However, i hope the games are closely contested and we witness some good footy.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Yep, back from the dark side haha. I actually do mate, I give both them and the poms a chance. I was at the ANZAC test this year where we were close to a full strength outfit and the Kiwis were right in the contest and our victory was certainly earned. This side doesn't have anywhere near the class of the World Cup squad from last year. It's still quality no doubt, maybe I'm just a spoilt Aussie who is used to having the best 13 players on the field wearing green and gold. It's certainly not the case in this tournament.
Muzz
Guest
Good to see you back from the soccer tab in 1 piece mate. Do you give the Kiwi's a chance against our "weak" line up?
Renegade
Guest
Haha it's a weak Australian side compared to what we are used to.
Muzz
Guest
I like the new look Kangaroo side.Not the biggest pack but very mobile.Strange not seeing Gals name in the squad.Coops and Cherry should shred.
The eye
Guest
The only player from that NZ squad to make my Aussie side would be Jessie B...wouldn't swap a fit Cooper-Cherry combo for anyone..Woodsy,Parker and Guerra will rip in in the centre,Hoffman and Cordener running the lines,Bird and Beau keep law and order and Cam Smith runs the show..we are in good hands
Terrosilops
Guest
How tragic. For once the Roos are not the Wold All-Stars.
Muzz
Guest
Sam Moa withdraws from Four Nations. Bodene Thompson has been called up.
Muzz
Guest
weak or weaker ?
Cadfael
Roar Guru
No, you can't blame Hayne for any possible negative results. You would then have to blame the earlier 21 players who pulled out first.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Hayne is a big loss to the Kanagaroos no doubt. They are there for the taking.
Silver Sovereign
Guest
he should be vulnerable after bringing Robbie Farah on tour again
The Barry
Roar Guru
Parra - I reckon they are better in the backs than the forwards. While Inglis, Johnston, Jennings, Walker, Mansour, DCE, Cronk is almost a complete re-shuffle it's still a pretty potent backline, particularly if Inglis and DCE have had the chance to shake off their niggling injuries. I reckon we'll struggle up front. There's no middle third metre-eaters with Scott, Gallen and Tamou out. Parker is brilliant but will be wasted if he's churning out hit ups off his own line. Thaiday and Papali aren't really suited to that role either. Woods is good but doesn't stack up as a replacement for Scott (who does?) Sheens will need to change tactics to suit the skill sets of the players he has available. Should be very interesting to watch.
Renegade
Guest
It's a weak side no matter which way you look at it..... doesn't have the superstars or the aura normally associated to a Kangaroos outfit. Keen to see how we go.