Since the Kangaroos squad of 24 was finalised (after Jarryd Hayne did his draft-dodging runner to the USA), I’ve not seen a single positive article about our national side.
It’s not a lack of pride. We’ve all got pride in the green and gold – whether we are chosen to play, someone from our team is picked, or another favourite player is there. It’s not a lack of pride.
Is it disappointment that so many ‘big names’ aren’t playing? I’m not too sure about you mob, but with names like Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith and Daly Cherry-Evans, it doesn’t get much bigger.
If you’re dirty that players like the Morris twins, Hayne, Paul Gallen or Luke Lewis aren’t fronting the opposing teams, you’re going to be seriously dismayed when these old fellas retire in the next year or so. Okay, maybe not the Morris boys, but certainly most of the front and second row auto-selcts are over 30 and approaching retirement.
So what the heck is going on?
I can tell you, and you’ll probably agree… it’s the cockiness of the other three teams.
The Poms have the younger Burgess Boys, Gareth Widdop and big James Graham. The Kiwis are a point-scoring machine, with guys like Shaun Johnson, Manu Vatuvei, Gerard Beale, Kieran Foran, and Issac Luke. Even Samoa have a star-studded squad, with the like of Josh McGuire, Reni Maitua, Frank Pritchard and Ben Roberts.
They honestly think they can knock off any 17 the Aussies list. So why aren’t we defending our boys? Either we’re actually worried about a 2008 repeat, or there’s no faith in a rookie squad who have limited game time together.
Well take a look at Penrith’s season 2014. A team full of rookies and players who’d had limited time playing together made it to the grand final qualifier against all odds. And that’s likely what Matt Moylan and Josh Mansour will bring to an untried Kangaroos team.
With noted players like Cronk and Smith leading the team around the paddock, Robbie Farah on the bench, and Inglis in the backline, you’re writing this side off? Have you learnt nothing? Granted, Tim Sheens is no Gus Gould or Ivan Cleary, but really? No support?
England could barely show up against a Kiwi side we belted in the World Cup last year, and they are practically an unchanged side. Samoa, no matter how many NRL guys they’ve got, will be about as dangerous as a Ricky Stuart-coached side. The Kiwis are the only real threat, and they are in the same shape as the Roos – full of new blood, and ready to give their all for their country.
Mark my words, it’ll be an Australia versus New Zealand Four Nations final, with the green and gold lifting the trophy again.
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