The right team and tactics can help the New Zealand Kiwis take down the Australian juggernaut
A new era of Test football has arrived. The Australian dominance is over, interrupted by a New Zealand emergence that provides the Kiwis an opportunity to win four consecutive matches for the first time in 63 years.
Unfortunately, as we saw in England throughout last year’s series, this in not the full strength team that has been such a force in recent times.
While the Australian team fields a relatively full-strength squad minus Billy Slater and Will Chambers, the New Zealand selection process has centreed around who’s available more-so than who’s in form. To say they are missing some important pieces would be some kind of an understatement.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Kieran Foran, Simon Mannering, Dean Whare, Jared Waerea-Hargraves will all miss through injury. Form (or behaviour) costs the spots of Ben Matulino, Issac Luke, Manu Vatuvei and Benji Marshall – a long list.
The lack of depth is without doubt a dent to the confidence, however not all hope is lost. There is definite potential in the squad that’s been named, laced with attacking flair and a mix of both youth and veteran leadership that could trouble the Australian side.
With only a squad being named at this point, step one is to select the best 17 to take down the star studded kangaroos. Among the 19-man squad, there is variety of options considering both the versatility of the players and the spots that need to be covering.
The team
1. Hiku
2. Kahu
3. Kenny-Dowall
4. Glenn
5. Watene-Zelezniak
6. Harris
7. Johnson
8. Bromwich
9. Brown
10. Blair
11. Proctor
12. Ma’u
13. Taumalolo
14. Nikorima
15. Moa
16. Eastwood
17. Tapau
The backs
Peter Hiku is the best available option with no primary fullback available and the other options lacking the experience or ability at the back. Outside of Tohu Harris and Shaun Johnson he will provide a strong combination of both playmaking and running game.
With the size and ball running Australia has opted for in the centres with Josh Dugan and Greg Inglis, it is essential to have the necessary defensive ability to stop their counterparts.
With the lack of depth this is a problem area and where Dean Whare, one of, if not the finest defensive three-quarters in the league, is really missed.
Shaun Kenny-Dowall is a proven veteran with 17 Tests under his belt, and Glenn’s versatility allows him to slide over a spot to fill in the left centre void.
This pairing has the size, 102kg and 100kg respectively, and tackling ability to stop the power running game from the outside taking a toll on the Kiwi defensive line. This needs to be an area of priority for New Zealand and they can’t afford to select anyone in those two positions who is at all considered inexperienced or a defensive liability.
Also, at 194cm SKD provides a great high-ball target from this spot.
The two options for the wing have put up nearly identical numbers over the season, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak replaces Jason Nightingale due to his more explosive offensive potential.
Jordan Kahu rightfully takes his right wing spot in great form for the Broncos.
Playmakers
Tohu Harris makes an interesting case for the no. 6 jersey, he has started there before and obviously has the ball playing ability to double as a playmaker, and with Johnson running the show he won’t be require to handle the ball too much anyway.
His defence is a big boost for the fringe as is his running ability.
Lewis Brown just gets the nod at hooker above Kodi Nikorima due to his better defensive ability and size, which could be a big problem for Kodi considering he’s only had the one start at hooker.
This is with the sole intention of weathering the early storm of the Australian forward pack, with Nikorima to come on with an big impact and get the bulk of the minutes, and Brown being able to fill the forwards or centre spot. Most likely Kodi will get the nod here.
Forwards
The forward pack is the headline strength of this Kiwis team, with the welcome return of Jason Taumololo at lock capping off a world class pack. It’s tempting to start Martin Tapau on the left, however he will serve fantastically as an impact player off the bench with Manu Ma’u, on the back of his great form with Parramatta grabbing the starting on the left with the job of containing Matt Gillett.
Ma’u has been the Eels’ best forward and is absolutely tenacious with ball in hand. His energy will be useful early in the contest.
Kevin Proctor, Adam Blair and Jesse Bromwich practically pick themselves, all putting up career-best performances this season. The bench covers the entire range of the forward positions with Moa filling the back up prop spot and Greg Eastwood and Tapau able to fill any void in the forwards and providing a really explosive impact.
Opportunity
While this is the most capped Test team Australia has fielded, the team that will line-up on May 6 hasn’t played a ton of games together. The Roos played one Test last year, and while some of the squad has remained constant and the added Origin games brings some familiarity, there will be a feeling out process before the squad really gels.
This is not the case for NZ, with majority of the squad remaining intact, there will be plenty of acquaintance when the team takes the park.
With this in mind, starting strong is of the highest priority if the Kiwis want to dictate the pace early. To do that, New Zealand will have to be strong defensively, especially in the middle of the park.
The middle third is where the Kiwis may even have a slight advantage talent-wise. New skipper Bromwich has risen to become the best front rower in the league and will be looking to carry his form into the game leading a very strong yet extremely mobile pack.
A potential mismatch that could be an area of target is Proctor matching up against Papalii on the right edge. Papalii is a fantastic defender, but may have trouble dealing with the agility and speed of Proctor’s game.
Likewise, across the entire pack New Zealand will need to try and get the go forward moving early in the sets to have an opportunity at moving these forwards around and create space for Johnson who will need to lead from the front.
The Kiwi outfit always comes out determined to put up a fight, and a big performance will be needed to overcome this Kangaroos squad.
New Zealand currently sit as distant outsiders for the May 6 fixture, so these stars will need to be best on field if they are to get within a shot of causing an upset.
S T Ruggling
Roar Pro
Aussie Juggernaut? the kiwis have won the last 4. Think that the Aussies (in particular the aging ones) will want to make a statement tonight and re-assert themselves. The origin hatred has creeped into the Aus team the last few years, the fact there are only 3 New South Welshman (and a fijian) with the rest being QLDers, this may be meningas attempt to minimise this. Tipping the Aussies tonight but the Kiwis at $5.25 for the win is very tempting
Tripehound
Guest
As an impartial observer (come on New Zealand!) I'm really looking forward to this one. Can an aging Aussie six hold their own against a mighty kiwi pack? Can a disrupted kiwi three quarter line hold the powerful and dynamic Australian outside backs? Shaun Johnson is the key to this match for me and I think he'll turn up with his 'A' game, he hasn't looked as bad as some punters are making out and for most of the games that I've seen he has been playing behind a pack that keeps going awol. The kiwi six are going to come out strong tomorrow and this should give Johnson the platform to shine. I think Squidward is correct in highlighting the fact that Issac Luke not being selected could have major repercussions for NZ especially with the other spine players that are missing. Once all of the face pulling is over Luke is usually in overdrive and I would have expected him to put his poor club form behind him and be a real presence for the men in black. Speaking of poor club form, a big game this for Mr Inglis, shifting position and up against a depleted and inexperienced opposition centre/wing partnership could be just the catalyst the big lad needs to spark his season. Either the kiwis will sneak this one or Australia will blow them out, I don't see it the other way round.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Don't think so 'craig swanson' 'that if by some slim chance we win' I think that we will get 'hammered by the Kiwis' as usual because that is the only game(s) that they come good. It will be a great game, looking forward to watching it.
Brayden Issa
Roar Rookie
Problem is Isaac Luke really didn't warrant selection at all.
Brayden Issa
Roar Rookie
Originally this was written picking from the original 19-man squad that was announced before the others pulled out. In saying that, once players did pull out and Takarangi was actually called into the squad he would of been the better option to step into the centres. He is in much better form then Beale and provides both an attacking flair and some defensive presence.
craig swanson
Guest
Maroon dominated. Makes Dad's Army look positively infantile. Time for next gen change should we get hammered by the Kiwis. Will those from up in banana land sing the maroons victory song this time if by some slim chance we win?
Brayden Issa
Roar Rookie
Its probably better said that Johnson is in (for him) some pretty bad form not helped by the fact that he isn't playing behind a winning pack and had his ankle snapped last year. For the test, he is going to get better go forward from his bigs then he does at club level, for the kiwis it will be about whether or not he can produce from those positions
Ron Swanson
Roar Guru
Sounds like one of the only games you have watched him play this season. I thought the same when they played Manly until I took a step back & figured that match would of really played with his mind. If you recall same team, same location last season and what happened to him, you could forgive him for being a little off that night.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
The Aussie forwards are going to earn their money against that pack and that's fine, they only need to hold their own. There's enough big game experience and the possibility of a changing of the guard last game for a few to keep them in the contest. As usual the points will come from Cronk and JT using their sublime playmaking skill to wallop our cousins from across the Tasman sea.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
When Manly played the Warriors I was more nervous when Robson got the ball than Johnson. And that is saying something!! Johnson is erratic. More than usual. His game management is close to the worst in the game. Regularly takes the wrong option, it's as though he still thinks you need to score on every play. Great player. Ordinary form. A lot rests on his shoulders without any attacking threats around him. Will he control the game if his forwards are going forward? Or revert to touch footy with silly grubbers, and sideways movement?
Ron Swanson
Roar Guru
Worst form of his life?? Big call. He has played well when the forwards have showed up, notably against the Dogs & Dragons. As per usual he cops the flak when he defends for 70% of the game as his team drop the pill with a completion rate somewhere around 60%. Not to mention he has the electric Jeff Robson as his halves partner!
Ron Swanson
Roar Guru
Semi born in Fiji, Tamou born in NZ, your point??
Ron Swanson
Roar Guru
I was gobsmacked Takaraingi wasn't in the squad before all the injuries. He looked more than capable in the No.6 last Friday night and possessed a booming left boot. He could of filled the No.6 or now the centre role. Not sold at all on Beale, a bit like Nightingale, they lack any real spark in attack. It will be a lot closer than many predict. The younger more mobile Kiwi pack more than matches the old forwards the Roo's continue to select. They have owned pretty much that same pack on 3 consecutive occasions.
Stu
Guest
Career worst form? Hes demonstrated great control whenever his forward pack has dominated the ruck. The kiwis are likley to do this as they have for a number of years now.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I'd agree with that but then I would add that a large part of Johnson's magic is helped by the presence of Foran. Geez, he is a big loss.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
If memory serves me correctly, over recent Tests, New Zealand seemed have to started a tad slower than Australia but eventually over ran them. So while I agree that it would be good for the Kiwis to win the opening exchanges, it will come to naught if they don't continue that for the entire match.
maximillian
Guest
I thought that might be the case Brayden. Hiku is a big loss as the outside backs were already quite thin. Fingers crossed SKD pulls through. Kahu has played 3 tests & DWZ is on debut so the experience of SKD could be critical.
Cedric
Guest
If the kiwi forwards and their strong bench fire up then Johnson can move and it will be a good game.
maximillian
Guest
The Brad Takairangi that plays for the Eels? Where you were born is only 1 of many ways to qualify for national representation & Takairangi is like many NRL players & qualifies for a few nations. I believe his mother is Maori so he qualifies through heritage. He was in the Kiwis wider training squad in 2014 but didn't make the final squad. If he continues to play well, I think he will be wearing the black jersey soon enough.
maximillian
Guest
I agree Jara & EJ, the backs are a little underwhelming & the number of guys playing out of position is a concern. Im really interested in how Kearney uses Nikorima/Brown/Harris. There's some flexibility there so it wouldn't surprise me to see all 3 on at once & asking different questions of the Kangaroos.