Madge's big choice, Sua's difficult second album and Tito's new job: The big questions for Pacific Champs Round 2
What to look out for in week two of the Pacific Championships
Kiwis coach David Kidwell hopes injury clouds hovering over Thomas Leuluai and Jason Nightingale can clear before their second Four Nations Test against Australia.
Leuluai was diagnosed with concussion during New Zealand’s 17-16 win over England, although the five-eighth believed he was wrongly diagnosed.
St George Illawarra winger Nightingale suffered an ankle problem and he and Leuluai should learn the extent of their injuries on Monday.
Kidwell said props Jesse Bromwich and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves emerged unscathed after taking leg niggles into the Test.
The coach was surprised there weren’t more injuries following a ferocious clash of two muscular packs.
“The guys coming off the field said they’d never experienced anything like that in the NRL, especially the forwards,” he said.
“To get the monkey off the back is a good feeling but now it’s all about the recovery. We’ve got a big game on Saturday.”
Kidwell’s monkey was the 26-6 Test loss to Australia in Perth two weeks earlier.
Following his first Test in charge, he admitted to making fundamental mistakes, including his use of the interchange bench which resulted in key forward Jason Taumalolo spending an extended period on the sideline.
“We all learned some harsh lessons there and it was about making improvements,” he said.
“We sat down and nutted that (interchange strategy) out and that became a crucial part against England.”
Kidwell says time together explained their improvement from the Perth Test and he expects his team to be better again for the rematch against a Kangaroos side which crushed Scotland 54-12 in the tournament opener .
Kidwell suggested there will be minimal change for Saturday’s clash in Coventry but is keen to give other squad members game time against Scotland in Workington a week later.
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What to look out for in week two of the Pacific Championships
Brad Fittler claims widening State of Origin eligibility rules to include Australian-raised New Zealand and England players will benefit both the domestic and international game.
If you followed the recent Rugby League World Cup, you’ll probably have noted that the tournament has both passionate supporters and vocal detractors.
Since the Super League War, Rugby League has failed to cement an international calendar. The historical tours disappeared – in part due to the war but also since the English game transferred to a summer season.
With many spruiking that the pinnacle of our beloved sport is State of Origin, surely it’s time to make yet another amendment to the playbook and finally let New Zealand and English players in on the fun?
With the World Cup final just days away, I thought I’d reflect on some of the key moments and memories of the past ten…