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    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
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    2017 Anzac Test - Squads - Analysis - Commentry

    The Aussie Squad

    • Date: Friday May 5, 2017
    • Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra

    Australian Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga is confident playmaker Johnathan Thurston will be fit to take his place in Friday week's Anzac Test against New Zealand in Canberra..

    The veteran number six has missed the Cowboys' past two games with a calf injury but has been named in their squad for Friday's game against Parramatta in Townsville.

    "He trained well yesterday so we're just waiting on the word from the club they're training again, the captain's run tomorrow, but he's close to obviously playing and obviously we've picked him and that's the reason we're very confident he'll play in the Test match," Meninga said.

    Cronulla's James Maloney has been included in an extended Kangaroos squad as stand-by for Thurston, but Meninga says the Cowboys co-captain could still take his place even if he does not play against the Eels.

    The coach says former Australian full-back Billy Slater was discussed at the selection table, after making a successful return from injury for the Storm this season.


    "We agonised over it all but again but we felt that Darius [Boyd] deserves to retain his spot, he was man of the match in the Four Nations final at Liverpool and he's in great form at the moment so we just chose to go that way," Meninga said.
    2017 will be the final ANZAC Test with all future games involving the Kangaroos played post the NRL season from 2018 onwards. .
    .


    Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago ...


  2. #2
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    Quite nicely balanced, but have reservations about Woods. His ego is bigger than his game.

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    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
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    ^ He had his chicken legs spread over the week-end and is scratched for the Test Match.

    ---

    Kiwis team announced to take on Kangaroos



    The return of experienced trio Simon Mannering, Kieran Foran and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck headline New Zealand's squad to face the Kangaroos in Friday's Anzac Test in Canberra.

    Mannering, a former Kiwis captain, and New Zealand Warriors teammate Tuivasa-Sheck missed all representative matches last year due to injury while Foran was unavailable for selection.
    ''First of all, all three of them bring a lot of Mana to our group and that's hugely important,'' Kidwell said of the trio.
    "Simon's experience in any squad is invaluable, he's been a leader in our side for a long time, so it's fantastic to have him fit and ready.

    Kieran's been playing some good footy this year and his combination with Shaun Johnson and Roger at the back is certainly benefiting from the more time they all spend together too,'' Kidwell continued.




    Aside from naming a debutant in Melbourne's Brandon Smith, the other talking point is the inclusion of St George Illawarra Dragon Prop Russell Packer, who hasn't played in the black jumper since 2011.
    "Russell's form speaks for itself,' said Kidwell, ''he was pretty delighted to get a call from me, like anyone in life they have their ups and downs, and Russell's been putting the hard yards in, and we just want him to do the same for the Kiwis.''

    Kiwis squad: Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Adam Blair, Jesse Bromwich, Kenny Bromwich, Kieran Foran, David Fusitu'a, Shaun Johnson, Jordan Kahu, Issac Luke, Simon Mannering, Kodi Nikorima, Russell Packer, Kevin Proctor, Jordan Rapana, Brandon Smith, Jason Taumalolo, Martin Taupau, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Dean Whare.

    Here and Here
    .

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    Quote Originally Posted by crocman View Post
    Quite nicely balanced, but have reservations about Woods. His ego is bigger than his game.
    Couldn't agree more, don't rate him at all. He never looks like he really belongs out there, more so when the opposition pack has some size/aggression about them, and his leadership skills are weak at best. He's timid compared to real ball-carrying forwards who couldn't spell self-preservation and who seemingly thrive on pain. Anyway there's talk of him being NSW Captain this year. Perfect .

    Aust 1.39
    NZ 3.00
    And the line is 8 points.

    I'll be happy to sit this one out on the betting front, Oz *should* win but that's a very good looking Kiwi team with more than a few players who are in top form right now.

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