Super Cronk
23-11-05, 03:14 PM
Unchanged squad for Roos- Sportal.com.au
Australia has named Craig Gower and Craig Wing in its squad for Sunday's (AEDT) Tri Nations final against New Zealand but both remain in doubt for the decider with injuries.
Kangaroos coach Wayne Bennett has named a 19-man squad, with Wing (sternum) in considerable doubt for the match. Gower is battling a quadriceps injury but is improving and is expected to be available.
If Wing is ruled out, Scott Prince will earn a recall to the Test squad and is in contention to start the match, with Bennett considering moving Trent Barrett back to the bench due to his utility value.
Bennett is wary of the Kiwi forwards, saying Australia will focus on restricting their offloads.
"They're a bigger group of guys, more physical and they've all got an off-load in them and that's the way they'll play us," he told AAP.
"They've got footwork and size and a high skill level."
"You have to look at who you start with and who is going to do a better job in the containment department particularly in the first 30-40 minutes and have we got the right guys there to do that."
Australia: Anthony Minichiello, Matt King, Mark Gasnier, Matt Cooper, Brent Tate, Trent Barrett, Craig Gower, Petero Civoniceva, Danny Buderus, Jason Ryles, Luke O'Donnell, Craig Fitzgibbon, Ben Kennedy, Craig Wing, Scott Prince, Willie Mason, Mark O'Meley, Trent Waterhouse, Steve Price.
Australia has named Craig Gower and Craig Wing in its squad for Sunday's (AEDT) Tri Nations final against New Zealand but both remain in doubt for the decider with injuries.
Kangaroos coach Wayne Bennett has named a 19-man squad, with Wing (sternum) in considerable doubt for the match. Gower is battling a quadriceps injury but is improving and is expected to be available.
If Wing is ruled out, Scott Prince will earn a recall to the Test squad and is in contention to start the match, with Bennett considering moving Trent Barrett back to the bench due to his utility value.
Bennett is wary of the Kiwi forwards, saying Australia will focus on restricting their offloads.
"They're a bigger group of guys, more physical and they've all got an off-load in them and that's the way they'll play us," he told AAP.
"They've got footwork and size and a high skill level."
"You have to look at who you start with and who is going to do a better job in the containment department particularly in the first 30-40 minutes and have we got the right guys there to do that."
Australia: Anthony Minichiello, Matt King, Mark Gasnier, Matt Cooper, Brent Tate, Trent Barrett, Craig Gower, Petero Civoniceva, Danny Buderus, Jason Ryles, Luke O'Donnell, Craig Fitzgibbon, Ben Kennedy, Craig Wing, Scott Prince, Willie Mason, Mark O'Meley, Trent Waterhouse, Steve Price.