Australian Kangaroos World Cup Squad

[DIEHARD]

Australian Kangaroos World Cup Squad

Terry Campese (Canberra), Petero Civoniceva (Penrith), Michael Crocker (Melbourne), Craig Fitzgibbon (Sydney Roosters), Israel Folau (Melbourne), Paul Gallen (Cronulla), Kurt Gidley (Newcastle), Justin Hodges (Brisbane), Greg Inglis (Melbourne), Brent Kite (Manly), Anthony Laffranchi (Gold Coast), Darren Lockyer (capt, Brisbane), Joel Mongahan (Canberra), Josh Perry (Manly), Steve Price (NZ Warriors), Scott Prince (Gold Coast), Billy Slater (Melbourne), Cameron Smith (Melbourne), Brett Stewart (Manly), Glenn Stewart (Manly), Brent Tate (NZ Warriors), Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland), Anthony Watmough (Manly), David Williams (Manly).

[lonegull]

just heard on the radio, Scott Prince and Anthony Laffranchi have been selected in the squad

[lonegull]

Australia squad: Terry Campese (Canberra Raiders), Justin Hodges (Brisbane Broncos), Darren Lockyer (Brisbane Broncos, capt), Joel Monaghan (Canberra Raiders), Paul Gallen (Cronulla Sharks), Anthony Laffranchi (Gold Coast Titans), Scott Prince (Gold Coast Titans), Brent Kite, Josh Perry, Brett Stewart, Glenn Stewart, Anthony Watmough, David Williams (all Manly Sea Eagles), Michael Crocker, Israel Folau, Greg Inglis, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith (all Melbourne Storm), Kurt Gidley (Newcastle Knights), Johnathan Thurston (North QLD Cowboys), Steve Price, Brent Tate, Petero Civoniceva (Penrith Panthers), Craig Fitzgibbon (Sydney Roosters).

[lonegull]

a good balanced squad good to see manly get rewarded with selections, also canberra have benn rewarded with there good form, one thing or selection i cant understand is Michael Crocker's he is off to england next year so wouldnt it be better to pick someone who is staying in the NRL

[Dummy Half]

Kurt Gidley makes it over Karmichael Hunt????

WTF!!!:mad:
-

[Tamwelg]

Great squad, apart from the Stewart brothers.

[Dummy Half]

Monaghan & Perry.... :duh2:

Stewart... both of em....:censored:

Williams & Fitzgibbon....:banghead:

Gidley :nope:

[Paul]

Monaghan & Perry.... :duh2:

Stewart... both of em....:censored:

Williams & Fitzgibbon....:banghead:

Gidley :nope:

None of them in your list will let the team down,especially Fitzgibbon and Gidley

[goldcoastitans]

Monaghan & Perry.... :duh2:

Stewart... both of em....:censored:

Williams & Fitzgibbon....:banghead:

Gidley :nope:

i wanna put Thurston on this list ....i hardly heard his name this yr ....all those poor players that have played all yr round and done amazing work get 2nd place to Thurston ...and hes had a shocking season (apart from the Origin games)

Fitzy - played one of his best yrs yet ...he deserved a spot IMO
Gidley - also had a good yr i got no problems with him being in the team
Monaghan - again great yr and was a stand out in most of the Raiders games next to Campese of course

[goldcoastitans]

Kurt Gidley makes it over Karmichael Hunt????

WTF!!!:mad:
-

to injury prone IMO ....runs hard yes but because of the hard running he gets injured and they need a fullback for the whole tournament :?)

[Dummy Half]

None of them in your list will let the team down,especially Fitzgibbon and Gidley

No im sure they wont let the team down,
especially as theyll probably only get a run against PNG
But they've taken spots away from BETTER players imo
-

[titanstattman]

Monaghan & Perry.... :duh2:

Stewart... both of em....:censored:

Williams & Fitzgibbon....:banghead:

Gidley :nope:

Im with wade and paul all these players have had a better yr than most who were picked and they wont let us down...

JT has a crap yr wow he plays a good origin and bang hjis in i think thats bullsh1t IMO....

And im over the moon that none of the 3 in voled with the brocs sex thing has been pick as i still believe they should of got drop from the start.....

[Steve]

From that list, my team would look something like this (which is nothing like the actual team picked)

1. Stewart
2. Williams
3. Inglis
4. Hodges
5. Folau
6. Gidley
7. Prince
8. Civoniceva
9. Smith
10. Price
11. Laffranchi
12. Stewart
13. Fitzgibbon

14. Campese
15. Kite
16. Watmough
17. Perry

[Paul]

No im sure they wont let the team down,
especially as theyll probably only get a run against PNG
But they've taken spots away from BETTER players imo
-

Hunt is not better than Gidley.

Fitzgibbon always plays like a champ at rep level

I also think Thurston hasn't earnt his spot this year, Cooper Cronk and matt orford can feel hard done by. Slater will be the number 1 so Idon't know why stuart is also there(not upset he's in the squad though as he's quality) as Gidley would surely replace billy if he gets injured

I don't have too many complaints about the squad.I'm glad players like williams from manly and campese from canberra made it tbh

[Dummy Half]

Hunt is not better than Gidley.

Gidley is not better than Hunt
but Hunt has the combination with Lockyer, who im sure will be at five-eigth considering he is captain

oh and i dont think thurston shoulda made it either
-

[Steve]

Hunt is not better than Gidley.

Fitzgibbon always plays like a champ at rep level

I also think Thurston hasn't earnt his spot this year, Cooper Cronk and matt orford can feel hard done by. Slater will be the number 1 so Idon't know why stuart is also there as Gidley would surely replace billy if he gets injured

I don't have too many complaints about the squad.I'm glad players like williams from manly and campese from canberra made it tbh

I agree on the first point. Hunt is useless. All he does is run straight into the defence over and over. All well and good to harp on about his kamikaze runs or whatever you want to call them, but he never breaks the line with them, just continually gets smashed to the ground.

Slater and Stewart are probably the two form fullbacks and Gidley is in for his versatility.

I don't like Fitzgibbon, but he has a huge work rate, which is why he's there. He's nothing fancy, but he gets the job done.

Bit of a joke that the wooden spooners halfback gets selected over the Dally M winner, not to mention the halfback that led his team to a 40-0 demolition in the grand final. But hey, what's a rep selection without a few jokes?

[Boofhead]

1: Billy Slater
2: Israel Folau
3: Greg Inglis
4: Justin Hodges
5: Brett Tate
6: Darren Lockyer
7: Scott Prince
8: Steve Price
9: Cameron Smith
10: Petero Civoniceva
11: Anthony Laffranchi
12: Anthony Watmough
13: Craig Fitzgibbon

14: Paul Gallen
15: Brent Kite
16: Terry Campese
17: Kurt Gidley

I'll meet Johno Thurston at the pub.

[Paul]

lol, I like team selection threads because we all have differing opinions and at the end of the day it's all subjective.

I can't see australia having much competition,even from the kiwis so I doubt it'll matter who was in the 17 when it's all over

[TITAN PETE]

Great squad, apart from the Stewart brothers.

You have to stop sniffing drugs they would've been the 1st 2 picked:dizzy:

Glad to see they left out all the players with police investigations going on as the World Cup doesn't need any Bullshyte attention apart from the Game :thumbsup:

[goldcoastitans]

You have to stop sniffing drugs they would've been the 1st 2 picked

Glad to see they left out all the players with police investigations going on as the World Cup doesn't need any Bullshyte attention apart from the Game :thumbsup:

but they still picked the guy i think is the one filmed taking drugs :D :D :D

[titanstattman]

And im over the moon that none of the 3 in voled with the brocs sex thing has been pick as i still believe they should of got drop from the start.....



Glad to see they left out all the players with police investigations going on as the World Cup doesn't need any Bullshyte attention apart from the Game :thumbsup:

Im glad we are on the same page here my friend....

[TITAN PETE]

Im glad we are on the same page here my friend....

Big Units Stick Together :eyebrows: , we both Hate the Donkeys :fight:

[Tamwelg]

You have to stop sniffing drugs they would've been the 1st 2 picked:dizzy:

Glad to see they left out all the players with police investigations going on as the World Cup doesn't need any Bullshyte attention apart from the Game :thumbsup:

Yeah Yeah I know, but for some reason I just don't like them, don't know why really, probably just because they are from Manly.

Good point re player under investigation. Some probably didn't think of that.

[titanstattman]

Big Units Stick Together :eyebrows: , we both Hate the Donkeys :fight:

Ture right bud.....



Good point re player under investigation. Some probably didn't think of that.

That was the frist thing i thought of wen i did'nt see there names.....

[daveyk]

Kurt Gidley makes it over Karmichael Hunt????

WTF!!!:mad:
-

i would say that hunt and the others will be be charged and thats why they werent picked....

agree with wade about the other player, thats just BS.

as for Prince and Boof - well done to both of u on getting the call up - its very well deserved.

JT - why? why? & WHY?

[DIEHARD]

It's a brilliant devastating team there, very well rounded. The Poms and Kiwis and other rugby league nations are gonna find it tough to take the Cup off us.

I'm glad Hunt didn't get selected, overrated to the extreme. A good utility maybe but so is Gidley.

[Titanium_BD1103]

Agree with you there DIEHARD... Hunt to me is out of form and doesn't deserve a spot IMO ahead of Stewart and Gidley, who have both shown they are more than capable of doing the job.. :)

Glad to see a lot of those selections are on form and not name. Great to see all those Manly boys there, hate to say it, but they are deserved and congrats to Laffranchi and Princey for making the side.

I can't wait for the WC to start, the side we have there is pretty potent and hopefully will have plenty of fun come D-day.. :D

[titanstattman]

Just a message put to BOOF my thoughts are with u today for the lost of his farther..

Hope all will be ok for u to still make the cup......

[Chaos]

My top 17 from squad picked

1. Slater
2. Monaghan
3. Inglis
4. Hodges
5. Folau
6. Lockyer
7. Prince
8. Civoniceva
9. Smith
10. Price
11. Gallen
12. Stewart
13. Crocker

14. Gidley
15. Kite
16. Perry
17. Laffranchi

[Supergoose]

1 Billy Slater
2 Greg Inglis
3 Brent Tate
4 Justin Hodges
5 Israel Folau
6 Darren Lockyer
7 Scott Prince
8 Steve Price
9 Cameron Smith
10 Petero Civoniceva
11 Glenn Stewart
12 Anthony Laffranchi
13 Paul Gallen

14 Brent Kite
15 Craig Fitzgibbon
16 Josh Perry
17 Kurt Gidley

I reckon we're a bit light on for props and I wouldn't have selected Josh Perry. Surely Luke Bailey and Ben Hannant were better options along with a number of others. Thaiday must be the unluckiest but agree that he and Hunt will have been sidelined by the nightclub incident. Nate Myles and Tupou can also consider themselves unlucky. I reckon David Williams was an excellent selection as he has been a standout this season and not necessarily as a try scorer but for the tough work he does.

[Chaos]

I reckon we're a bit light on for props and I wouldn't have selected Josh Perry. Surely Luke Bailey and Ben Hannant were better options along with a number of others. Thaiday must be the unluckiest but agree that he and Hunt will have been sidelined by the nightclub incident. Nate Myles and Tupou can also consider themselves unlucky. I reckon David Williams was an excellent selection as he has been a standout this season and not necessarily as a try scorer but for the tough work he does.


Igree with the lack of props available...but my main question is
Why isn't Thaiday in the squad?

I'd also have taken Tupou over Fitzgibbon.

[TITAN PETE]

Igree with the lack of props available...but my main question is
Why isn't Thaiday in the squad?



The same reason Hunt isn't as they may be busy with the Police :ugh:

[titanstattman]

Igree with the lack of props available...but my main question is
Why isn't Thaiday in the squad?




Im glad he is not there as he is one of the 3 in voled in the police thing.....

[Chaos]

The same reason Hunt isn't as they may be busy with the Police :ugh:

Has anyone been found guilty?

[titanstattman]

Has anyone been found guilty?

No they hav'nt but they shouldnt have the right to play untill they have been cleaned.......

[Boofhead]

Tupou, Hayne handed World Cup lifelines
By Steve Jancetic

The murky nature of rugby league's international eligibility rules were exposed again Wednesday with Australian rejects Anthony Tupou and Jarryd Hayne both handed World Cup lifelines.

Parramatta winger Hayne was named to play in the Fijian side while Tupou - who Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart admitted was an unlucky omission from the Australian side - was picked in a powerful Tongan line-up.

Tupou and Hayne both need clearances from the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) before turning out for their country of heritage, Hayne having played three Tests for the Kangaroos in 2007 while Tupou was in the Australian side which won this year's Centenary Test against New Zealand.

Complicating matters is the rib injury which has Melbourne backrower Michael Crocker in some doubt to take his place in the Australian side. Tupou, along with the likes of Nate Myles and Sam Thaiday, are believed to be on standby for the Storm enforcer.

"I spoke to Tupes this morning, I said I'd be naming him in the side and he's pretty keen to play," Tongan coach Jim Dymock said.

"They're worrying about the Australian side, if someone gets injured there, he might slip in.

"At the end of the day it's up to Tupes to make the decision ... if he goes back to Australia, all well and good."

RLIF chairman Colin Love would not pre-empt a decision on Tupou's eligibility, with the executive of the RLIF set to meet on Thursday via a phone hook-up.

"A player has to make an application to the international federation to change allegiances - that application hasn't been made yet," Love said of Tupou's situation.

The executive will also make a decision on the eligibility of several other players named in various squads, including NRL-based Ireland pair Shannon McDonnell and Brett White, Samoan selections Ali Lauititi, Ben Roberts and Misi Taulapapa and Tongan nominees Awen Guttenbeil, Fuifui Moimoi and Taniela Tuiaki.

RLIF rules prohibit players from changing allegiances more than once between World Cup campaigns, Tuiaki and Moimoi facing an uphill battle to play for Tonga having switched to New Zealand last year.

"They're keen to play in the World Cup," Dymock said.

"They went and played for New Zealand last year, they had a disappointing tour and they didn't get selected in the New Zealand side (this year).

"I think being a World Cup, it's a big occasion ... every player wants to play in it."

The Tongan side looks favoured to emerge from the two groups of minnow nations to claim a semi-final spot, where they would more than likely run into an Australian side at the Sydney Football Stadium on November 16.

The winner of Pool 2 - which contains France, Fiji and Scotland, will meet the winner of Pool 3, which includes Tonga, Samoa and Ireland - for a spot in the last four.

"There's going to be some really competitive matches," Love said.

"You aren't going to see any blowouts and the team that does come through from those two pools to be the fourth team in the semi-finals is going to give it a shake."

The Tonga-Samoa match at Penrith's CUA Stadium on October 31 shapes as the highlight of the preliminary round matches.

"I can't wait, there's going to be a lot of fireworks," Tonga and Sydney Roosters prop Lopini Paea said.

"We're like brothers off the field but on the field it's going to be a different story."

AAP

[titanstattman]

Just heard thett crooker is out and Tupou has replaced him

[DIEHARD]

Just heard thett crooker is out and Tupou has replaced him

Really really disappointed with that. This nation switching doesn't help the credibility of the World Cup.

[Dummy Half]

they shouldnt have the right to play untill they have been cleaned.......

It should it be that they have the right to play untill they have been charged.

Isn't being Innocent until proven guilty a legal right in this country??
The presumption of innocence i believe its called

But back on topic, the tupou flip-flopping is a terrible look and a giant slap in the face for Tonga.
-

[titanstattman]

It should it be that they have the right to play untill they have been charged.

Isn't being Innocent until proven guilty a legal right in this country??
The presumption of innocence i believe its called

But back on topic, the tupou flip-flopping is a terrible look and a giant slap in the face for Tonga.
-

The reason why i say that is all year wen a playe4r ****ed up they got stood down so why should they be any diff

[quins rl]

Really really disappointed with that. This nation switching doesn't help the credibility of the World Cup.
:nope: ,totally agree,the international media cant take our game seriously until we sort out the whole eligibilty/selection mess,it just makes a mockery of the pride that should be involved in wearing an international shirt.

[Steve]

On one hand I think allowing unselected players to play in their heritage nation helps make not only the games more competitive and the non NRL/super league players get a huge boost playing alongside them and learn a lot.

But in this case, he wasn't selected, he got picked for his heritage country, and if there's an injury or something they should now draw a different player into the squad. Plenty of great players not selected.

[Chaos]

Is Tupou thing really that bad...Firstly I'm a true blue Aussie but I'm still proud of my different ancestry.
I'm sure Tupou would be proud playing for either country...The Olympics seems to survive with the national changing.

[DIEHARD]

Hunt on for Hodges' replacement

A SHOT at redemption may loom for snubbed Bronco Karmichael Hunt after his Brisbane teammate Justin Hodges was ruled out of the Rugby League World Cup.

A gutted Hodges learned he would require a shoulder reconstruction - which requires a six month rehabilitation - after visiting a specialist in Brisbane.

The Broncos said Hodges would go under the knife next Wednesday.

Hunt is expected to loom large before national selectors name their replacement on Wednesday.

World Cup honours would provide some relief to a nightmare end to the 2008 NRL season for Hunt.

There was speculation that Hunt missed a spot in the initial 24-strong Australian World Cup squad due to off-field allegations.

Queensland Police have concluded an investigation into sexual assault allegations levelled at Hunt and Broncos teammates Sam Thaiday and Darius Boyd.

A number of off-field indiscretions prompted the Broncos to announce a new system of curfews and a ban on Brisbane players drinking between Sunday matches and Friday games.

While Hunt kept his fingers crossed, Hodges cut a shattered figure as he trudged out of the specialist's office.

"I'm 26 now, it's probably my last chance to play in one (World Cup), so for me it's real gutting," Hodges told reporters.

"It's sort of like this year, very heartbreaking. It's just one of those things that happens in footy I guess."

The Broncos said Hodges should be fit for the start of the 2009 season - but that was not much consolation to Hodges.

"It's the worst case scenario for Justin and worst case scenario for the team," ARL doctor Hugh Hazard said.

To date, the Broncos are represented in the Kangaroos squad by skipper Darren Lockyer.

Hodges made the World Cup squad despite playing just 14 NRL games this season due to injury and suspension.

He initially suffered the shoulder injury during the Origin series and played out the season with it.

But it only got worse, with the specialist identifying two tears in his shoulder joint in scans.

"The doctor has told me I need to get it done straight away," Hodges said.

"The only positive right now is that everything goes well with the surgery next week I should be fit to start the NRL season next year."

Meanwhile, this year's World Cup will offer $2m in prizemoney for the 10 competing nations - including a $650,000 winner's cheque.

The runners-up receives $525,000.

The remainder of the money will be distributed on a sliding scale to other teams, according to where they finish in the competition.

"It represents an enormous financial commitment from the game as we underwrite everything from airfares to accommodation, tournament facilities and prizemoney, but it is a commitment that will provide new opportunity in the future," tournament director Colin Love said.

France has already arrived in Australia and has set up camp on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

Ireland and England arrive on Wednesday with Papua New Guinea and Scotland due to land on Thursday.

The Australian team goes into camp in Sydney on Saturday.

Source: http://www.news.com.au

[Assassin]

Cooper ruled out as replacement
By David Beniuk
October 15, 2008 ST George Illawarra centre Matt Cooper has been ruled out as a possible replacement for Justin Hodges in Australia's Rugby League World Cup campaign.

Australian Rugby League chief Geoff Carr has confirmed Cooper has a groin injury and is unavailable, although Dragons officials were unable to provide details of the problem.

"The medical staff at the Australian Rugby League contacted St George and Cooper and he's got a groin problem so he's not in the frame," Carr told AAP.

"He was considered but he's definitely not available."

The Kangaroos have delayed naming a replacement for Brisbane match-winner Hodges, who will undergo a shoulder reconstruction next month, because selector Bob Fulton is on a pig-shooting expedition in the Northern Territory.

"He's taken a satellite phone so that he can be contacted in an emergency but obviously day-to-day he must be off that," Carr said.

"We're hopeful we'll be able to contact him.

"We haven't got a tight timeline, they don't go into camp until Saturday, and we want to observe the proper process and make sure all the selectors are consulted."

Hodges and Cooper's unavailability, as well as Manly star Jamie Lyon's unwillingness to play representative football, have fully exposed the hole created by former Dragon Mark Gasnier's flight to French rugby.

The loss of four world class centres has been compounded by the eligibility furore surrounding the World Cup after Australia recalled forward Anthony Tupou from the Tongan squad last week.

Carr has all but ruled out another raid on Australia's weaker opponents which means Penrith speedster Michael Jennings, who was named in the Kangaroos preliminary squad, will remain with Tonga.

"We made an early call on Tupou but the reality is Jennings would be a key player with Tonga but he might be a bit player for Australia, so my personal view is that he can stay where he is," Carr said.

"I've spoken to the coach (Ricky Stuart) about it, he agrees.

"The selectors may have another view, we may have a debate about it but certainly my view is we will allow him to play with Tonga."

Manly winger Michael Robertson, who scored a hat-trick in the NRL grand final, is likely to remain with Scotland for the same reason.

Former Kangaroos winger Jarryd Hayne, now with Fiji, is ineligible for Australia after his switch was rubber-stamped by the RLIF.

Several players within the Kangaroos squad, including likely wingers Israel Folau and Brent Tate, can cover centre and with the pickings so slim a utility back is the most likely replacement for Hodges.

Broncos fullback Karmichael Hunt and utility Darius Boyd appear to be the favourites to join the squad, despite both having been investigated by Queensland police over sexual assault allegations in Brisbane.

[Assassin]

I love the fact that the decision is up in th eair because one of the selectors is away on a pig shooting expedition!!! :laugh:

Very Funny

[Steve]

How can they replace a centre with an average fullback? It's stupid.
You can't tell me that there's not other centres in the competition.

[Assassin]

to be honest the next best solution for centre will be to shift either Tate or Falou into centre and look for a new winger. I would say both these guys were planned to fill in at wing but in the absence of regular mainstays like hodges and gaz they must be our next best option.

The selectors need to find a handy winger. I've seen hunt go ok at lock, 5/8 and fullback in origin but last time I saw him play wing was back in the run to the 06 premiership and he didn't look at all comfortable there.

I wonder just how Mat Rogers would go back on his old wing spot??

[titanstattman]

I wonder just how Mat Rogers would go back on his old wing spot??

I know he would be great sumtime i wish he could play with us in back in his spot....

[Steve]

Rogers would go fine in centre too I think. Even Delaney.
Luke Lewis, Ben Pomeroy, are a few centres who could do well. Probably plenty of wingers who could come into it too.

[Assassin]

Stewart to withdraw from Cup

October 16, 2008 AUSTRALIA'S Rugby League World Cup injury woes have worsened with Manly full-back Brett Stewart reportedly withdrawing from the squad on Thursday morning.

A "shattered" Stewart withdrew from the squad due to a shoulder injury, according to News Ltd reports.

The ARL could not confirm Stewart's withdrawal but said his fitness would be assessed by Australian medical staff late Thursday.

Australia have now delayed naming a replacement for injured centre Justin Hodges and are now set to name two new players Thursday afternoon.

It is likely Brisbane star Karmichael Hunt would come in for Stewart with his Broncos teammate Darius Boyd and Manly five-eighth Jamie Lyon possible candidates to replace Hodges.

St George Illawarra centre Matt Cooper was ruled out as a possible replacement for Hodges due to injury while the ARL has ruled out picking Penrith youngster Michael Jennings, who has already been named in the Tonga squad.


well with this development I'm now going to do a backflip and give Hunt my thumbs up, we still need anouther outside back though ...

[Paul]

all day on the radio they were saying they are going to pull out Jennings from the samoa? Tonga? whatever squad to be in the aussie camp

if thats true then this international flip flopping is getting out of hand

[Assassin]

I just heard the official report and Hunt and Boyd are the official replacements. As Jennings was already signed and sealed with Samoa / Tonga (I can't remember either??) they wern't / couldn't bring him in. $10 says Jarryd Hayne would of made it in if he hadn't switched to Fiji as well, he's probebly kicking himself right now.

Looks like they've gone with rewarding good origin form. Boyd must be over the moon, there were a lot of surprised faces when he made origin... now he's an international!!

[Chaos]

I wonder just how Mat Rogers would go back on his old wing spot??

I think Rogers has gone down the wrong path...he hasn't excelled at 5/8 but I believe he would have made the Australian side if he played in the outside backs for the Titans. He was looking good in the centres!