DIEHARD
10-04-06, 04:30 PM
New Zealand coach Brian McClennan has raised the prospect of selecting a halfback from reserve grade for the Anzac Test if Karmichael Hunt cannot be tempted to play.
McClennan, who led New Zealand to a Tri-Nations victory last year, yesterday hinted selectors could pit an untried rookie against Andrew Johns following Benji Marshall's potentially season-ending shoulder injury.
The Wests Tigers playmaker will undergo scans today but officials have already ruled the 21-year-old out for a minimum of eight weeks, meaning he will not be available for the Test against the Kangaroos on May 5.
McClennan was ready to use Marshall as a stop-gap halfback in place of the injured Stacey Jones (broken arm) at Suncorp Stadium next month.
However, that plan was scuppered at Dairy Farmers Stadium on Friday night, when Marshall dislocated his shoulder attempting to tackle North Queensland's Gavin Cooper.
With Marshall unavailable, New Zealand is ready to step up attempts to convince the Broncos' Hunt to play for his country of birth.
Hunt indicated after his side's win over South Sydney on Saturday night that he would make a decision on his international allegiance this week.
If he maintains his stance of wanting to play State of Origin, McClennan said selectors may consider Parramatta lower-grade player Jeremy Smith or the Bulldogs' Billy Ngawini.
Both played for New Zealand A last year. His other options are to bring Thomas Leuluai back from England, select Lance Hohaia, playing in the domestic competition in New Zealand, or use Parramatta utility Marcus Perenara.
"There's no-one playing NRL first grade and there's one (Leuluai) playing in the Super League," McClennan said.
"Other than that there's a couple of blokes playing premier league and Lance Hohaia playing Bartercard Cup.
"I'm devastated for (Benji). It's a cruel twist of fate. I know Benji was very, very keen to be involved in the Test."
New Zealand has a record of pulling players from reserve grade to play against Australia, although it's been some time since it was successful.
Five-eighth Olsen Filipaina terrorised Wally Lewis in 1985 despite struggling to play reserve grade for Eastern Suburbs.
"Things will come up," McClennan said. "We're forever optimistic."
Marshall was a forlorn figure on Friday night and his absence, for two months at least, has placed a significant caveat on the Tigers' title defence.
Coach Tim Sheens will consider several options this week, including recalling Ben Reynolds, which could result in Scott Prince playing five-eighth. Sheens also has the left-field option of pushing Brett Hodgson to halfback, the position he played when he made his first-grade debut with Wests nine years ago.
The Broncos are resigned to losing hooker Michael Ennis for the rest of the season with anterior cruciate ligament damage to his left knee.
The Roosters will reshuffle three starting positions at least following Saturday night's 28-24 away win against Cronulla.
Centre Ryan Cross strained ankle ligaments and is out for four to six weeks, while second-rower Shane Shackleton dislocated his left shoulder and is looking at a month on the sidelines.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,18763469-2722,00.html
McClennan, who led New Zealand to a Tri-Nations victory last year, yesterday hinted selectors could pit an untried rookie against Andrew Johns following Benji Marshall's potentially season-ending shoulder injury.
The Wests Tigers playmaker will undergo scans today but officials have already ruled the 21-year-old out for a minimum of eight weeks, meaning he will not be available for the Test against the Kangaroos on May 5.
McClennan was ready to use Marshall as a stop-gap halfback in place of the injured Stacey Jones (broken arm) at Suncorp Stadium next month.
However, that plan was scuppered at Dairy Farmers Stadium on Friday night, when Marshall dislocated his shoulder attempting to tackle North Queensland's Gavin Cooper.
With Marshall unavailable, New Zealand is ready to step up attempts to convince the Broncos' Hunt to play for his country of birth.
Hunt indicated after his side's win over South Sydney on Saturday night that he would make a decision on his international allegiance this week.
If he maintains his stance of wanting to play State of Origin, McClennan said selectors may consider Parramatta lower-grade player Jeremy Smith or the Bulldogs' Billy Ngawini.
Both played for New Zealand A last year. His other options are to bring Thomas Leuluai back from England, select Lance Hohaia, playing in the domestic competition in New Zealand, or use Parramatta utility Marcus Perenara.
"There's no-one playing NRL first grade and there's one (Leuluai) playing in the Super League," McClennan said.
"Other than that there's a couple of blokes playing premier league and Lance Hohaia playing Bartercard Cup.
"I'm devastated for (Benji). It's a cruel twist of fate. I know Benji was very, very keen to be involved in the Test."
New Zealand has a record of pulling players from reserve grade to play against Australia, although it's been some time since it was successful.
Five-eighth Olsen Filipaina terrorised Wally Lewis in 1985 despite struggling to play reserve grade for Eastern Suburbs.
"Things will come up," McClennan said. "We're forever optimistic."
Marshall was a forlorn figure on Friday night and his absence, for two months at least, has placed a significant caveat on the Tigers' title defence.
Coach Tim Sheens will consider several options this week, including recalling Ben Reynolds, which could result in Scott Prince playing five-eighth. Sheens also has the left-field option of pushing Brett Hodgson to halfback, the position he played when he made his first-grade debut with Wests nine years ago.
The Broncos are resigned to losing hooker Michael Ennis for the rest of the season with anterior cruciate ligament damage to his left knee.
The Roosters will reshuffle three starting positions at least following Saturday night's 28-24 away win against Cronulla.
Centre Ryan Cross strained ankle ligaments and is out for four to six weeks, while second-rower Shane Shackleton dislocated his left shoulder and is looking at a month on the sidelines.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,18763469-2722,00.html