Centenary Test: Australian Kangaroos vs New Zealand Kiwis

[Hoppy2007Dragons]

I got into an argument with a broncos supporter last year when hornby replaced thruston or lockyer in a test and i said well his form has earned that, and they were like well lockyer/thurston is a proven perfromer. Gopt into same argument again as i don't think lockyer should be in the team (apart from promotional reasons)

I can see both sides of the argument, i'm all for giving incumbents their jeresy as long as they have been playing football and it isn't terrible, i mean what good would it be giving thurston a jersey if he was playing like crap based on his form last year, it could mean the difference between a close win or a close lose.

Having said that the only player i would drop is Locky, hes played one 80min game all year, and is excpected to face a big solid kiwi test team and hes done nothing brilliant this year, thurston whilst no where near princes form has started to hit his straps for the last few weeks and deserves his spot.

But id rather give ryles a test jersey than webb, at least ryles numbers this year are good and he brings aggression, webb has only hit decent form last couple weeks.

[qld power]

Crowds ignore Centenary Test - 30 April 2008
It is billed as the game of the century but in a stinging insult to rugby league's proud history, Sydney fans are set to snub Friday week's Centenary match. In the ultimate public embarrassment for rugby league, given the hype and prestige of the 100-year anniversary Test against New Zealand, up to 10,000 barren seats are expected at the SCG on May 9. The history-steeped ground has a 40,000-plus capacity, but ARL officials last night conceded a crowd of more than 30,000 would be a "great result". ARL chief executive Geoff Carr denies anything short of a sellout is unacceptable for the historic clash...(more) Source: Courier Mail, 30 April 2008
good to see the nsw fans are once again letting the side down with the crowd size so far

[qld power]

Vodafone Warriors second rower Simon Mannering and utility Lance Hohaia have both been named in a 19-man Pirtek Kiwis squad for the Centenary Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on May 9.
They're joined by three newcomers who are in line to play their first test - South Sydney hooker Issac Luke, St George Illawarra winger Jason Nightingale and Sydney Roosters utility Setaimata Sa.
Hawera-born Luke (20) graduates to the Kiwi squad after making his NRL debut for the Rabbitohs last June while Sydney-born Nightingale (21), whose parents are New Zealanders, first appeared at first-grade level last May. He has scored five tries in seven matches for the Dragons this season and 12 in 23 matches in all.
Sa (20), who hails from Christchurch, had his first taste of NRL football for the Roosters on Anzac Day 2006. Sa and Luke are both former Junior Kiwis.
While Luke, Nightingale and Sa are all new to the squad, several recent Kiwis have been recalled including 16-test fullback Brent Webb (Leeds), who missed all six tests last year. The only other player named from an English Super League club is Wigan halfback Thomas Leuluai, used in last year?s series against Great Britain and in the one-off test against France in Paris.
Centre Iosia Soliola, prop Nathan Cayless, loose forward David Fa?alogo and second rower Sonny Bill Williams are all back in the side after last appearing in the Kiwi jersey in the 2007 Anzac Test.
Melbourne prop Adam Blair is back after playing four times in the 2006 Tri Nations campaign but missing much of last season through injury.
Apart from Leuluai, other players retained from last year?s tour to Britain and France are Roy Asotasi (South Sydney), Dene Halatau (Wests Tigers), Lance Hohaia (Warriors), Simon Mannering (Warriors), Sam Perrett (Sydney Roosters), Frank Pritchard (Penrith), Ben Roberts (Bulldogs) and Jeremy Smith (Melbourne). Joining them is South Sydney veteran David Kidwell, who left the tour early for personal reasons.
Asotasi will again captain the Pirtek Kiwis after leading them in each of their six tests in 2007. The playing line-up will be confirmed when the team assembles in Sydney next week.
The full squad is:

ROY ASOTASI (Captain)
(South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Born: January 6, 1982
Height: 184cm
Weight: 103kg
Position: Prop
Junior Club: Marist (Auckland)
Other NRL Clubs: Bulldogs (2002-2006)
Tests: 22 (2004-2007)
NRL Games: 116 (2002-2008)

ADAM BLAIR
(Melbourne Storm)
Born: March 20, 1986
Height: 188cm
Weight: 106kg
Position: Prop
Junior Club: Northland Carvers (Northland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Tests: 4 (2006)
NRL Games: 31 (2006-2008)

NATHAN CAYLESS
(Parramatta Eels)
Born: March 28, 1978
Height: 185cm
Weight: 106kg
Position: Prop
Junior Club: Wentworthville (Sydney)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Tests: 33 (1998-2007)
NRL Games: 192 (1997-2008)

DAVID FA?ALOGO
(South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Born: September 9, 1980
Height: 180cm
Weight: 104kg
Position: Second row
Junior Club: Mt Albert (Auckland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Tests: 6 (2006-2007)
NRL Games: 101 (2003-2008)

DENE HALATAU
(Wests Tigers)
Born: January 27, 1983
Height: 178m
Weight: 90kg
Position: Hooker
Junior Club: North Ryde (Sydney)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Tests: 12 (2004-2007)
NRL Games: 93 (2003-2008)

LANCE HOHAIA
(Warriors)
Born: April 1, 1983
Height: 175cm
Weight: 86kg
Position: Utility
Junior Club: Taniwharau (Waikato)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Tests: 10 (2002-2007)
First-grade Games: 101 (2002-2008)

DAVID KIDWELL
(South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Born: April 23, 1977
Height: 188cm
Weight: 104kg
Position: Second row
Junior Club: Hornby Panthers (Christchurch)
Other Clubs: Adelaide (1997-1998), Parramatta (1999-2000), Warrington (2001), Sydney Roosters (2002), Melbourne (2003-2006)
Tests: 24 (1999-2006)
First-grade NRL Games: 209 (1997-2008)
? First-grade games includes appearances for Warrington in 2000-2001

THOMAS LEULUAI
(Wigan Warriors)
Born: June 22, 1985
Height: 176cm
Weight: 85kg
Position: Halfback
Junior Club: Otahuhu (Auckland)
Other Clubs: Warriors (2003-2004), London Broncos (2005), Harlequins (2005-2006)
Tests: 11 (2003-2007)
First-grade Games: 98 (2003-2008)
? First-grade games includes appearances for London Broncos, Harlequins and Wigan 2005-2008

ISSAC LUKE
(South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Born: May 29, 1987
Height: 174cm
Weight: 80kg
Position: Hooker
Junior Club: Hawera Hawks (Taranaki)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Tests: 0
NRL Games: 18 (2007-2008)

SIMON MANNERING
(Warriors)
Born: August 28, 1986
Height: 190cm
Weight: 101kg
Position: Second row/Loose forward
Junior Club: Wellington Orcas (Wellington)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Tests: 11 (2006-2007)
NRL Games: 57 (2005-2008)

JASON NIGHTINGALE
(St George Illawarra Dragons)
Born: September 20, 1986
Height: 183cm
Weight: 91kg
Position: Winger
Junior Club: Renown United (Sydney)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Tests: 0
NRL Games: 23 (2007-2008)

SAM PERRETT
(Sydney Roosters)
Born: May 14, 1985
Height: 182cm
Weight: 92kg
Position: Fullback
Junior Club: Burleigh Bears (Queensland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Tests: 4 (2007)
NRL Games: 51 (2004-2008)

FRANK PRITCHARD
(Penrith Panthers)
Born: November 3, 1983
Height: 189cm
Weight: 109kg
Position: Second row
Junior Club: Campbelltown City (Sydney)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Tests: 13 (2005-2007)
NRL Games: 90 (2003-2008)

BEN ROBERTS
(Bulldogs)
Born: July 8, 1985
Height: 180cm
Weight: 90kg
Position: Standoff
Junior Club: Narellan Jets (Sydney)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Tests: 5 (2006-2007)
NRL Games: 34 (2006-2008)

SETAIMATA SA
(Sydney Roosters)
Born: September 14, 1987
Height: 190cm
Weight: 101kg
Position: Centre/Standoff
Junior Club: Papanui Tigers (Christchurch)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Tests: 0
NRL Games: 33 (2006-2008)

JEREMY SMITH
(Melbourne Storm)
Born: April 14, 1980
Height: 184cm
Weight: 100kg
Position: Second row
Junior Club: Runaway Bay (Queensland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Tests: 5 (2007)
NRL Games: 47 (2004-2008)

IOSIA SOLIOLA
(Sydney Roosters)
Born: August 4, 1986
Height: 190cm
Weight: 100kg
Position: Centre
Junior Club: Ponsonby (Auckland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Tests: 6 (2006-2007)
NRL Games: 57 (2004-2008)

BRENT WEBB
(Leeds Rhinos)
Born: November 11, 1980
Height: 175cm
Weight: 83kg
Position: Fullback
Junior Club: Cairns Kangaroos (Queensland)
Other Clubs: Warriors (2002-2006)
Tests: 16 (2004-2006)
First-grade Games: 137 (2002-2008)
? First-grade games includes appearances for Warriors 2002-2006 and Leeds Rhinos 2007-2008

SONNY BILL WILLIAMS
(Bulldogs)
Born: August 3, 1985
Height: 191cm
Weight: 105kg
Position: Loose forward/second row
Junior Club: Marist (Auckland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Tests: 6 (2004-2007)
NRL Games: 68 (2004-2008)

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[DIEHARD]

It's a big call to name Webb and Leuluai. But I back them up, international football will never amount to anything without all the best players being available.

Scheduling is another issue.

Your move Wigan and Leeds... Please do what is right for rugby league, especially in this World Cup year.

[Grimmace]

Looks like N.Z is going to invoke a clause banning Webb and leulai playing for their english clubs:

Kiwis take on Super League clubs
By Dave Donaghy
May 01, 2008

NEW Zealand are headed towards a club-versus-country showdown after two English Super League players were picked in the Kiwis squad for the Centenary Test against Australia on May 9.

Brent Webb from Leeds and Thomas Leuluai from Wigan were named in Stephen Kearney's first squad as Kiwis coach - while Webb's club boss reiterated his reluctance to release the star full-back.

Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington said the Rhinos didn't want to release Webb with a Challenge Cup match against London-based Harlequins to be played on the same weekend.

Wigan, who play national league side Whitehaven in the fifth round, are understood to have told Kearney they would take a similar stance with Leuluai.

But Kearney appears set to play hardball and, the New Zealand Rugby League is likely to invoke a clause banning players for five days either side of a Test should their club stop them participating in an international.

That would rule both Webb and Leuluai out of their clubs' Challenge Cup games - regardless of whether or not they play in the Test.

"We made contact with them last week in the knowledge that the situation was going to come up," Kearney said.

"They told us the next day that they weren't willing to release the players. So that's why we've gone down that path. They're players that want to represent their country and as coach of the side I'm prepared to do everything to get them back."

Kearney, an assistant to Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy, said he hoped to have the situation sorted before the weekend.

Storm have two players - forwards Jeremy Smith and Adam Blair - named in the 19-man squad.

Blair has not played for New Zealand since the 2006 Tri-Nations.

He and Smith take the number of Storm players picked for the Test to seven after Cameron Smith, Greg Inglis, Israel Folau, Ryan Hoffman and Billy Slater were selected in the Australia team.

Source: Herald sun

[DIEHARD]

I'm loving Kearny already! Good on him and the NZRL to play hardball with the Super League clubs. This needs to happen.

On the flip side NRL clubs need to be open to the future possibility of releasing English and French stars for their mid year Test Match.

[jenwood]

I think the NRL should give any Queensland fans who want to go free tickets!
Maybe we could take over the Jetstar Titans plane and arrive en masse from Qld!

[Grimmace]

Lockyer ruled out of Centenary Test

May 04, 2008 AUSTRALIA captain Darren Lockyer has been ruled out of Friday's Centenary Test against New Zealand with a knee injury.

More to follow.



AAP

[Capital_Shark]

What happens now? Laffranchi is 18th man. Does Stuart move Bird to 5/8 and bring Laffranchi into the second row? Or give QLD selectors a preview and bring Prince in?

He should do the latter. He will do the former.

[Hoppy2007Dragons]

I reckon he will bring in Prince, you would have to, mind you bird wouldn't let ya down at 5/8 either way i'm pumped, its a huge friday for me and this test will just be the icing on the cake.

[Hoppy2007Dragons]

Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart confirmed Greg Bird would move from lock to five-eighth with Melbourne backrower Michael Crocker coming into the 17-man squad, though there was no decision yet on who would start in the No.13 jumper.

source: www.ninemsn.com.au

Spot On CS.

Whilst i rate Bird, i see two outrages here, firstly prince being overlooked even with lockyer rubbed out and the fact that crocker has been brought into the squad over Laffranchi

[Paul]

what a joke.


Can't believe I'm going to say this but I REALLY, TRULY hope we lose


Too bad it won't happen

[Capital_Shark]

How does 18th man not get the call up?

Paul do you really think if Australia do lose everyone will be screaming about Prince's non-selection? If anything it'll be cause Lockyer didn't play. If your allegiances to a half back are greater than those to your country I don't think the Roos will miss your support.

[Paul]

How does 18th man not get the call up?

Paul do you really think if Australia do lose everyone will be screaming about Prince's non-selection? If anything it'll be cause Lockyer didn't play. If your allegiances to a half back are greater than those to your country I don't think the Roos will miss your support.

I'm a proud aussie but the RL national team can go **** itself until players who have earnt the right to play are there...and NO,not just titans players

I'll support the titans exclusively from now on

[DIEHARD]

I'm a proud aussie but the RL national team can go **** itself until players who have earnt the right to play are there...and NO,not just titans players

I'll support the titans exclusively from now on

Honestly I think that attitude is B.S :boo:

No matter how scandelous the selections are, which some are. Obviously the coach has all too much influence over the selections.

But I'm still travelling to Sydney for the Test. Trust me rugby league already has too many narrow minded and bitter fans, we don't need to add to the unwanted stockpile...