Test Match: Australian Kangaroos vs New Zealand Kiwis in Townsville

[DIEHARD]

AUSTRALIA vs NEW ZEALAND
Dairy Farmers Stadium Saturday, October 13

[DIEHARD]

Surely Birdy and Nate have gotta be in the Roos!

[DIEHARD]

EXCLUSIVE PURCHASE PERIODS
North Qld Cowboys Ticketed Club Members: 10am-9pm Tuesday, July 17. Members will not be able to purchase their ‘regular season’ seats but will not be subject to any ticket purchase limits.

NRL Ticketed Club Members: 10am-9pm Wednesday, July 18.

NRL.com Members/Non-Ticketed NRL Club Members: 10am Thursday, July 19 to 9pm Monday, July 24.

General Public: 10am Wednesday, July 25.

[DIEHARD]

Roo Crew selling fast! Looks like Category 1 Roo Crew is sold out, Category 2 still going strong.

Dont miss out on your Roo Crew t-shirt and flag!

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW

Use Password: NRL23000

[DIEHARD]

Sydney Roosters centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall is chasing a New Zealand Test jersey

STRIKE centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall is hopeful a late-season surge of form with the Sydney Roosters can catapult him back into the New Zealand Test side.

The one-off Test between Australia and the Kiwis in Townsville will be played on October 13 - two weeks after the NRL grand final - and Kenny-Dowall, still smarting from yet another Anzac Test loss in April, has his sights set on being there.

But injury has cruelled much of his year, lining up in only 10 of the Roosters' 19 games this season after not missing a game in the previous three years.

The 24-year-old has become something of a forgotten man in the Kiwi ranks as players such as rookie Warriors centre Konrad Hurrell have taken much of the limelight.

But Kenny-Dowall believes his battles with injury do have an upside.

"It has been a very disappointing year," he said.

"Definitely something that I haven't been used to in the past. And it has been tough watching from the sidelines while the boys have struggled and not being able to do anything about it.

"But in the time I have had off I have learnt a lot about preparation and how to take better care of my body."

After undergoing off-season groin surgery and missing much of the pre-season, Kenny-Dowall missed the first four games of the year with a lacerated kidney.

He played four games straight but then suffered a stress fracture of the back which sidelined him for another six weeks.

He will play his third game back from that injury when the Roosters meet Penrith at Penrith tomorrow.

Kenny-Dowall, who has scored six tries in eight Tests, was part of the Kiwi side that was beaten 20-12 at Eden Park in Auckland earlier this year and is keen to make amends.

Given the Roosters are all but certain to miss the finals it would be his only big end-of-season game.

"I want to play rep football as much as I can," he said.

"We are renowned for not performing in the Anzac Test which is hard to deal with because we do have the talent in be competitive in every game.

"And we have to start winning these games more often and really start to build something.

"At the moment I just need to play consistent football for the Roosters. We have had a disappointing season so far but we have still got the chance to change that. If I can put it together over the next seven rounds then people will take notice."

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl

[Smakked]

Surely Birdy and Nate have gotta be in the Roos!

This for sure, they both should be in the starting side

[Sydney Titans Fanatic]

Three added to Kearney's train-on squad
Three players have been added to Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney's train-on squad for next month's league test against the Kangaroos.

Sharks prop Jeremy Smith and Broncos pair Gerard Beale and Josh Hoffman are new inclusions after their sides were knocked out of the NRL playoffs.

Broncos utility Alex Glenn is due to go under the knife to fix a knee problem so wasn't considered.

Meanwhile, Roosters centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall has been pulled from the squad after it was found he needed surgery on his abductor tendon.
http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/league/ne...ain-on-squad/?

[DIEHARD]

Looking forward to the Test. Last game of the season!

[Sydney Titans Fanatic]

Cowboys stars Matthew Scott, James Tamou, Brent Tate and Johnathan Thurston are among the players today added to the VB Kangaroos’ train-on squad for the end-of-season Test against New Zealand at Townsville’s Dairy Farmers Stadium on October 13.

They join Raiders duo Blake Ferguson and David Shillington in the extended squad, with the team to be named on Tuesday, October 2.

Further players will be added to the VB Kangaroos’ train-on squad as teams are eliminated from the Telstra Premiership Finals Series.

The full VB Kangaroos train-on squad is: Josh McGuire (Broncos), Ben Te’o (Broncos), Matthew Scott (Cowboys), James Tamou (Cowboys), Brent Tate (Cowboys), Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys), Dan Hunt (Dragons), Tim Mannah (Eels), Matt Ryan (Eels), Darius Boyd (Knights), Akuila Uate (Knights), Lachlan Coote (Panthers), Michael Jennings (Panthers), Kevin Kingston (Panthers) Luke Lewis (Panthers), Blake Ferguson (Raiders), David Shillington (Raiders), Paul Gallen (Sharks), Wade Graham (Sharks), Nathan Stapleton (Sharks), Martin Kennedy (Roosters), Greg Bird (Titans), Nate Myles (Titans), Scott Prince (Titans), Feleti Mateo (Warriors), Robbie Farah (Wests Tigers), Chris Lawrence (Wests Tigers), Beau Ryan (Wests Tigers) and Aaron Woods (Wests Tigers).

The following players have been included in the Junior Kangaroos train-on squad to play the Junior Kiwis in the end-of-season Test at Townsville’s Dairy Farmers Stadium on October 13: Lachlan Maranta (Broncos), Paul Carter (Bulldogs), David Klemmer (Bulldogs), Moses Mbye (Bulldogs), Chris Grevsmuhl (Cowboys), Jack Stockwell (Dragons), Cheyse Blair (Eels), Alex McKinnon (Knights) , Korbin Sims (Knights), Tautau Moga (Roosters), Michael Lichaa (Sharks), Ben Hampton (Storm) and Young Tonumaipea (Storm).

Please note, the Prime Minister’s XIII team will assemble in Cairns on Thursday, September 20, before departing for Port Moresby on Friday, September 21. The team will play Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on Sunday, November 23.
nrl.com

[DIEHARD]

Merritt among names added to Roos squad

Nine players from the Sea Eagles and Rabbitohs have today been included in the VB Kangaroos? train-on squad for the end-of-season Test against New Zealand at Dairy Farmers Stadium in Townsville on October 13.

The selected players are: Daly Cherry-Evans, Brett Stewart, Glenn Stewart, Anthony Watmough, Tony Williams (Manly Sea Eagles), Greg Inglis, Nathan Merritt, John Sutton, Dave Taylor (South Sydney Rabbitohs).

Sydney, Canberra and Newcastle-based train-on squad members will assemble at Sydney?s Redfern Oval at 10.30am on Thursday, September 27, for medicals and a field training session.

The full VB Kangaroos train-on squad is:

Josh McGuire (Broncos), Ben Te?o (Broncos), Matthew Scott (Cowboys), James Tamou (Cowboys), Brent Tate (Cowboys), Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys), Dan Hunt (Dragons), Tim Mannah (Eels), Matt Ryan (Eels), Darius Boyd (Knights), Akuila Uate (Knights), Lachlan Coote (Panthers), Michael Jennings (Panthers), Kevin Kingston (Panthers) Luke Lewis (Panthers), Greg Inglis (Rabbitohs), Nathan Merritt (Rabbitohs), John Sutton(Rabbitohs), Dave Taylor (Rabbitohs), Blake Ferguson (Raiders), David Shillington (Raiders), Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles), Brett Stewart (Sea Eagles), Glenn Stewart (Sea Eagles), Anthony Watmough (Sea Eagles), Tony Williams (Sea Eagles), Paul Gallen (Sharks), Wade Graham (Sharks), Nathan Stapleton (Sharks), Martin Kennedy (Roosters), Greg Bird (Titans), Nate Myles (Titans), Scott Prince (Titans), Feleti Mateo (Warriors), Robbie Farah (Wests Tigers), Chris Lawrence (Wests Tigers), Beau Ryan (Wests Tigers) and Aaron Woods (Wests Tigers).

The following players have been included in the Junior Kangaroos squad to play the Junior Kiwis in Townsville on October 13:

Lachlan Maranta (Broncos), David Klemmer (Bulldogs), Paul Carter (Bulldogs), Moses Mbye (Bulldogs), Chris Grevsmuhl (Cowboys), Jack Stockwell (Dragons), Nathan Green (Dragons), Cheyse Blair (Eels), Alex McKinnon (Knights), Korbin Sims (Knights), Kane Evans (Roosters), Tautau Moga (Roosters), Dylan Napa (Roosters), Michael Lichaa (Sharks), Ben Hampton (Storm) and Young Tonumaipea (Storm).

http://www.nrl.com

[TITAN PETE]

Four Storm stars picked for Kangaroos

RSS
AAP Tue, Oct 02, 2012 - 11:13 AM

NRL premiers Melbourne have had four players selected in the Australian team to take on New Zealand in the October 13 rugby league Test in Townsville.

Tryscoring second-rower Ryan Hoffman has been rewarded for his excellent season with inclusion alongside the Storm's big three of Billy Slater, Clive Churchill Medallist Cooper Cronk and skipper Cameron Smith.

In-form Canterbury stars Ben Barba and Josh Reynolds were left out of the team, with Wests Tigers captain Robbie Farah filling the utility role on the interchange bench.

Despite their State of Origin victory, Queensland haven't enjoyed the dominance in selection they have in recent years - with nine Maroons players picked plus 18th man Ben Te'o.

Kangaroos: Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Josh Morris, Greg Inglis, Brett Morris, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith (capt), James Tamou, Greg Bird, Paul Gallen, Nate Myles. Interchange: Robbie Farah, Ryan Hoffman, David Shillington, Tony Williams, Ben Te'o (18th man).







Kiwis: Gerard Beale (Brisbane Broncos), Jesse Bromwich (Melbourne Storm), Greg Eastwood (Canterbury Bulldogs), Kieran Foran (Manly Sea Eagles), Josh Hoffman (Brisbane Broncos), Krisnan Inu (Canterbury Bulldogs), Shaun Johnson (Warriors), Sam Kasiano (Canterbury Bulldogs), Issac Luke (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Simon Mannering (Warriors) Benji Marshall (Wests Tigers), Ben Matulino (Warriors), Sam McKendry (Penrith Panthers), Sam Perrett (Canterbury Bulldogs), Frank Pritchard (Canterbury Bulldogs), Kevin Proctor (Melbourne Storm), Jeremy Smith (Cronulla Sharks), Elijah Taylor (Warriors), Dean Whare (Manly Sea Eagles).

[TITAN PETE]

RSS
By Ian McCullough AAP Tue, Oct 02, 2012 - 12:42 PM

Tim Sheens believes he's picked a Kangaroos side that's strong enough to beat New Zealand in next week's one-off Test in Townsville despite being hit by injuries to several players.

Sheens is without Sam Thaiday, Kurt Gidley, Luke Lewis, Anthony Watmough, Ben Hannant, Matt Gillett, Glenn Stewart, Brett Stewart and Justin Hodges, who are all undergoing or recovering from off-season surgery.

Sheens named an 18-man squad on Tuesday containing no debutants, with Wests Tigers skipper Robbie Farah edging out Canterbury's Josh Reynolds for the utility role on the bench.

However Reynolds is on stand-by in case of injury ahead of the team's departure to Townsville on Saturday.

Josh Morris was the only player from the losing grand finalists the Bulldogs to make the side and will partner brother Brett in the three-quarter line.

Cameron Smith was named as captain with his Melbourne premiership-winning teammate Billy Slater cleared of a knee injury that had threatened his inclusion in the side.

There's also a recall for Storm back-rower Ryan Hoffman, who will play his first international since 2009.

Cooper Cronk is the halfback, giving the champion Storm four players in the side.

"Billy is fine I've been told," Sheens said.

"I spoke to Alex Corvo, who's their conditioner down there and he has assured me Billy is good."

Sheens said the inclusion of Farah ahead of Reynolds was a tough call, but his performances for the Tigers and NSW this year earned him the nod over the young Bulldog.

"Josh was considered for the utility role, Ryan Hinchcliffe was another, but that is the strength of our competition," Sheens said.

"Robbie can cover us at hooker and at halfback at a push and we have Greg Bird who can play at five-eighth from the back-row.

"We have a few players out, but this is a strong side and it will need to be as New Zealand will be very keen to beat us."

Injuries have ensured this is the first time in 25 years the Brisbane Broncos haven't had a player in the Australian team - with Thaiday, Gillett and Hodges unavailable.

Kangaroos: Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Greg Inglis, Josh Morris, Brett Morris, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith (capt), James Tamou, Greg Bird, Paul Gallen, Nate Myles. Interchange: Robbie Farah, Ryan Hoffman, David Shillington, Tony Williams, Ben Te'o (18th man).

[TITAN PETE]

Even the Titans had 2 players selected

[DIEHARD]

Woohoo! Test Footy time! I got my tickets with the Roo Crew. Gonna road trip it with a car load of flags and banners for the Kangaroos.

Strong teams named. Happy to see Bird and Myles in there for the Titans!

[DIEHARD]

No Broncos in the Kangaroos!

Wow, when was the last time this happened? Not including when Super League aligned players werent selected.