Tri-Nations 2006: Game One
NEW ZEALAND KIWIS vs AUSTRALIA KANGAROOS
Mt. Smart Stadium; Saturday 14th October, 8pm
Referee: Ashley Klein
Team Notes:
Kiwis
Are the defending champions of the Tri-Nations tournament.
New Zealand selectors have opted for a young side and four debutants for Saturday night?s first Gillette Tri Nation?s match against Australia at Mount Smart Stadium.
With an average age of just under 25 the Roosters Iosia Soliola, Manly?s Steve Matai, the Warriors Simon Mannering and the Storm?s Adam Blair will all make their test debuts against the Kangaroos.
Only Stacey Jones, skipper Ruben Wiki and Nigel Vagana are 30 or over.
Kangaroos
Last defeated the Kiwis 50-12 in the Anzac Test in May. However only 10 players from that Australia squad which beat the New Zealanders so easily remain in the current squad.
Australian coach Ricky Stuart has included five debutants in the team to play New Zealand in game one of the Gillette Tri Nations series this Saturday night at Mount Smart Stadium.
Justin Hodges, Greg Inglis, Cameron Smith, Reni Maitua and Brent Kite will all wear the Green and Gold for the first time while Cowboys and Queensland halfback has denied Ben Hornby the chance to make his test debut in the number 7.
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KIWIS
1. Brent Webb
2. Tame Tupou
3. Iosia Soliola
4. Steve Matai
5. Manu Vatuvei
6. Nigel Vagana
7. Stacey Jones
8. Ruben Wiki (c)
9. Dene Halatau
10. Roy Asotasi
11. David Kidwell
12. Tony Puletua
13. Simon Mannering
Interchange:
14. Jerome Ropati
15. Nathan Cayless
16. Adam Blair
17. Frank Pritchard
KANGAROOS
1. Karmichael Hunt
2. Matt King
3. Mark Gasnier
4. Justin Hodges
5. Greg Inglis
6. Darren Lockyer (c)
7. Johnathan Thurston
8. Willie Mason
9. Cameron Smith
10.Petero Civoniceva
11.Luke O?Donnell
12.Nathan Hindmarsh
13.Reni Maitua
Interchange:
14.Mark O?Meley
15.Shaun Berrigan
16.Andrew Ryan
17.Brent Kite
***Please use this thread for Tri Nations Game One information and game day spoilers***