Kiwi great uses his brain
THE fallout from Australia's distressing loss to New Zealand continued yesterday, with former Kiwi fullback Matthew Ridge controversially stating Trent Barrett should replace Darren Lockyer for Friday night's Test in Auckland.
Australia were beaten 38-28 in the opening Tri-Nations Test at Homebush on Saturday night, and scrutiny now centres on the Kangaroos team for the return game at Ericsson Stadium.
Ridge, the ex-Manly fullback, said Australia would be a "wounded beast", and he predicted selectors would make up to four changes when the side is announced tomorrow.
But Ridge's most contentious change surrounds Barrett - who played for the Junior Kangaroos against New Zealand A in a curtain-raiser to the Test on Saturday - replacing five-eighth Lockyer.
"I'd have Trent Barrett in there - I rate Barrett," Ridge said.
"Lockyer seems to be drifting across field and is an easy target. He is putting pressure on his outside men.
"He looks like he needs a rest.
"Trent is a bit younger and a bit fresher and runs more at the line.
"When they make changes they normally do so in the halves and you aren't going to throw Andrew Johns away.
Australia usually makes changes after a loss and I reckon they could make three or four.
"I didn't think much of Australia's composure on Saturday night but I'm not prepared to write them off either."
There is no chance of Lockyer being dropped, however, and coach Wayne Bennett will also resist calls to shift his captain back to fullback.
Winger Timana Tahu will miss the return Test in Auckland with a hamstring injury, forcing at least one chance.
Matt Cooper would seem likely to come in at centre, with Brent Tate shifting to wing.
Some questioned the decision to play Trent Waterhouse at centre when Tahu came off on Saturday.
Australia hooker Danny Buderus meanwhile denied the side had been ambushed by the Kiwis.
"We knew it was coming," he said. "The result will make things all the more interesting.
"We have put pressure on ourselves but that will make us hungrier.
"We just dropped too much ball - fundamental stuff."
Buderus described the coming Test as "massive".
"They will be going nuts over there," he said.
Another Kiwi champion, Gary Freeman, said New Zealand could now kick along and win the Tri-Nations.
"I think New Zealand will win it after watching this game," he said.
"They were there for a purpose on Saturday night and will only get stronger.
"The Kiwis looked hungry and wanted to dominate. We have players with footwork that worried the Aussies. Australia thought it may be all too easy."
After the match, Bennett spoke of his disappointment. "I expected to be better than what we were and I can't use that for an excuse for what we did, we weren't even close to them," he said.
The Daily Telegraph
Good to see someone with a bit of common sense.