Bailey Titans first Kangaroo?

[DIEHARD]

Bailey earns an unlikely push

PETERO Civoniceva says Australia selectors must find a place in the Kanaroos side for Gold Coast workhorse Luke Bailey, labelling the Titans star the form prop of the competition.

Baliey, the Titans' marquee forward signing, has been inspirational in the opening rounds of the season for the new club.

Bailey has increased his workrate since moving from the Dragons, churning out an average 30.5 tackles and 158 metres per game in four rounds.

While selectors traditionally stick with incumbents for the early-season Test, Civoniceva said Bailey's efforts could not be ignored.

Bailey missed last year's Tri-Nations tournament with shoulder and neck injuries, but he has shown no after-effects during his start to 2007.

"Obviously the selectors make the decisions, but Luke certainly has the form on the board," Civoniceva, who is certain to be one of the first players selected when the team is chosen on Sunday night, said.

"He's been unbelievable.

"We will just have to wait and see what they come up with, but it's sort of a case where you just have to find a place in the team somewhere for him.

"He was one of the Titans' big off-season signings and they were probably looking at him to take on more of a leadership role than he did at the Dragons, where there were a lot of rep players and he's obviously relishing that."

Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett was equally effusive when discussing Bailey, who played one of his two Tests under the Broncos mentor in 2004.

"Bailey's been a great buy for them," Bennett said.

"He's got a great work ethic and you know he's going to give his best. That's the first thing you realise about guys like him, and you know players around him will be on their game."

Bailey would relish the opportunity to add to his two Test appearances, but he admits he will need another big performance against Civoniceva and the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium tonight.

With Bulldogs forward Willie Mason likely to selected as cover for the front and and second rows, Bailey will be jostling for a place with Manly's Brent Kite, Bulldogs enforcer Mark O'Meley, Sydney Roosters' Anthony Tupou and Brisbane's Sam Thaiday.

"Petero has been one of the best front rowers in the game over the past couple of years, and, while it is hard to say anyone would just replace Shane Webcke, he is probably the next best thing," Bailey said.

"I'd love to get the chance to play for Australia again. I don't know if I am much of a chance, to be honest.

"We are only a few games into the year and nobody is really playing their best football just yet, and the selectors usually stick with the blokes who have done it for them in the past.

"But it would be great to get another crack at that level and the Broncos are as good a measuring stick as you will get."

After being battered by the Bulldogs a fortnight ago, the mobile - but undersized - Titans forwards more than held their own against the giant Panthers pack in last weekend's 24-22 win at Penrith.

However, they will need to improve again to mix it with the premiers, who have been boosted by the return from suspension of lock Tonie Carroll and possibly Origin backrow forward David Stagg.

Gold Coast will again concede plenty of size in the south Queensland derby, and Bailey said the young Titans outfit had to draw on the lessons learned over the previous two weeks.

"We saw the draw at the start of the year and we saw the three big ones in a row here early on," Bailey said.

"Every team talks about ball control being really important, but, when you are a small team, you just can't afford to turn over cheap ball because the body can only sustain so much of a battering.

"That's what happened against the Bulldogs.

"Against Penrith, we just played boring football for most of the game - and that's what got us the win.

"You don't want to have to be tackling guys like Petero, Dane Carlaw, Brad Thorn and Sam Thaiday all day because eventually they'll just wear you down."

Mason, meanwhile, supported calls for the inclusion of Bulldogs teammate Reni Maitua in the Kangaroos back row after the season-ending injury to incumbent Luke O'Donnell.

Maitua played the opening game of last year's Tri-Nations, but his Test debut was soured by an ankle injury that ruled him out of the remainder of the tournament.

Source: http://www.FOXSPORTS.com.au

[Darren Lockyer]

Looks good for baiuley when people like petro and wayne are commenting like that

[TITAN PETE]

If picked on form the front rowers should be Bailey & Kite but we all know that form doesn't count for much but i'm sure the Bull will be there.

[Titanium_BD1103]

Interesting Titan Pete... I would say on form the front rowers would be Mason and Bailey... with Kite and Kaufusi on the bench... they are the form front rowers ATM....

Sadly it will be the case of the incumbents getting in, although I hope Bull gets a bench spot, as he deserves it, he is super consistent and in red hot form,and form should get you into a side, not the job you've done previously.

[patskE]

dont want em to pick anyone from titans if we have a game on that weekend :S

[TITAN PETE]

Interesting Titan Pete... I would say on form the front rowers would be Mason and Bailey... with Kite and Kaufusi on the bench... they are the form front rowers ATM.... .

You are right with Willy but i think he'll be picked in the 2nd row along side Hindmarsh with Reny Matua at lock.

[Tamwelg]

Bailey should definitly be in the Australia side, along wth Laffranchi IMO.

[bigjim]

dont want em to pick anyone from titans if we have a game on that weekend :S

Know where your coming from, but really it would be cruel to take any opportunity for a player to play for his country.

[MonaroMan]

Well Bailey is in the Australian side, on the bench. Well done to him