Bundy Rum Test Match 2007:
Australia vs New Zealand
Friday 20th April, 7:30pm; Suncorp Stadium
Referee: TBA
Team Notes:
Australia
Apart from the injured Mark Gasnier (chest), Greg Inglis (knee) and Luke O'Donnell (hamstring), the only player from last year's final to genuinely miss out was Bulldogs prop Mark O'Meley.
Selectors have shown faith in a Brisbane side down on confidence and although Darren Lockyer, Petero Civoniceva, Justin Hodges and Karmichael Hunt were never in doubt, Brent Tate and Shaun Berrigan are lucky to retain their spots.
Dynamic Melbourne Storm second-rower Ryan Hoffman has been called into the Australian Kangaroos squad as 18th man for tomorrow night’s Bundaberg Rum Test Match against New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium.
New Zealand
South Sydney prop Roy Asotasi was today named as the new skipper of the Kiwi rugby league team to replace the retired Ruben Wiki.
Asotasi, who has 15 caps, will lead a side with three 20-year-old new caps when he runs out for the Anzac test against Australia in Brisbane on Friday night.
One of the newcomers is in the starting 13 -- Parramatta back Krisnan Inu, who was a surprise selection when the original 19-strong squad was named yesterday.
Inu, who has just one first-grade appearance to his name, will wear the No 1 jersey.
The other new caps are on the bench in the form of Brisbane utility Greg Eastwood and New Zealand Warrior prop Sam Rapira.
Teams:
Australia
1 Karmichael Hunt
2 Brent Tate
3 Jamie Lyon
4 Justin Hodges
5 Matt King
6 Darren Lockyer (c)
7 Johnathan Thurston
8 Brent Kite
9 Cameron Smith
10 Petero Civoniceva
11 Willie Mason
12 Nathan Hindmarsh
13 Andrew Ryan
Interchange
14 Luke Bailey
15 Shaun Berrigan
16 Steve Simpson
17 Anthony Tupou
18 Ryan Hoffman *Late Inclusion*
Coach: Ricky Stuart
New Zealand
Krisnan Inu
Jake Webster
Iosia Soliola
Simon Mannering
Manu Vatuvei
Benji Marshall
Ben Roberts
Nathan Cayless
Dene Halatau
Roy Asotasi (captain)
Sonny Bill Williams
Tony Puletua
David Fa'alogo.
Interchange:
David Faiumu
Sam Rapira
Greg Eastwood
Frank Pritchard
Coach: Brian McClennan
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