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Australia v New Zealand 6 May 2016 in Newcastle


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Mal Meninga named squad today

 

The 2016 Kangaroos squad

1. Darius Boyd
2. Semi Radradra
3. Greg Inglis
4. Josh Dugan
5. Blake Ferguson
6. Johnathan Thurston
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Matt Scott
9. Cameron Smith © 
10. Paul Gallen
11. Josh Papalii
12. Matt Gillett
13. Corey Parker

Interchange:
14. Josh McGuire
15. Michael Morgan
16. James Tamou
17. Sam Thaiday
18. Aidan Guerra
19. Michael Jennings

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I’m disappointed that we picked Radradra. The eligibility rule surrounding residence should be primarily to allow weaker countries to use any expats available to improve their strength, not to allow richer countries to simply buy in ready-made athletes.

 

I understand the argument that, since Semi is eligible for OZ and has nominated OZ as his country of eligibility then selection should be based purely on merit. I guess, if anything, I’m annoyed at the RLIF for allowing a player with such promotional value to Fiji to change his country of allegiance.

 

I’m also disappointed that the NRL, ARLC or RLIF didn’t offer Semi some kind of paid ambassadorship on condition that he continued to play for Fiji, thus removing any financial motive to join the Kangaroos.

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It's a strong team. The only surprise for me is Dugan. Unlike Inglis who can switch from full back to centre and vice versa Dugan always looks out of position in the centre and it's either full back or nothing in my opinion. Especially when you see a quality centre like Jennings in the extended squad.

"The history of the world is the history of the triumph of the heartless over the mindless." — Sir Humphrey Appleby.

"If someone doesn't value evidence, what evidence are you going to provide to prove that they should value it? If someone doesn't value logic, what logical argument could you provide to show the importance of logic?" — Sam Harris

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Bad day on the Autospell?

Ah yes... I will revisit!

"The history of the world is the history of the triumph of the heartless over the mindless." — Sir Humphrey Appleby.

"If someone doesn't value evidence, what evidence are you going to provide to prove that they should value it? If someone doesn't value logic, what logical argument could you provide to show the importance of logic?" — Sam Harris

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And perhaps Corey Oates over Ferguson (although Radradra and Oates both play left wing and Ferguson is typically on the right so that probably swayed it).

 

What stands out to me is that there are two full backs in the centre and a centre on the wing.

"The history of the world is the history of the triumph of the heartless over the mindless." — Sir Humphrey Appleby.

"If someone doesn't value evidence, what evidence are you going to provide to prove that they should value it? If someone doesn't value logic, what logical argument could you provide to show the importance of logic?" — Sam Harris

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And perhaps Corey Oates over Ferguson (although Radradra and Oates both play left wing and Ferguson is typically on the right so that probably swayed it).

 

What stands out to me is that there are two full backs in the centre and a centre on the wing.

 

Australia always mix and match their outside backs in Test teams

They pick the best players with the best skill sets in any position in the backline.

They had 4 or 5 Fullbacks in their World Cup winning team.

Look at Hayne, he was a Winger, Stand off, Full Back and the best Centre of the 2013 World Cup, a position he had never played at Test level.

Talent is secondary to whether players are confident.

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I would have considered Oates too. With Hodges, Slater and Chambers gone, Oates will probably get a Maroon jumper.

Oates should have be given a go.

He is locked in for Qld I think

Talent is secondary to whether players are confident.

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And perhaps Corey Oates over Ferguson (although Radradra and Oates both play left wing and Ferguson is typically on the right so that probably swayed it).

What stands out to me is that there are two full backs in the centre and a centre on the wing.

I completely forgot about Oates. Imagine having the luxury of not picking Corey Oates!

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The Kiwis are jinxed at this time of year. Foran, RTS, Lolohia and probably Mannering are massive blows. Throw in the timely suspensions which always come before the test match.

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Thinking through the Aussie backline a bit more I honestly don't think it is the strongest they could pick, the centres in particular.

 

I would never underestimate Inglis as he is a modern day great but he does seem to be below his best and suffering from recurring knee problems which seem to have effected his explosive pace - he is still very powerful and capable of beating the first defenders but he is not the athlete he once was.  Josh Dugan is a much better full back than centre as he is a runner through and through and better in unstructured plays which running from full back suits.  If this were England lining up against Australia I would rather see an Inglis and Dugan centre partnership line up for Australian than say Michael Jennings and James Roberts who are out and out centres on the top of the their game.

 

Cue an Inglis hat trick and a Dugan MoM performance!

"The history of the world is the history of the triumph of the heartless over the mindless." — Sir Humphrey Appleby.

"If someone doesn't value evidence, what evidence are you going to provide to prove that they should value it? If someone doesn't value logic, what logical argument could you provide to show the importance of logic?" — Sam Harris

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The Kiwis are jinxed at this time of year. Foran, RTS, Lolohia and probably Mannering are massive blows. Throw in the timely suspensions which always come before the test match.

Well Lolohea played for Tonga last year so ...........

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Rumour that NZRL will continue the NZ Warriors ban on the 6 players dropped for disciplinary reasons this week. That would include Matulino, Vatuvei and maybe Bodene Thompson.

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Rumour that NZRL will continue the NZ Warriors ban on the 6 players dropped for disciplinary reasons this week. That would include Matulino, Vatuvei and maybe Bodene Thompson.

Looks like there's going to be a few debutants and recalls for the kiwis. Do you think We could see the likes of DWZ, Rona and Rapana making the debuts Ducky?

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We'll find out after the final NRL game tomorrow.

 

I already had DWZ at FB with RTS and Lolohea out, I think they'll need Hiku in the halves. Rona or Rapana on one wing with SKD moving to centre to cover Whare's absence. I think Nightingale still deserves one wing.

 

Matulino missing would be unfortunate but Taupau or Taumalolo could play prop. Eastwood's been good this year.

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We'll find out after the final NRL game tomorrow.

 

I already had DWZ at FB with RTS and Lolohea out, I think they'll need Hiku in the halves. Rona or Rapana on one wing with SKD moving to centre to cover Whare's absence. I think Nightingale still deserves one wing.

 

Matulino missing would be unfortunate but Taupau or Taumalolo could play prop. Eastwood's been good this year.

I think I'd go with a backline of :-

DWZ

Rapana

SKD

Kahu

Nightingale

Hiku

Johnson

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Rumour that NZRL will continue the NZ Warriors ban on the 6 players dropped for disciplinary reasons this week. That would include Matulino, Vatuvei and maybe Bodene Thompson.

 

They were only stood down for one game.

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Indeed. Hasn't he been out of form for the Warriors as well?

 

I've seen all the Warriors games and he has been very hit and miss. However, he was truly awful in the weeks before the test last year and then put in a 5-star performance to whoop the Aussies.

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I've seen all the Warriors games and he has been very hit and miss. However, he was truly awful in the weeks before the test last year and then put in a 5-star performance to whoop the Aussies.

Maybe with all the injuries and players being stood down the pressure will be off the kiwis as everybody would make the Aussies clear favourites and Johnson could put on another 5star performance.

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