God defend the Kiwis at the SCG
April 29th 2008 10:15
Sonny Bill needs to lead New Zealand next Friday night
Much has been hyped around the Australian test team this week.
The Australian selectors recently announced their seventeen players to take the field on what will be an historic occasion for all involved.
The test against New Zealand represents the 100th anniversary between two of Rugby league's fiercest rivals.
It is a trans-tasman tug of war and it will take shape on the birth place of Rugby league in this country. The SCG.
Although recent history between the two sides suggests a one-sided encounter, It is important to note that this represents the Kiwis best chance of seeking ultimate redemption.
Let us not forget that in 2005-06, they dominated the test arena which culminated in them winning the Tri-Nations and going within an absolute wisker of pulling it off again the following year.
The match at the SFS in particular was without doubt the gutsiest and heartfelt performance i have ever seen displayed by a New Zealand test team.
Even though Australia won the match courtesy of Thurston and Lockyer magic, The Kiwis displayed all the champion qualities of a team that was seldom in their horrific loss to the Kangaroos last year.
It is without a doubt that the loss in 2006 hurt them tremendously. If anything the Kiwis should have been inspired by what many call as the greatest test match played in Rugby League.
It showed that at the peak of their powers, New Zealand are a menacing force.
Their full strength roster is brutal to say the least. Just picture the likes of Sonny Bill Williams, Benji Marshall, Steve Matai, Fui Fui Moi Moi, Krisnan Inu, Frank Pritchard and Roy Asotasi performing the haka.
They are a very physical force to say the least and clearly have what it takes to challenge Australia's supremecy in League.
If You throw in the majority of their Super League based players into the squad, the Kiwis will be a hard force to contain.
In saying this, it is so frustrating to see coaches in England refusing to let New Zealand players go and represent their own nation.
For peek sakes, it is the centenary test and it is fundamental that a team of New Zealand's following be allowed to gather their full strength.
Their should be no policy what so ever. International duty must be the prime objective of every player and hence should be allowed to make their own choices on their avalability.
It is robbing the test arena of a genuine contest and it continually plays into Australia's hands in the end.
For international rugby league to succeed, Teams such as New Zealand and all the Islander nations need to have all personel fit and ready to represent their nation. Club games aside, international football is the pinnacle of any sport.
The Rugby League World Cup, which is set to kick off early October, will provide many fans with a clear insight to where international football is heading.
Let's hope it heads north very quickly.
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