Kangaroos jumping, Kiwis leave out Luke's force
October 22nd 2008 08:12
Australia have headed in the right direction with their opening team line-up for the world cup opener against the Kiwis at the SFS this Sunday.
They have picked a team of players who are all in form, primed to deliver the Kangaroos a tenth world cup crown on home soil.
For the first time in many moons, the Australian selectors have picked a side without experiencing backlash from the media and respective NRL clubs.
The four debutants Josh Perry, Glenn Stewart, Anthony Laffranchi and Joel Monaghan had career defining seasons in 2008 and thoroughly deserve their place in the Kangaroos starting thirteen against New Zealand.
Laffranchi in particular will be hell bent on producing for the green and gold, after his father sadly passed away on grand final day this year.
On the other side of the spectrum, it seems the world has fallen on the Kiwis.
When Roosters centre Iosia Soliola was ruled out for the tournament due to a shoulder injury early this week, coach Stephen Kearney described his loss as ‘huge’.
Soliola was indeed one of the few that held their heads high against the Australians in this years centenary test, scoring a spectacular try in the second half to add some respectability on the scoreboard.
His damaging defence along with his penetrative runs will be sorely missed by the Kiwis.
Compounding Soliola’s loss however is the starting seventeen picked by New Zealand, with the selectors going for an out of form Dene Halatau on the bench, rather than explosive dummy half Issac Luke.
Do not get me wrong, Halatau is a gifted utility on his day, able to create space at will with his dynamic running ability and offloading skills.
But not since the 2005 preliminary final against the Dragons has Halatau performed to his potential.
Luke on the other hand has grown into one of the most important players for South Sydney, more often than not being the catalyst for many of the Rabbitohs come-back victories this season.
Not to mention he hits like a train in defence.
So one begs the question. Why Halatau and not Luke?
In his maiden test appearance for the Kiwis, Luke was a shining light in his debut, providing New Zealand with slick service out of dummy half, implying his dangerous attacking instincts against the Kangaroos.
With more games under his belt, Luke could indeed be one of the biggest drawcards for Stephen Kearney’s men come the semi-finals of this world cup.
But against a very fruitful Australia outfit this Sunday, New Zealand’s decision to leave him out of the squad could cost them significantly.
New Zealand: Lance Hohaia, Sam Perrett, Steve Matai, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, Benji Marshall, Thomas Leuluai, Nathan Cayless (capt), Nathan Fien, Adam Blair, Simon Mannering, Sika Manu, Jeremy Smith. Interchange: Dene Halatau, Greg Eastwood, Setaimata Sa, Sam Rapira.
Australia: Billy Slater, Joel Monaghan, Greg Inglis, Israel Folau, Brent Tate, Darren Lockyer (capt), Jonathan Thurston, Petero Civoniceva, Cameron Smith, Steve Price, Glenn Stewart, Anthony Laffranchi, Paul Gallen. Interchange: Brent Kite, Josh Perry, Anthony Tupou, Kurt Gidley.
| 53 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
