Welcome Guest
[Log In]
[Register]
- rugby league forums
- →
- Rugby league forums
- →
- International rugby league
- →
- Kiwis chasing fast start against Kangaroos
Follow @rugbyleaguehq
| Hey there, Welcome to Rugbyleagueforum. We hope you enjoy your visit. This board has sections that cover domestic and international rugby league competitions, as well as games in progress, and current rugby league news. ???*•.¸¸¸.•*¨¨*•.¸¸¸.•*•???¸.•?*¨¨*•.¸¸¸.•*•???•* ???¦H¦A¦P¦P¦Y¦?¦N¦E ¦W¦¦?¦Y¦E¦A¦R¦¦??? *•???*•.¸¸¸.•*¨¨*•.¸¸¸.•*•?¸.•?*¨¨*•.¸¸¸.•*•???•« If you don't feel like registering, you are still able to reply to any topic you choose simply by clicking on the "Add Reply" Button, but you do need to be registered to start your own topics, plus have access to the other special features on this board Click Here To become a registered member of rugbyleagueforum.com |
| Kiwis chasing fast start against Kangaroos | |
|---|---|
| Topic Started: May 6 2010, 09:49 PM (90 Views) | |
| stacey | May 6 2010, 09:49 PM Post #1 |
Administrator
|
By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE in Melbourne - Stuff  EYES ON THE PRIZE: Kiwi forward Adam Blair trains in Melbourne for the Anzac test against Australia. Kiwis hard man Adam Blair is demanding a fast start from New Zealand in the Anzac Test tonight, believing that has been the key to their recent successes against Australia. The 2008 World Cup win and last year's Four Nations draw were built on the Kiwis getting the jump on the Kangaroos. Blair wants more of the same in his home city of Melbourne. "We always need a start against these Aussies ... we can't take a backwards step because they are a good enough team to put us away," Blair said in the final press conference. "So it's vital that we start good and go out there and complete ours sets and ramp things up. "Belief is a massive thing in our camp. We believe in each other and we look after each other on the field. We have to start good and we need every single player playing their best footy for 80 minutes." Trans-Tasman tests have a habit of being hugely physical over the opening phase. This one looks no different and English referee Richard Silverwood will be under pressure. Blair will be a key to the Kiwis' hopes. Their game plan centres around a furious assault up the middle of the park. That will suit the big backrower who has been in barnstorming form for Melbourne. His yardage and offloading abilities can give New Zealand the momentum they will need if they are to score a rare win in Australia. Blair has been a constant in Kearney's selections, having played all 12 tests in the coach's era. It hasn't been the same for players around him. Injuries and form mean there are 11 changes to the Kiwi side that lost this corresponding test last year. But some of the changes are for the better and Kearney is particularly excited about the axis to the side – the combination of dummy half Issac Luke with the new halves pairing of Kieran Foran and skipper Benji Marshall. "Last year we didn't have Isaac, Kieran's playing good football at the moment, Benji too. "In the past we haven't been as strong in those positions as we'd have liked." "It was all on Stacey (Jones) and we'd have to convert someone into five-eighth. Now we've finally got someone to complement Benji. I've been very impressed with Kieran this week - his attitude to his job and his game. "He's a kid that's slotted into the role that Matty Orford occupied (at Manly) for quite some time. The last four or so weeks he's handling it like he's been there for ages. "He's that type of kid. You give him something to do and he's takes it on board and charges out there at 100 miles an hour. "If he continues the way he's going he'll wear the Kiwis jumper for a long time. "So the three of them are all playing well but the challenge is pulling all that together." And added to that challenge is the Australian personnel they are up against - Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Darren Lockyer. But Kearney says he feels more comfortable than he did a year ago when injuries and suspensions struck. He believes the Kiwis' planning this time is far superior. "It was a crash course last year. But we've been well organised this time around. Things have gone really well this week and that planning has been a big part of it." While the Anzac Test record stands at 9-1 in favour of the Kangaroos, Smith conceded the Kiwis had closed the gap on Australia in recent times. "There's not too much between these teams now. The Kiwis won the World Cup but we got a bit back last year," respected Storm skipper Smith said. "I think it's going to be a great match. We see a lot of these guys playing in the NRL. The Aussies aren't out in front so much any more and it's great for the international game." New Zealand: Lance Hohaia (NZ Warriors), Sam Perrett (Sydney Roosters), Junior Sa'u (Newcastle Knights), Steve Matai (Manly Sea Eagles), Jason Nightingale (St George Illawarra Dragons), Benji Marshall (Wests Tigers, captain), Kieran Foran (Manly Sea Eagles), Adam Blair (Melbourne Storm), Zeb Taia (Newcastle Knights), Bronson Harrison (Canberra Raiders), Frank-Paul Nuuausala (Sydney Roosters), Isaac Luke (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Sam Rapira (NZ Warriors). Interchange: Aaron Heremaia (NZ Warriors), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters), Ben Matulino (NZ Warriors), Sika Manu (Melbourne Storm). 18th man: Alex Glenn (Brisbane Broncos). Australia: Billy Slater (Melbourne Storm), Brett Morris (St George Illawarra Dragons), Greg Inglis (Melbourne Storm), Jamie Lyon (Manly Sea Eagles), Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta Eels), Darren Lockyer (Brisbane Broncos, captain), Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm), Paul Gallen (Cronulla Sharks), Luke Lewis (Penrith), Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos), Petero Civoniceva (Penrith Panthers), Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm), David Shillington (Canberra Raiders). Interchange: Kurt Gidley (Newcastle Knights), Josh Perry (Manly Sea Eagles), Anthony Watmough (Manly Sea Eagles), Michael Weyman (St George Illawarra Dragons). 18th man: Nate Myles (Sydney Roosters). Referee: Richard Silverwood (England). www.stuff.co.nz |
 rugbyleagueforum.com | |
 |
 
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| « Previous Topic · International rugby league · Next Topic » |
| Track Topic · E-mail Topic |
 6:17 PM Feb 6
|
Theme created by Tue of Self Concept and ZBTZ.