Australia vs NZ, Sunday October 16th

It's a decent team, but there's certainly some weak links.

Tough to say who the favourite is.
 
The bench is poor (Cronk's never performed at test level), the centers don't strike fear into my heart, Gallen at front row is an interesting decision in test match footy where size generally is a bit more important - and I reckon they needed him in the backrow to put Watmough on the bench to strengthen that.
 
Starting 13 is decent, bench is an absolute joke. How Williams makes it is beyond me!
 
NZ Kiwi squad changes: M.Vatuvei (knee/wrist), S.Johnson (back), S.Matai (shoulder/neck) OUT. E.Taylor, K.Inu and K.Faifai Loa IN.
 
That puts a different spin on thIngs, those are huge losses. Johnson may have struggled to get a game in the full strength side, but Vatuvei and Matai are major.
 
Pretty good side especially the forward pack although Lawrence and Tonga would have to be the worst centres paring in Australian Test history, not at all confident about the game .
 
Massive losses for the Kiwis.

I don't think the selection of Williams is that big of a joke. He's a very good player & can palm off anyone he wants. 2011 he has definately lifted a level, i think he deserves it. On this year's form anyway.
 
mozza said:
Pretty good side especially the forward pack although Lawrence and Tonga would have to be the worst centres paring in Australian Test history, not at all confident about the game .
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What's so bad about Lawrence & Tonga?

Come on, I don't really see anything wrong with the side besides the bench. Also, injuries have struck some of the players that should have been named.
 
I like it. Pretty good team by Australia given half our top squad is out for whatever reason. Just goes to show the depth only Australia has to create such a strong team with half a team missing. Australia should be favourites and with the changes to NZ listed above should win it with ease. Everyone bar maybe Shillington deserves to be in that squad.

To the people questioning Williams selections, he is in the squad and therefore going to be used. If you dont think he'll be good then think of it like this, better an exhibition match then a 4 Nations match thats counts. Though i think he deserves to be there.

I hope NSW and Australia dont make a habit out of playing Gallen at Prop.
 
Josh Hill said:
Massive losses for the Kiwis.I don't think the selection of Williams is that big of a joke. He's a very good player & can palm off anyone he wants. 2011 he has definately lifted a level, i think he deserves it. On this year's form anyway.
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New Zealand did beat Aus in the final last year without those players, and against a better Australian side, imo ... so it's not really a deal-breaker. It does show that Sau must be totally off the Kiwis radar, not being called up for Matai.I still think the NZ side will be better, when it's named, but they are notorious slow starters in the end of year internationals ... that's all that's counting against them.Williams is a weird selection, I'd have thought there'd be a few more worthy players around.
 
True but if NZ had those guys they would be so much better for it. Vatuvei is always showing up Uate when they come up against eachother, Matai would exploit our weakness in the centres & i certainly wouldn't want to be up agaisnt a guy like Johnson with a bit of room to run.
 
Kiwis team for this weekend: 1. Kevin Locke 2. Kalifa Faifai Loa 3. Lewis Brown 4. Gerard Beale 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Benji Marshall (c) 7. Kieran Foran 8. Russell Packer 9. Nathan Fien 10. Sam McKendry 11. Alex Glenn 12. Simon Mannering 13. Jeremy Smith. Interchange: 14. Issac Luke 15. Fuifui Moimoi 16. Sika Manu 17. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.
 
Great side, they definitely have the edge on the bench.

Inexperience is the only problem.
 
The Aussies should be 50 points infront before Kearney even gets the chance to use that impressive bench. Theres no comparison in the two side's starting 13, Australia will be winning this comfortably.
 
If the Kiwis had Vatuvei and Matai available I'd give them a massive chance, but with some new debutantes in KFFL and Beale playing, I can possibly see them struggling defensively out wide.

I think it will be close though because the NZ bench is honestly 1000x better then ours lol
 
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