The Australian Maroons?

Hard to believe, but the representative season is here. Australia play New Zealand on Friday week at Skilled Park and if media chatter is correct, the Kangaroos side is already decided. There could be as many as 13 Queenslanders in the team – and why not! They are the five time Origin champions. Just for some fun, I will give you my Test teams based on what I’ve seen this season.

Last start Aussies

Despite winning all their group games in last years’ Four Nations tournament, the Aussies were beaten 16-12 in the Final by New Zealand back in November.

That side from 1-17 was: Slater, Morris, Tate, Tonga, Tuqiri, Lockyer, Cronk, Scott, Smith, Shillington, Lewis, Thaiday, Gallen, Learoyd-Lahrs, Bird, Gidley, Myles.

We know that Tate, Tuqiri and Lewis won’t be there next week due to injury while a fully fit and firing Johnathan Thurston will stroll back in. Petero Civoniceva dropped himself from that last game due to poor form but that’s not an issue now. The team named will be a strong one, but here’s mine anyway:

My Kangaroos

Based on 2011 form and reputations, my 17 man Australian (including 12 Maroons) side is:

Slater, Morris, Gasnier, Inglis, Tonga, Lockyer, Thurston, Scott, Smith, Civoniceva, Gallen, Thaiday, Harrison. Bench: Gidley, Shillington, Myles, Bird.

I don’t think there are any major controversies in there with most of the team from last year retained. I had Ben Creagh and Ben Hannant just missing out, while Kade Snowden and David Taylor were close.

With Darius Boyd injured, I favour Willie Tonga on the wing over Akuila Uate. The reason is simply experience – Tonga has done no wrong in rep football, he’s playing well and has played wing for Queensland before and never let anyone down. Uate should get his chance for NSW first.

Mark Gasnier just beats out Justin Hodges only because Hodges is still coming back from a long term injury. Hodges is playing well and will be in the Queensland team, but Gasnier is just ahead of him. I’ve got the Titans’ Ash Harrison and Greg Bird just ahead of Creagh while Dallas Johnson and Beau Scott went close.

Morris and Shillington have been down on their 2010 form but have done enough to be retained while Cooper Cronk is desperately unlucky – Gidley’s ability to cover the backline gives him the nod on the bench.

Trent Merrin

The Daily Telegraph reported this morning that Dragons unknown Trent Merrin looks like being named in the team on Sunday. He’s a front rower with only about 30 NRL games to his name. Nothing against Merrin, but they must be kidding! Merrin will go close to NSW Origin selection and that’s justified, but why rush things now? I would have a guy like Hannant ahead of Merrin for the Kangaroos at this stage.

The danger in naming an unknown like Merrin is heaping a stack of unfair pressure on him come Origin time. Remember last year when Paul Gallen played for Australia only to be inexplicitly overlooked by the Blues (due to politics more than anything else)? Gallen handled it like the hardened pro that he is, but can a rookie?

If Merrin plays for Australia and is then not picked for the Blues his confidence will be shot.
In the past we could make these selections because New Zealand was no better than most of our club sides. But not anymore.

Merrin is a good player but let him show the world in State of Origin first, rather than throw him to the Kiwis.

The Kiwis

Speaking of the Champions, let’s have a go at picking their side too. I’m assuming the Super League players won’t be considered, so here we go:

Hohaia, Nightingale, Sa’u, Matai, Kenny-Dowall, Foran, Marshall, Rapira, Luke, Blair, Pritchard, Harrison, Mannering. Bench: Fien, Glenn, Waerea-Hargreaves, Moi Moi

This forward pack was very hard to pick and I couldn’t find room for guys like Ben Matulino, Roy Asotasi and Frank-Paul Nuuasala!

I’ve gone with SKD on the wing only because the side needs him, Sa’u and Matai there somewhere. Despite being a better centre these days, SKD is the preferred winger of that trio. There’s specialists available though in Matt Utai and Matt Duffie, plus Antonio Winterstein too.

New Zealand will be very hard to beat so it should be one heck of a Test Match!

TIPPING
Tips – Brisbane, Souths, Roosters, Melbourne, Cowboys, Warriors, Tigers, Dragons
Last Week – 6/8
Total – 35/56 (63%)

Thanks for reading and you can share your teams with me at Twitter (@keyto316), email (andrew.keyte@gmail.com) or comment below.

Cheers,
Keyto