***Rugby League World Cup 2008 Thread***

[NUFAN]

Nice one.
Only player I picked which didn't make it was Thaiday, I do think he's pretty unlucky, had a very good season. No Hunt either, but was hard for him with Stewart and Slater being so gun.

Congrats to Campese!

 

[howardj]

Something horribly awry with a player playing for his country when he hasn't played Origin.

 

[Simon]

Something horribly awry with a player playing for his country when he hasn't played Origin.

disagree, if there was an origin game last week I'd imagine every one of those players except for Josh Perry (who has played Origin before) and David Williams (who happens to be the flavour of the month right now) would have been playing.

I think its a very fair squad and apart from Thaiday, Tupou, Cross and Hayne there isnt anyone who can be too upset with not being picked.

 

[Craig]

Doubt it. You could have an U/9s final at Suncorp Stadium and it would sell out.

Haha.

Under 9's GF more in demand then a QLD Cup GF?

Probably.

Hey it is quality half time entertainment for mine.

 

[~DanVettoriFan~]

I'm sorry, but the RLWC is pathetic. It's an extended Tri Nations.

 

[Mister Wright]

I like the squad. Agree Thaiday's rough to miss out, and super happy Prince has been picked.

 

[Craig]

Australian Squad Named

Terry Campese (Raiders)
Petero Civoniceva (Panthers)
Michael Crocker (Storm)
Craig Fitzgibbon (Roosters)
Israel Folau (Storm)
Paul Gallen (Sharks)
Kurt Gidley (Knights)
Justin Hodges (Broncos)
Greg Inglis (Storm)
Brent Kite (Sea-Eagles)
Anthony Laffranchi (Titans)
Darren Lockyer (Broncos) (Captain)
Joel Monaghan (Raiders)
Josh Perry (Sea-Eagles)
Steve Price (Warriors)
Scott Prince (Titans)
Billy Slater (Storm)
Cam Smith (Storm)
Glenn Stewart (Sea-Eagles)
Brett Stewart (Sea-Eagles)
Brent Tate (Warriors)
Jonathon Thurston (Cowboys)
Anthony Watmough (Sea-Eagles)
David Williams (Sea-Eagles)

Surprised they picked Crocker since he is going over to England next year and I thought they did not pick players who did that. Although Stuart was singing Crocker's praises in the Sunday Telegraph.

 

[chaminda_00]

Anyone else think it a bit surprising there is no reserve specialist hooker. Would have thought Buderus would have got a run in the squad if Crocker got selected. I guess you have Gildey that can play hooker, or one reserve halves or Slater who thinks he can play hooker. Still would have had one more specialist there myself.

Pretty decent squad all rounder. No real big name players missed out, without other guys being in better form.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Does anyone see this coming down anywhere else than an England-Australia final?

 

[BoyBrumby]

Does anyone see this coming down anywhere else than an England-Australia final?

I'd imagine the rugby league following New Zealanders might see it differently. We did give them a pasting in the 2007 test series, but it was a v weakened Kiwis.

Mind you, Asotasi & Pritchard are out for them this time too, which won't help.

 

[bryce]

I think its a very fair squad and apart from Thaiday, Tupou, Cross and Hayne there isnt anyone who can be too upset with not being picked.

+Hunt. I'm sure the hardest selection job in the world is picking a Aussie XIII

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

SBW obviously also out.

 

[~DanVettoriFan~]

It kind of annoys me, people saying Sonny Bill is 'out' he's not coming back so how can he be 'out'. It makes him sound like hes still playing league.

I don't know what else you would say, but I wouldn't say out. Maybe gone?

 

[bryce]

Yeah, coulda also done with Pritchard. Still not a bad side, it was also named today. Manu the only new cap. Also no Kenny-Dowall. Just need to say this I ****in' hate Jeremy Smith. Leuluai & Fien going head-to-head for 7. Personally i'd entertain the thought of playing Soliola at 13.

NEW ZEALAND
Nathan Cayless (Parramatta, captain)
Adam Blair (Melbourne)
Greg Eastwood (Brisbane)
David Fa'alogo (South Sydney)
Nathan Fien (Warriors)
Dene Halatau (Tigers)
Lance Hohaia (Warriors)
Krisnan Inu (Parramatta)
David Kidwell (South Sydney)
Thomas Leuluai (Wigan)
Jeff Lima (Melbourne)
Issac Luke (South Sydney)
Simon Mannering (Warriors)
Sika Manu (Melbourne)
Benji Marshall (Tigers)
Steve Matai (Manly)
Sam Perrett (Roosters)
Sam Rapira (Warriors)
Jerome Ropati (Warriors)
Setaimata Sa (Roosters)
Jeremy Smith (Melbourne)
Iosia Soliola (Roosters)
Manu Vatuvei (Warriors)
Brent Webb (Leeds)

 

[bryce]

1.Brent WEBB
2.Krisnan INU
3.Iosia SOLIOLA
4.Steve MATAI
5.Manu VATUVEI
6.Benji MARSHALL
7.Nathan FIEN
8.Nathan CAYLESS
9.Isaac LUKE
10.Jeff LIMA
11.David FA'ALOGO
12.Sika MANU
13.Simon MANNERING

14.Lance HOHAIA
15.Setaimata SA
16.Greg EASTWOOD
17.Sam RAPIRA

That would be my best side

 

[S.P. Fleming]

My best NZ XIII

1. Brent Webb
2. Krisnan Inu
3. Steve Matai
4. Jerome Ropati
5. Manu Vatuvai
6. Benji Marshall
7. Nathan Fein
8. Sam Rapira
9. Isaac Luke
10. Nathan Cayless
11. Simon Mannering
12. David F'alongo
13. David Kidwell

 

[Perm]

Something horribly awry with a player playing for his country when he hasn't played Origin.

disagree, if there was an origin game last week I'd imagine every one of those players except for Josh Perry (who has played Origin before) and David Williams (who happens to be the flavour of the month right now) would have been playing.

Nah, gotta agree with howardj here mate. If a player wan't picked for Origin earlier in the season and makes the Test squad, feels a bit weird. Picked on half/season, even if he was injured or something earlier.

 

[bryce]

Yeah, but I think that what Simon is tryna say is that there's so many quality players in Aus that it really depends on who is in the best form at the time the respective selections are made

 

[BoyBrumby]

Nah, gotta agree with howardj here mate. If a player wan't picked for Origin earlier in the season and makes the Test squad, feels a bit weird. Picked on half/season, even if he was injured or something earlier.

Didn't El Masri play tests (or a test) before he played Origin too? Think KHunt might've done as well, so maybe not that uncommon.

Anyway England squad from the Beeb. Fielden the biggest (fit) name to miss out, although Peter Fox @ Hull KR a bit unlucky too. Calderwood's & Smith's performances in the final series have probably edged him out.

 

[NUFAN]

1.Brent WEBB
2.Krisnan INU
3.Iosia SOLIOLA
4.Steve MATAI
5.Manu VATUVEI
6.Benji MARSHALL
7.Nathan FIEN
8.Nathan CAYLESS
9.Isaac LUKE
10.Jeff LIMA
11.David FA'ALOGO
12.Sika MANU
13.Simon MANNERING

14.Lance HOHAIA
15.Setaimata SA
16.Greg EASTWOOD
17.Sam RAPIRA

That would be my best side

I like this team. realize you don't like Jerm Smith, but I think he could probably get the number 12 spot with Manu on the bench and either Sa or Eastwood 18th man.