Rugby League World Cup 2008 Week Two preview.

Samoa V Tonga
In my opinion, this could be the game of the tournament. All the build up has been centred around these two Pacific Island’s history both on and off the RL pitch. The hatred for each other is off the scale. It goes beyond any Saints V Wigan, Hull FC V Hull KR or Australia V England rivalry. I don’t intend to watch this game for the skill factor or the little moment of magic that might win the game for either side. I’m hoping for an all out brawl. I expect huge hits whether they are legal or not. I want to see raw emotion that will separate the men from the boys.

And there is a good chance you will get to see all of that.
Prediction: Samoa by 4

Fiji V France
France go into this game after a comfortable win over the Scottish Bravehearts, who themselves lived up to their namesake. On that evidence, France should go in as favourites being in form and everyone’s choice to progress into the semi finals. However, the Fijian side doesn’t exactly make for easy reading. Jarryd Hayne is first on the team sheet while Semi Tadulala lies in the back line, Aston Sims beefs up an already rather bulky side all round. The key to Fiji is to use this to their advantage, while France will earn victory if they use the flanks.
Prediction: France by 16

New Zealand V Papua New Guinea
With the absence of Steve Matai and The Kiwis only try scorer, Sika Manu, a depleted New Zealand side must take on The Kumuls at Skilled Stadium in what could be the upset Adrian Lam has been hoping for. PNG were very good against England, and there were signs as New Zealand faced Australia that The Kiwis did not look at all comfortable. But NZ’s run of seven defeats in eight games (with only a win against France at the end of their 2007 tour) is surely coming to an end soon, or else the NZRL board must start to look within itself to find answers to its national side’s problems.
PNG meanwhile, go into the game full of confidence and no doubt with the same enthusiasm that rode them close against England. With all that in mind, I’m to tip PNG to upset New Zealand. Benji Marshall must save NZ from embarrassment or face his own career and reputation to go down the sink like so many domestic greats within our game.
Prediction: New Zealand by 14

Australia V England
Last met in Brisbane two years ago as Great Britain, GB were stuffed 33-10 on the back of their infamous 23-10 success in Sydney. Tony Smith must re-create that success if he is to keep his unbeaten run as national coach, and shut the Aussies up until the final at least. As its quite plausible both sides have progressed into the semi finals anyway, this game can only be seen as an excuse to test the water before the serious business begins on the 15th November. That said, because its Australia and England, its going to be fiercely contested like a World Cup final.

England are unchanged except for the introduction for Mark Calderwood as Lee Smith is injured. That means Adrian Morley will be used as an impact player off the bench while Peacock and Graham are the mixed blend of internationally experienced and inexperienced. Danny McGuire will no doubt replace either Burrow or Pryce. If Roby is taken off however, Burrow will move to hooker while McGuire takes over the No7 role.

Australia have also made one change to their line up that beat New Zealand 30-6. Karmichael Hunt replaces the controversial Anthony Tupou. Hunt was brought into Austrralia’s squad during the week as a result of subsequent injuries to various players.

The key for England to win this game, as I have said time and time before, the forwards must outplay the Aussie pack. With Peacock and Morley on the field at the same time, England can take on any pack in the world. Graham must prove he is capable of playing high intensity international Rugby League and be seen to carry the ball so Australia are back peddling every time. For Australia, they must hold the England front row, as the back line will fall automatically whenever Australia get within twenty metres of the try line.
Prediction: Australia by 18

Rugby League World Cup - Week One review.

England 32-22 Papua New Guinea
After watching The Kumels dominate England for the majority of the first half, you have to wonder if we seriously have any chance of winning this tournament. PNG went into the tournament unhappy with the format, and unhappy with the draw that they said guaranteed them three losses in three matches. But no matter how they finish the tournament now, they can hold their heads high knowing they have given one of the biggest nations in Rugby League a huge scare.

The only defence for England is knowing that most of the seventeen that played in Townsville hadn’t played together since the thrashing of France. A PNG first team had lost to an Australian Prime Ministers XIII a week before the Grand Finals, but at least their team had played together within a month leading up the World Cup opener.

I have to credit Neville Costigan who was easily the best man on the pitch. For him to be on the losing side is a bit of injustice but Adrian Lam did mention before the tournament that this competition gave his players the opportunity to put themselves in the shop window for Super League and NRL clubs. Papua New Guinea has always been able to produce promising players and I feel one or two will be snapped up if they continue to perform against New Zealand and Australia.

For England I think the only decent player on the field was James Roby. His runs from dummy half gave England the go forward that PNG weren’t capable of stopping. Man for man, PNG managed to stand up against our props. Peacock didn’t have that good of a game as captain, as did any of the other forwards, but Morley did make an impact when he came off the bench on a few occasions.

Looking ahead, I feel Papua New Guinea can challenge New Zealand the way they did England. As for England, there is a slim hope they can beat Australia so long as the forwards outplay Price, Civoniceva, Laffranchi and the rest. From there, England can put the sword to the back line and hopefully Gardner, Gleeson, Senoir and Smith or Calderwood can finish off the attack. Its a big ask for the forwards, but it has been done before. Remember the last time Australia lost a match?

Scotland 18-36 France
The French were too good for Scotland really. The Scots played well and were able to compete for the majority of the game, but lacked the ability or fitness to play for the full eighty minutes. This was seen as France scored a very good team try on the full time hooter from inside their own thirty metres.

There were promising signs for France though. The fact they scored three tries, for a team that has never won a World Cup match, must be a massive boost for Steve McCormack going into the final group game against Fiji. France meanwhile, can take away an impressive performance from ex-Canberra and Warrington player Jerome Guissett. He showed what he is capable of on his day and came up with a solid prop forwards effort.

Australia 30-6 New Zealand
Theres no other word for it really. Australia blitzed New Zealand in what was promised as the game of week one. It went downhill for New Zealand from the start. Steve Matai will miss the PNG game on Saturday after a terrible forearm tackle on Gallen. The inexperience of Joel Monaghan, Laffranchi and Glenn Stewart didn’t prove anything as New Zealand weren’t able to use that to their advantage. Benji Marshall failed to live up to his reputation as the saviour of New Zealand’s tournament. In my opinion, the Kiwi players relied too much on his presence while Australia nailed onto him from the off.

Apart from Matai’s forearm tackle resulting in a ban for the Manly centre, he also has to contend with a suspected wrist injury. He was seen holding his wrist on various occasions throught the game, more noticeably after taking New Zealand’s only conversion. Injury worries also for Australia, Jonathan Thurston has an dodgy shoulder problem while Brent Tate went off with suspected concussion. Both potentially could miss the game in Melbourne against England.

Special credit must go to Israel Folau. The teenager never backed down and scored two decent tries in the corner. He could have had a hat-trick had his first half effort not been prevented by the New Zealand defence.

Tonga 22-20 Ireland
Heartbreak for Ireland as they lost to Tonga in what is so far the tournaments most exciting game. By all accounts, it wasn’t the most skilful game you’ll see in the next month or so, but it proved to be exciting due to the emotion and determination of both sides desperation to win. Damien Blanch’s hat-trick went unrewarded but Ireland can take heart from a solid display. Many pundits, myself included, tipped them to be the whipping boys of Pool 3. By losing so narrowly, they proved to me and many others they are not here to make up the numbers.

Who will win the Rugby League World Cup in 2008? Readers poll - The results are in!

The first of many A Tap on the Twenty readers polls came to a close as England and Papua New Guinea kicked off the tournament on Saturday. Fifty-one of you voted as to who you thought would win the RL World Cup and it comes as no surprise as to who you think will win the tournament.

Australia were eventual winners in the poll despite England gaining an early lead at about March/April of this season. Australia played catch up for the majority of the season. The lead was given to Australia as the NRL and Super League domestic play offs got closer, but that lead was snatched away by only a handful of votes. Eventually within the two weeks leading up to kick off in Townsville, Australia re-took the lead again and managed to hang on until the deadline.

New Zealand were the third most voted team earning and never looked like losing that position all year. Only Ireland gained more than one vote for a team outside the "top three" while Fiji were the only side not to earn a vote.

The final results are:

Australia - 41% (21)
England - 37% (19)
Fiji - 0% (0)
France - 1% (1)
Ireland - 2% (3)
New Zealand - 7% (4)
Papua New Guinea - 1% (1)
Samoa - 1% (1)
Scotland - 1% (1)
Tonga - 1% (1)

Thanks to all that voted, and all those regular readers where ever you are.

Rugby League World Cup - Week One preview.

England V Papua New Guniea
England go into this game red hot favourites, a bit like the conditions in Townsville. The weather forcast tommorows game will definatly suit the Papuans. A minimum temperature of 23°C (73°F) awaits England as the sun sets at 18:17 EST, only 22 minutes after sheduled kick off. But despite the hype surrounding the weather and if England will be able to withstand it, this game should be a walkover. Tony Smith has insisted time and time again the preparations are right for the tournament and every last detail has been discussed and organised. There are no excuses for losing.
Prediction: England by 30

Scotland V France
In Canberra, the conditions will be slightly cooler compared to Townsville. France will have the upper hand with a team full of Catalan players, compared to a side that has a large proporation not playing first grade. Look out for Thomas Bosc and Danny Brough, as both have had fantastic domestic seasons and both will be wanting to get one over the other. If France take out Brough, the Scots going to struggle big time. Size, power and overall experience will put the Fench ahead of their opponents.
Prediction: France by 18

Australia V New Zealand
From an English point of view, its a case of finding the lesser evil. Both sides have a strong squad, but usually Australia absorb the mind games and use it as motivation. If New Zealand hadn't learnt their lesson last year, they will do this time. Former Wigan and New Zealand coach, Graeam Lowe, came out recently and said Petero Civoniceva and Steve Price look old and out of gas. The Australians are like wasps, intimidate them and they will sting. Even Benji Marshall's magic cannot prevent this Kiwi loss.
Prediction: Australia by 20

Tonga V Ireland
Ireland go into this game, and indeed the group, as the whipping boys. Tonga have recruited a decent squad that can potentially get them out of the group. Ireland's key players seem to be Pat Richards, Stuart Littler, Eamon O'Carroll and Michael McIlorum. Compare that to Fraiser Anderson, Richard Fa'aoso and Michael Jennings, its not really a contest.
Prediction: Tonga by 44

A Tap on the Twenty’s Rugby League World Cup preview.

We are now a matter of days before the World Cup kicks off in Townsville on 25th October. England along with Papua New Guinea will begin the long awaited tournament which was first announced by the RLIF in 2004. Moving on from the disaster tournament of 2000, in my opinion this years competition has the potential to resurrect the international game to new levels. With the development being spread across France, we have another creditable international side slowly rising from the ashes. In the Pacific isles, Rugby League has been a relatively low key affair internationally. I feel the utmost importance on this side of the world is funding the relevant governing bodies to ensure competitive international matches are played regularly between the likes on Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea. Throw in an Australian and New Zealand rep sides to ensure they are playing at a decent standard of rugby and have a mountain to climb in terms of establishing a decent standard that is a credit to the international game. The Pacific Islands were born to play Rugby League, so support from the ARL and RLIF would defiantly not go amiss.

Anyway, that’s for the future. Onto more pressing matters, and that is to see England (hopefully) lift the World Cup in Brisbane on the 22nd November. The format of this year’s competition has been heavily criticised. However, I feel it is of the utmost important to have a competitive tournament. If having a bizarre format establishes a tournament that is exciting to watch, it will draw the crowds in. If it draws the crowds in, it will be a success and therefore a saviour to the international game.

Every effort has been made to ensure fans in Australia know about the tournament. The ‘Heroes Here 08’ slogan has been branded about on every sponsorship billboard across every NRL ground. Even an advertisement on the runway of Melbourne airport has been spotted with the tagline ‘sent here for punishment’. Underneath is a picture of English scrum half, Rob Burrow. But despite the efforts by Colin Love and his merry band of organisers, Australian die hard fans are forever being the pessimists. “Who gives a f-ck?” was a quote used by Steve Mascord supplied by an NRL supporter in the latest issue of Rugby League World. So it seems the Australians don’t care. That is despite the final selling out months ago, is it? We all know Sydney-siders have this problem of attending games, but I guarantee you games in Townsville, Brisbane, Melbourne and Canberra will all have high attendances. You couldn’t spread the game better in Victoria by hosting ‘Convicts V Pommies’ in Melbourne’s Telstra Dome. Clever thinking has gone into this organisation by state governments that want it. And I say that quote with care. It seems Western Australia didn’t care when it came to hosting games in Perth. Outbid by New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland to host even one single game, it left itself with nothing. And surprisingly, a stately broadsheet has the nerve to write an article moaning about how no games were to be staged on the other side of the country. How petty. If Western Australia had invested more money into a game, I’m pretty confident they would have got one.

And onto business, as it were. Below are all ten teams with a small prediction on how they will perform on the biggest stage, the Rugby League World Cup.

Australia
They are overwhelming favourites to retain their crown, first stolen from Great Britain in 1975. They have quality all over the squad, all the way down from fullback to loose forward. Their strength in depth is so immense; it would take one hell of a performance to knock these guys from their perch. Buts that’s not to say they are invincible. No team is and I’m sure the ghosts of 2005 are still ringing their ears, as is the nature of Australian sport and its ethics.
Prediction: Easily the best in the competition and will prove it by winning the final.

England
England have never won the World Cup as ‘England.’ Only as Great Britain, has the nation that invented this great sport ever won the World Cup, which is more times than our soccer counterparts. But for thirty three years we haven’t had a sniff. Neither has any other nation for that matter, but now I feel we have a good enough side to take on the Aussies. On our day (and that’s all it takes to win a World Cup) we are capable of being the best team in the world. For England to beat Australia, we have to play them down the middle and do so convincingly. That gives the weaker backline a chance to put the sword to the green and gold backline when they are on the back foot. Taking every single chance and scraping for every metre is also important.
Prediction: Have the potential to win, but may fall short again.

Fiji
Fiji have been quiet in their preparations for this World Cup. Little has been said or written about them and no doubt this has suited them enabling them to concentrate on their first game against France during the second week of the tournament. With experienced players like Jarryd Hayne, Ashton Sims and Semi Tadulala, they can pose a threat on form. But despite this, they lack any real experience to progress further in this competition.
Prediction: May win a game, will not win the group.

France
France take with them the majority of the Catalan first team. On that basis alone, with players coming into this World Cup on the back of a very good domestic season their confidence will be sky high. If Thomas Bosc performs like he did in Super League, he alone will carry the French into the semi finals.
Prediction: Will walk all over their group opponents, but will be challenged in the semi final qualifier.

Ireland
If Group A is the “Super Group”, then group c must be the group of death. Ireland qualified by beating Russia by more points than Lebanon did in qualifying. You honestly couldn’t split the nations further apart. But unfortunately Lebanon missed out having to perform in the repechage rounds. Had they beaten Samoa in Featherstone, we may have had another thrilling match between the two nations to look forward to. As it is, Ireland are up against it anyway. The majority of the side have only played in the National Leagues this season, while others haven’t played in NRL or Super League. There are of course a few Wiganers (Pat Richards, Eamon O’Carroll) and a few NRL types (Ryan Tandy).
Prediction: God help them. If the first game doesn’t knock them for six, the second one will.

New Zealand
Write off New Zealand at your peril. Last year they toured Great Britain with a starting thirteen on the treatment table on the other side of the world. This year, their stars (minus Sonny Bill Williams) are back to their best. Benji Marshall has only played four games for New Zealand since making his international debut in 2005 against Australia. He will prove to the world what he is capable of. Keeping him fit is essential to their success in this competition. Without him, New Zealand lose half of their quality immediately. Yes, they have Grand Finalists and senior, experienced players, but they don’t show the same threatening body language that a side with Benji Marshall will have. Take out Marshall, take out New Zealand.
Prediction: England are beatable, New Zealand are capable of making the final.

Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea go into this World Cup with nothing to lose. They are under no pressure to perform as they must face the prospect of being overwhelming underdogs in every single match against England, New Zealand and Australia. The rewards of upsetting just one of their three opponents are staggeringly high, with the repercussions of losing minimal. John Wilshire must captain a side that will be limited in first grade and international experience, while at the same time be motivated enough to put on a decent show.
Prediction: Potential banana skin for any side, but a single win would make their tournament a success.

Samoa
Samoa were the tenth and final team to qualify for this tournament but they may have side to become the fourth best by the end of it. They have named a squad with only five of their players playing outside the NRL or Super League. They may have a lack of strength in depth compared to their Tongan rivals, but they make up for that in quality for their starting seventeen. Powerhouses like Ali Lauititi, Kyle Luluai and Harrison Hansen can provide the go forward so that Francis Meli and Willie Talau can capitalise from.
Prediction: Biggest test against Tonga, but should have the aim of making the semi finals.

Scotland
Scotland represent a fine split between first and second grade players. Not taking anything away from the Scots, they have it all to do if they are to get out of their group with France and Fiji. Danny Brough, who was on fine form for Wakefield this year, must take that form into the World Cup if his team have any chance of progressing. Having never won a World Cup match before his tournament, the odds are well and truly in their favour. But with this being the strongest side Scotland have put together in a long time, will the factor of probability finally kick in?
Prediction: Will do well to win a game, but won’t progress further.

Tonga
With Ireland the potential whipping boys of group c, it looks likely the winner of the Halloween bloodbath between Tonga and Samoa will top the group. But winning that match will be no easy task despite the fact Tonga possesses the likes of Fraiser Anderson, Richard Fa’aoso, Michael Jennings and Fuifui Moimoi in their ranks. I have said from the beginning of the year, the Pacific Island clash could easily be the game of the year and I honestly cannot predict what will happen in the heat of the moment. Emotions will be high and drama will be intense. Make sure you don’t miss that game.
Prediction: If they were to top the group, they won’t get past their Qualifying Semi opponents.

So overall, how will the World Cup play out? Australia will retain their crown they have hung onto for over thirty years. I believe England will be the losing finalists, but don’t be surprised to see New Zealand lose out either. France should lose out to Australia in the first semi final, and if the Aussies’ 2000 semi final is anything to go by, that should be a good game to watch. Samoa will be the team to face France before losing out in the qualifying semi, while Tonga will finish second above Ireland in Group C. Group B will see France thrash Scotland and comfortably beat Fiji, who themselves will have a game on their hands against Scotland. Meanwhile poor old Papua New Guinea will lose out every time, but as long as they don’t beat England I will happily support them in their quest to upset New Zealand and Australia.

Now bear in mind I tipped Catalan to take the League Leader’s shield home with six super League games remaining, the above could turn out very differently. Here’s to a wonderfully competitive tournament, with the only controversy and focus seen on the field with drama and excitement that will grip all Rugby League fans alike.

The End of Term Report - Part Five

Leeds were league leaders of this season's competition until round seventeen. Least you forget that when anyone says Saints were the better team by a country mile. They weren't the best team over twenty seven rounds as everyone suggested. Yes, they were the better side during the regular season, but their performances have been over-hyped.

And this was evident going into the Grand Final. Finally, I go through the two finalists of the 2008 Super League season.

Leeds
Some say that the play offs are not fair and do not award the best team in the competition with the rightful title of being champions. So what! In my opinion a championship winning side is one that is consistently good, and can perform in big games. Leeds did this during the 2008 campaign. Not once did they fall into third place from February to September and they were able to pull off wins when it counted, 4th October being a prime example. Their players haven't set the world alight like they once did many moons ago. But they have stayed near the top and did so for a long period of time. Without a doubt Leeds deserved to win the competition and did so in style, pulling off a magnificent victory againt the overwhelming favourites. The team are a credit to the city and the county on the other side of the Pennines.

St Helens
Any Saints fan would be forgiven for thinking they were still in 2007. It was a sort of deva vu when the final hooter went at Old Trafford. Saints, overwhelming favourites going into the final match of the domestic year, clinching the League Leaders Shield and Challenge Cup at Wembley. The only thing missing was a World Club Championship from last year. So where did it all go wrong for Daniel Anderson and his merry men full full of confidence going into the biggest game of the year? Simply put, Saints were outplayed over eighty minutes when it counted. When everything is gambled in one game. When an entire season rests on what you do at the theatre of dreams. Well for the past two years, its been the theatre of nightmares for St Helens, much to the amusement of Wigan, Warrington and the rest of Super League. But credit must be given where its due. They are not a championship winning side, but by God they did everything else right.

Shocking news as Wakefield player dies.

Its not very often you hear of a Rugby League player passing away. Its an extremely rare case as today's athletes are in peak physical fitness and are monitored by doctors and medical staff on a daily basis. However, there are exceptions and the passing of Adam Watene is a deeply shocking scenario.

Adam Watene, a Cook Island international captain, played for Castleford helping them gain promotion in 2005. He was signed by Bradford for the 2006 season but only played four games. Midway through that particular season he joined Wakefield scoring two tries in eighteen games. He took to the field in every game during 2007 but was limited to only a dozen games this season due to injury.

The entire Rugby League community's thoughts are with Adam's family.

PNG announce the soldiers going over the top.

The PNG twenty-four man squad looks like this;

John Wilshire, David Moore, George Keppa, Stanley Gene, Keith Peters, Charlie Wabo, Rodney Pora, George Moni , Nixon Kolo, Paul Aiton, Jessie Joe, Makali Aizue, Trevor Exton, Neville Costigan, James Nightingale, Rod Griffin, Larson Marabe, Kevin Prior, Ashton, Tu’u Maori, Menzie Yere, Chan, Nick Ubile and Sam Joe.

There are quite a few familiar names among that line up. Ex-Warrington, Leigh, Melbourne and St George Illawarra star/flop John Wilshire makes the squad along with "the oldest man in Rugby League" Stanley Gene. There is also James Nightingale who plays for Penrith and Tu'u Moari, the new Cronulla winger.

I have little doubt Papa New Guinea will have a very good attitude. But I can't help but feel they will be whipping boys for the majority of the tournament. For the sake of the tournament I hope they are very competitive. Least I remind readers (if there are any) the weight of credibility within the international game hangs on the shoulders of this tournament. If the tournament is a failure, the ARL and NZRL will be unlikely to contribute to further international competitions apart from sending a national team to Europe every year. We don't want that.

However, I wish PNG the best of luck. They will certainly need it.

England 74-0 Wales.

It wasn't really the best game every played. Said that, none of the rugby or refereeing was really up to scratch. Steve Ganson was at his very worse last night, being too erratic with the whistle denying Wales a try and giving them a penalty instead which was backed up by the video referee.

With the majority of the world cup squad playing in last week's Grand Final, only eight players who will board the plane to Australia on Monday appeared in Doncaster making the team that will line up in Townsville very different to last nights. Martin Gleeson, for example, will definatly not play at stand off. That is despite the fact he had a decent game including crossing the whitewash twice.

Credit must go to Richie Myler who didn't back down at scrum half on his international debut. He is young but a good prospect with Salford now being admitted into Super League. He also scored twice but with a bit more experience he could also be a part of the next world cup in roughly five years time.

Despite the fact fifteen players were missing, I though the 74-0 scoreline was a fairly accurate reflection on how well England can perform if they had the option of a full strength 1-17. How the team played is totally irrelivant to the preparations but the tracks are leading in the right direction.

World Cup update.

Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Scotland and Ireland all announced their final 24-man squads yesterday with France naming theirs late last month. All ten nations that will take part in this years world cup have now named their squads that will compete in Australia. All squads from BBC and Official World Cup website.

France have picked the majority of the Catalan first team squad with others coming from Lezignan, Toulouse, Carcassonne, Pia, Villeneuve as well as Eric Anselme from Leeds and Julian Rinaldi who has left Harlequins. Fiji have also snapped up a few famous faces. Jarryd Hayne has managed to secure a place in their squad, along with Ashton Sims, Semi Tadulala and an old London Broncos favourite, Nick Bradley-Qalilawa. Scotland have snapped up four NRL players and eight Super League stars including Danny Brough. Paddy Coupar is the only Scottish based player in the squad.

Brett White will wear the emerald green of Ireland as he leads Stuart Littler, Pat Richards and Micheal Platt. Ross Barbour from the Carlaw Crusaders will also be present in the squad. Samoa have George Carmont, Ali Lauititi and the wing/centre partnership of Willie Talau and Francis Meli. If you thought that was a good squad, then throw in Nigel Vagana and Matt Utai for good measure. The squad that will take on Samoa on the 31st October (believe me, it will be a bloody Halloween) is Tonga. They call upon the two Anderson brothers, Frasier and Louis with Richard Fa'aoso, Fuifui Moimoi and Michael Jennings. An early tip, miss that match at your peril. Two Pacific nations who will go toe to toe and not back down.

And in other news, Anthony Tupou has been called into the Austrlaian squad to replace Michael Crocker who suffered a broken rib in Sunday's NRL Grand Final. Tupou was due to line up for Tonga but as ever the "strict eligability rules" that are issued in Rugby League mean he can play for both nations.

As far as I'm aware Papa New Guinea are yet to announce a squad that will take on New Zealand and Australia, starting with England on the 25th October in Townsville.

Australia exclude Hunt and Hayne.

Australia named their twenty four man squad yesterday at the same time as New Zealand announced theirs.

Australia

Terry Campese (Canberra Raiders), Justin Hodges (Brisbane Broncos), Darren Lockyer (Brisbane Broncos, capt), Joel Monaghan (Canberra Raiders), Paul Gallen (Cronulla Sharks), Anthony Laffranchi (Gold Coast Titans), Scott Prince (Gold Coast Titans), Brent Kite, Josh Perry, Brett Stewart, Glenn Stewart, Anthony Watmough, David Williams (all Manly Sea Eagles), MichaelCrocker, Israel Folau, Greg Inglis, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith (all Melbourne Storm), Kurt Gidley (Newcastle Knights), Johnathan Thurston (North QLD Cowboys), Steve Price (NZ Warriors), Brent Tate (NZ Warriors), Petero Civoniceva (Penrith Panthers), Craig Fitzgibbon (Sydney Roosters).

What sticks out there, is Karmicheal Hunt and Jarryd Hayne both miss out on the twenty four. This shows an alarming strength in depth that Australian possess, especially in the back line.

Looking at the two fullbacks, Billy Slater and Brett Stewart, are both good enough to play without the squad missing the other.

Isreal Folou, Kurt Gidley, Justin Hodges, Joel Monaghan, David Williams and Brent Tate are each capable to doing the same as the fullbacks.

Terry Campese, Darren Lockyer, Scott Prince, Greg Inglis and Johnathan Thurston definitely out class anything in the English side.

Front rowers, Brent Kite, Josh Perry, Michael Crocker, Steve Price and Petero Civoniceva are beatable by the English contingent, but only at full strength. If Morley, Peacock or Graham take a knock for England, these five will walk all over the team.

And again with the back rowers, Anthony Laffranchi, Glenn Stewart, Anthony Watmough, Paul Gallen and Craig Fitzgibbon can be pegged back. But this would have to be a very bad performance by the Australian side.

So overall the back line is untouchable, but England will have to take the game to the forwards and hope Burrow and Pryce can take advantage using the backs and the momentum gained from their hard work. Australia are beatable, but doing it on the 22nd November is a different story and one England will be hoping to do.

And as for the New Zealand team, they have a trickle of quality. Players like Greg Eastwood, Jeff Lima, Steve Matai and, for once, Benji Marshall. The full squad looks like this;

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

Keeping Benji Marshall fit is easier said than done these days. If they can, he will cause problems for Australia and England. On the back of go-forward from Lima, Kidwell, Hohaia and Fa'alogo they can be as dangerous as England with a good pack.

I think England should be looking to beat this side, but not in the same vein as they did twelve months ago. This year New Zealand will be no pushovers. They have almost a fully fit squad (excluding Sonny Bill Williams) that can even challenge the Aussies to a decent game like in the 2005 Tri Nations.

It will be a toss up between NZ and England for that place at Suncorp on the 22nd of next month. But it should be a fiery occasion if that situation does arise.

England name the squad that will travel to Australia.

The England squad, announced by Tony Smith today is as follows, according to the BBC;

Keith Senior, Danny McGuire, Rob Burrow, Jamie Peacock (captain), Gareth Ellis, Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Lee Smith (all Leeds), Paul Wellens, Ade Gardner, Leon Pryce, James Graham, James Roby, Maurie Fa'asavalu, Jon Wilkin (all St Helens), Rob Purdham (Harlequins), Mark Calderwood, Mickey Higham, Gareth Hock (all Wigan), Martin Gleeson, Adrian Morley, Ben Westwood (all Warrington), Jamie Langley, Paul Sykes (both Bradford).

A total of fifteen players played in Saturday's Grand Final while the remaining nine are combined from Harlequins, Wigan, Bradford and Warrington. This, in my opinion, shows the class between the top two teams and how they are developing home-grown players.

From a Warrington point of view, its pleasing to see Ben Westwood being named on the flight down under. He has, without a shadow of a doubt been our stand out player. He has done the little things right, as well as consistently working hard every time he set foot on the field. Adrian Morley has often dragged the team forward on occasions when we were in real trouble.

Tony Smith said to the England RL website that he has gone for versatility, agility and pace.

“When you’ve only got 24 players, there needs to be a certain amount of versatility and I think we’ve got that,” he said.

“If you take five front-rowers, that’s over a fifth of your squad so that would be a gamble too.

“There are some players who play in the back row that I wouldn’t hesitate in pushing forward to the front row. There’s a gamble whichever way you go.”

And looking at it that way, I agree. An Australian summer would benifit back rowers as the grounds are much harder, therefore if we have the speed to counter a five man Australian front rower we're putting them on the back foot every time.

Looking at the squad, Rob Purdham, Jamie Langley and Paul Sykes would be looking at being in reserve and lucky to get a game. Lee Smith is the only recognised left winger, with Peter Fox and surprise exclusion. Stuart Fielden fails to make the international side for the second concsecutive year while Lee Gilmour also misses out. The exclusion of Gilmour is one that did surprise me, while Joe Westerman is reported to have a foot injury.

However I do have critisism for one player in particular. Mark Claderwood has not done enough to warrent a place. I personally would have given his position back to Peter Fox. I'm not going to repeat myself so read the earlier post here as to what I think of the Hull bound player.

So to finalise, here is what I belive to be the strongest starting seventeen that should line up against Papa New Guinea on 25th October in Townsville.

1. Paul Wellens

2. Ade Gardner

3. Martin Gleeson

4. Keith Senior

5. Lee Smith

6. Leon Pryce

7. Rob Burrow

8. Jamie Peacock

9. James Roby

10. Adrian Morley

11. Gareth Ellis

12. Jon Wilkin

13. Kevin Sinfield

14. Mickey Higham

15. James Graham

16. Jamie Jones-Buchanan

17. Gareth Hock

Manly put Melbourne to the sword - and stab them repeatedly .

The centenary domestic season came to an end on Sunday as Manly thrashed Melbourne 40-0 to become premiers for the first time since 1996. Brent Kite received the Clive Churchill medal after a domineering performance that saw Melbourne being pegged back time and time again. In my opinion, hat-trick hero Micheal Robertson should have collected it for himself. How often do you score a hat trick on Grand Final night? But there is no point in lingering over it, especially as any of the Manly seventeen could have easily done the same.

Although the scoreline didn't really reflect the story of the game, Manly were without a doubt the better side. At half time, the scoreline of 8-0 in Manly's favour and richly deserved. They battled on as a team and produced a well worked try that sent in Robertson for his first of the game. But as Phil Gould said on the Channel Nine telecast, the intensity in that first forty was little short of Origin standard. And it was brutal, but fair.

Specail mention is Irael Folou who was the Storm's only player who stood out. He was able to burst past Steve Matai twice in the game which Melbourne, on any other day, would have capitalised and scored. Not on Sunday. Not when Manly were as good as they were.

Matt Orford was worthy of a test jersey. As was Brett Stewart, David Williams, Glenn Stewart and Matt Ballin.

I feel for the person or people who will have to hand either Billy Slater or Brett Stewart that number one shirt. I believe it should go to Stewart, although thats not to say Slater didn't try. Slater himself had a pretty consistent game, but Stewart really did step up a gear. Twice he threw obscure passes that went straight to hand to give Robertson his first from between the legs of stewart, and a back-door pass to send Williams in with roughly ten minutes remaining.

So another season over for the NRL. And as ever, it hasn't lacked drama, works of genius and a little bit of magic.

You don't need an unbeaten run to be the champions.

I won't sulk over the fact I lost £5 betting that saints will win on Saturday. I won't defend myself for going over the top and saying Saints will put eighteen points past Leeds. But what I will say is that you cannot turn up to Old Trafford expecting to win just because you step on the pitch.

Saints did that on Saturday, and it cost them dear. They were outplayed by Leeds who let nothing get them down. A Saints try was immediately replied to. A few lucky bounces of the ball went Leeds' way as well as the character of the seventeen amber and blue players that was second to none all benefited the Yorkshire club. Saints - the best club in the competition? Don't make me laugh.
Championship winning sides don't gift their opponents easy ball possession, especially in their own half. What was Francis Meli thinking when he let that 40/20 find touch? Leeds killed off any Saints revival when they scored from that. Also a few individuals failed to perform, putting their England selection in doubt. I failed to see Leon Pryce all game, he simply let Long do all the hard work. James Graham, while he didn't have the worst of games, showed he is mortal being outplayed by Peacock.

Personally, I though the Saints game plan was all wrong. After listening to the team line up after placing another bet for Matt Gidley to be first try scorer (?) it was clear Leeds had shafted the inexperienced Hall and Ablett on the right wing. In my opinion, Meli and Talau should have took advantage, as Gardner and Gidley would have their hands full with Senior and Donald. As it was, they didn't and both Hall and Ablett had reasonable games with Hall scoring in the corner for Leed's other first half try.

Leeds didn't do anything special. There was no dramas, pieces of magic and no work of genius in attack. Simply, Leeds stuck to a simple game plan. The odd inside ball here, suck a defender in there and put the support player into the gap. Not tricky. Saints managed that only a few times and only scored off it once, which was in the first five minutes with Graham crossing under the posts.

As for a Leeds counter attack, Lee Smith, wheather you think he should be on the pitch or not (ie, not) he was the warrior that led it. A real contender for that left wing spot, I think he has edged Peter Fox for that number five jersey in England's first game. I also think Tony Smith may have a selection headache over the number six shirt as well. Danny McGuire performed his one game of the year, but he didn't half make an impact when he did it.

Saints may have gone twenty four games unbeaten, and many say they were the best side in the competition, but the same many are also forgetting Leeds' early season form. In fact, Leeds never left the top two all year. Are you sure Saints are the best side in the competition after twenty seven rounds? Yes, they won the League Leaders Shield, but by one point. So if anyone says Leeds don't deserve to win Super League XIII after a play off series, ignore them. Leeds have been consistantly at a high standard all year, wheras Saints had a poor beginning to the season. After ten rounds they wern't even in a play off spot. Its a long season, and I personally think their contribution to the competition was overhyped. Leon Pryce came out during the week leading up to the match and said the rest of the compatition is not at a high enough standard to compete with Saints. Leeds are now Super League champions for the second year running.

The moral, Leon, is to never underestimate a side that lead the competition for twenty consecutive rounds. No matter where they finished afterwards.

Which brings me onto Brian McClennan. This guy is an outstanding coach and gets the best out of his players on the day. The lucky few that witnessed New Zealand thrash Australia in Leeds on the 26th Novermber 2005 know he can pull the rabbit out of the hat when it matters. Which at the end of the day, is all that matters in Rugby League. Twenty four consecutive wins does not guarentee you championship success.

Not in this sport it doesn't.

NRL Grand Final.

There is more at stake than just a trophy for Billy Slater of Melbourne and Brett Stewart of Manly. Both players have been instrumental in getting their sides to the Grand Final on Sunday and now one must be ranked higher than the other with the best performer getting to wear that Australian jersey in Sydney on 26th October against New Zealand.

Quite often, selectors have chosen the more experienced player at international level, often believing that if they've done it once before then they can do it again. But in this case both players have been inseparable in terms of playing ability. Both can score tries, both can save tries and both have stood out time and time again.

However, the grand final does not rely on one man to win it for a club. It takes seventeen players each pulling their weight. Many seem to be in form at the moment with Matt Orford running the show. The Dally M winner hasn't let anything get in his way all year and is so influential to the Manly side. On top of that, Steve Menzies will say goodbye to the NRL after this game and will join Bradford for 2009. Hes a player who is as experienced as he is quality. Beating the club record, contraversially, for Manly most number of tries scored in a career last season, he will also hold the joint record for the number of apperances at first grade if he walks out onto the pitch on Sunday.

It will be a match that will be brutal, emotional and will provide plenty of drama. And will also give Manly another taste of success after twelve years waiting.

Super League XIII Grand Final.

St Helens and Leeds will contest the most important game of the domestic season at Old Trafford on Saturday. Saints will go into the game overwhelming favourites after their comfortable thrashing over Leeds in the qualifying semi two weeks ago at the GPW Recruitment Stadium. In that match Saints dominated every area of the game. They were the better at going forward, they were better with ball in hand and their kicking game was second to none.

However, Leeds will know that it is the Grand Final match that counts. They go into this game as defending champions after a shocking win over St Helens twelve months ago that left the Saints players, coaching staff and fans bewildered. With that thought in the back of their minds, I can only see a Saints victory on Saturday.

There are also other factors that swing it Saints' way. This game will be Daniel Anderson's last in charge of the Merseyside club as he heads back home to Australia. And if that wasn't enough motivation, the thought of last years defeat will no doubt spur them on.

Leeds go into this game on the back of a tight and entertaining game against Wigan. As a team, Leeds were the better side, however certain individuals failed to show for Wigan. Taking nothing away from Leeds or Wigan, but looking at Leeds' past two results shows the gap between Saints and the rest of Super League.

The players to watch on Saturday are without a doubt James Graham and Jamie Peacock. It could be a case of the apprentice beating the master. Graham, the newly crowned Man of Steel winner, is on top form and a dead certainty for going to the world cup. Peacock, as England captain, has a reputation to prove. Both players I respect enormously and appreciate the hard work they put in time and time again. But this is one battle within a war I cannot wait to see unfold.

So who will win? St Helens. By how many? I'd say by about eighteen, although the game will not swing further than twelve points in either direction until the final ten minutes where the side who concedes late on will lose out mentally.