Rugby: Australia v New Zealand

The Australian Rugby League team has been picked on reputation as well as some fans feel on Political grounds.Alot of fans arent happy with Karmichael at Fullback when they feel either Matty Bowen or Greg Inglis should be there-Anthony Minichello and Billy Slater are injured or why In form Centre Justin Hodges has been overlooked for Mark Gasnier and matt Cooper who have had quiet starts to the season

Also why players having average starts to the season like Matt Gasnier and Matt Cooper are at centre infront of in form Centres like Justin Hodges. Karmichael Hunt also eligible to play for New Zealand but turned them down-adding extra spice to the game. With Teenage Wonderkids Benji Marshall and Sonny Bill Williams back from injury and adding to a strong New Zealand Australia are facing a second defeat in a row by the Kiwis. For the past 40 years Australia have dominated on the International Scene but with the Kiwis as well as the English finally getting on equal terms the Australians are no longer unbeatable or even feared. With both Nations Halfbacks having come back recently from injury and so question marks will be asked how fit they are-both are unlikely to last 80 Minutes.

The teams for the game in Brisbane on Friday 5th May are
Australia
Fullback Hunt (Brisbane)
Winger King (Melbourne)
Centre Gasnier (St.George)
Centre Cooper (St.George)
Winger Tahu (Parramatta)
5/8 Lockyer (brisbane)
Half Back Johns (Newcastle)
Prop Civoniceva (Brisbane)
Hooker Buderus (Newcastle)
Prop Mason (Canterbury)
Back Row Hindmarsh (Parramatta)
Back Row O Donnell (North Queensland)
Lock Kennedy (Manly)

Subs
Thurston (North Queensland)
O Meley (Canterbury)
Menzies (Manly)
Simpson (Newcastle)


New Zealand
Webb (NZ Warriors)
Webster (Melbourne)
Tupou (Brisbane)
Toopi (NZ Warriors)
Matai (Manly)
Whatuira (Wests)
Vagana (Cronulla)
Marshall (Wests)
Leuluai (Harlequins RLFC)
SB Williams (Canterbury)
Wiki (NZ Warriors)
Asotasi (Canterbury)
Jason Cayless (St.Helens)
Nathan Cayless (Parramatta)
Faalogo (South Sydney)
Faiumu (North Queensland)
Kidwell (Melbourne)
Pritchard (Penrith)
Puletua (Penrith)
Anderson (NZ Warriors)

Australia 50 New Zealand 12

Australia made the Kiwis pay for the hammering the Kiwis gave them in the Tri nations final last year. With Andrew johns at the heart of everything on his last International appearance, Australia had too much Skill,Pace and Power for a New Zealand side missing the legendary Stacey Joney as well as Centre Shontayne Hape and Winger Lesley Vainikolo, Prop Paul Rauhihi and Back Rower Vinny Anderson. The Kiwis put some big hits in which included one on Karmichael Hunt which saw him leave the field on a Strecher concussed due to the force of the tackle! It was 14-6 at half time but Sadly the Kiwis tired late on and The Kangeroos took full advantage in front of the 45.000 crowd in Brisbane- the biggest crowd for an Australia v New Zealand Rugby League game since 1963. New Zealand will be looking to learn the lessons from this and rebuild when they face Great Britain in the Summer at St. Helens, England and then later in the year with Tri Nations in Australasia. Also hoping some of the injured Kiwis will be back in force.

Australia start life without Andrew Johns as he now retires from International footy and whoever replaces Johns has a massive job to do as seen in the game today! With also Ben Kennedy retiring Australia have to rebuild and will be interesting how they go on in the Tri Nations in November

Australia 50
Tries: Cooper, Buderus, Lockyer (2), Tahu (2), Hindmarsh, Gasnier
Goals:Johns 8 from 9 and Ben Kennedy 1 from 1

New Zealand 12
Tries: Kidwell, Williams
Goals: Webb (2)

MoM: Andrew Johns (Australia)