The side to play the NZ team this week;

1 Darren Lockyer
2 Anthony Minichiello
3 Shannon Hegarty
4 Michael De Vere
5 Matt Sing
6 Craig Wing
7 Brett Kimmorley
8 Shane Webcke
9 Danny Buderus
10 Robbie Kearns
11 Steve Simpson
12 Craig Fitzgibbon
13 Luke Ricketson

Bench:
14 Willie Mason
15 Richard Villasanti
16 Phil Bailey
17 Craig Gower

Now Penrith won a grand final this year didn't they? I could have sworn it was them who beat the roosters. They have one man mentioned in the 17, on the bench, This man just happened to be the best player and the best halfback this season. SO WHY THE HELL IS HE ON THE BENCH. Is Anderson a complete idiot he is already in hot water with his coaching job at the Sharks and everyone wants him to leave the Aussie job, but putting Kimo over Gower is plain ridiculous even the fact that Gower didn't get a run on spot is absurd.

I would just like to say that I will gladly finish off Ando if the price is right.

Well, I can't say that I'd have named any of the other Panthers for this test. New Zealand won't be showing us any mercy, and the likes of Lewis, Waterhouse, and Clinton would be out of place.

That said, Gower should have halfback ahead of Kimmo. If it wasn't for Ando, Kimmo wouldn't even get a look in. A joke, but I want New Zealand to hammer us so there's an excuse to fire the old cunt.

Chris

I think they just have to look at Andos relationship with his club at the moment to realise that he isn't capable of coaching at the top level especially seeing as he can't keep it together at club level. DEATH TO HIM

Personally I cant see NZ getting within 30 points of Australia even with the b side playing and heres why
1: Motu Tony (hasn't cemented a first grade spot for alot of this year Lockyer and minichello will run rings around him)
2: Henry Fa’afili (a very off and on player can be one of the best if he is focused, where's Utai?)
3: Vinnie Anderson (much the same as Fa'afili can be dangerous when he's focused)
4: Clinton Toopi (a very dangerous player deceptively strong, one small problem could be his speed off the mark)
5: Francis Meli (This guy has it all speed, strength and decent ball skills could be a game breaker)
6: Nigel Vagana (I dont know about this, has the makings of a great 5/8 but he tends to get caught out of position ALOT)
7: Thomas Leuluai (the main difference in this game is the halves kimmorley, wing and gower have all been here before, with that experience and kimmorley and gowers ability to command the troops will see them all over this guy)
8: Nathan Cayless (I'm not a big fan, I think he has a touch of Robbie Kearns syndrome can be devastating but doesnt do it often enough)
9: Monty Betham (Why is this guy in the team he's slow, tires easily and doesnt know how to bend his back in a tackle, will give away alot of penalties)
10: Jason Cayless (I would of had Seu-Seu on first for the melee period and brought this guy on as a strike weapon, he knows how to cart the ball up and definitely knows how to tackle)
11: Tony Puletua (first of the hair bears, if stacey jones was playing I would say watch him for the short balls, unforunately I dont think leuluai has the timing to utilise him properly)
12: Joe Galuvao (second of the hair bears and one of my favourites, big Joe will be in there hammering the Australian forwards all night and wont back down carting it up, this is where I think New Zealand have a huge advantage the back rowers are just too big, too strong)
13: Ruben Wiki © (Personally I think this is one of the best kiwis to play the game has it all speed, strength, and stamina, will go all night)

Interchange bench;

14: Awen Guttenbeil (Not a big fan but he can be dangerous with his offloading)
15: Jerry Seuseu (this guy really pisses me off, has the ability to be one of the best props in the world but just has no stamina at all, might play twenty minutes)
16: Ali Lauiti’iti (hasn't had a good year since his return, but hopefully can recapture the form that made him the best second rower in the game)
17: Sione Faumuina (has the ability to play anywhere on the field but just lacks the playmaking skills to be one of the halves)

So to finish off the only place I can see New Zealand stronger then aussies is the backrow, I think the props are just about even until villasanti gets on (I cant wait for that), everywhere else australia just has to much experience.
If Jones was playing I'd say it would be close, without him they will have no structure and will play some vintage Auckland warriors football.
As I've said before if new zealand and england had two quality halves each Australia wouldnt be so dominant, as stands now NZ has a world class half back and england has a world class 5/8.

I think their backline and forward pack shits on ours. With the exception of Webcke and Villasanti, we have no forward strength- and our backs are mostly second or third string. Only Sing and Girdler would make a full strength side, maybe Mini, but I'd say loyalty to Tahu would have ruled him out.

As for England, you've got to be dreaming to think they have no good halves. Sean Long is world class, but he hasn't had a chance to play Australia in ages. He's always out injured. And their second string, Paul Deacon, is infinitely better than Kimmorley as well. But Long, he's the danger man, his short kicking game is better than anyone I've seen in the NRL.

If Long is on the field in the series, Australia will be in serious trouble.

Tomas Leullai, incidentally, could be a world class five eighth given time. If Benji Marshal wasn't another of those 'I'd rather play for Australia because they keep winning' people and stuck with his heritage, they'd already have a good five eighth.

Chris

thats gay, steve simpson got in the side :MAD:

Deserves it more than Coleslaw and Fridge 'n' the Freezer. Both played for a side who didn't even deserve the thrashing they got from Penrith. There are too many Broncos in the squad given how shit they all were this year.

Chris

We had one of the best NRL seasons and State of Origin Series' ever.

Yet we get one of the worst teams we have ever had.

Phil Bailey should not even be smelling an Aussie jersey!!!!!!!!

Smelling jerseys? From what I heard he's been sniffing Ando's panties to get a run....

Chris

I have to disagree with Long, the games I've seen him play have been very scrappy for the saints I would call him a good player but he doesnt have the organisational skills of a johns or jones, but probably in his defence with a player like sculthorpe next to him he probably gets overshadowed alot of the time.