What: 2014 Four Nations opener
Who: Australia v New Zealand
When: Saturday, October 25 – 7.30pm (AEDT)
Where: Suncorp Stadium
I Can Watch It On: Channel Nine
What happened last time?
The Kangaroos overcame a slow start to extend their winning run over the Kiwis to eight Tests with a 30-18 win in the Anzac Test at Allianz Stadium on Friday, May 2.
Things You Need To Know:
Australia are missing an entire team of players including Dally M medallist Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater (shoulder), Darius Boyd (depression), Brett Morris (shoulder), Matt Scott (shoulder), Nate Myles (biceps), Paul Gallen (drugs ban) and James Tamou (neck). NFL hopeful Jarryd Hayne, Justin Hodges, Josh Dugan, Trent Merrin, Will Hopoate and Andrew Fifita are also unavailable for various personal reasons. Five debutants – Aidan Guerra, Daniel Tupou, Aaron Woods, Dylan Walker and Josh Mansour – have been named in Tim Sheens' squad for their Four Nations opener. Only six players - Greg Bird, Daly Cherry-Evans, Cooper Cronk, Greg Inglis, Corey Parker and skipper Cameron Smith are backing up from the Anzac Test.
New Zealand are boosted by the inclusion of gun Cowboys forward Jason Taumalolo, who will make his Test debut. Five-eighth Kieran Foran returns after missing the Anzac Test to join Shaun Johnson in a formidable halves combination. Penrith youngster Dallin Watene-Zelezniak was also named but has since been ruled out with a broken foot. Gerard Beale is expected to replace DWZ on the wing. Penrith utility Lewis Brown is back in the Kiwi side after a three-year absence.
Reason To Watch:
To see how this new-look Kangaroos team goes. Some of the veterans are still playing but Saturday night is very much a preview to the future for Kangaroos fans. For Kiwis fans, you might just see you team score their first rugby league victory over Australia in four years.
Reason To Turn Away:
There isn't one. The footy's on and it's late October. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Say What:
"Obviously the senior players in the squad are not going to be here forever. There comes a time when the new blood comes in and gets a taste of it. This is that moment and they’ve been picked because they’ve been playing great footy at club level all year," – NSW hooker Robbie Farah on the changing of the guard within the Kangaroos squad.
"I feel like this group has a good balance about it and we've certainly trained very well over the last couple of days, so you can feel the combinations starting to come together," Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney is feeling quietly confident heading in.
Final Word:
The Kangaroos have won the last eight trans Tasman meetings including a 30-18 victory in this year's Anzac Test. But only six players who wore the Kangaroos strip that night will be in action. The bookies are tipping a comfortable win for Australia and we're also sticking with the hosts despite their injury toll, but it'll be a close one. Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk are still there to lead the side around the park along with Daly Cherry-Evans. Greg Inglis is playing full-back and has a major point to prove and could be the difference between the two sides. Kangaroos by eight.
Luxbet Odds:
Australia - $1.26
New Zealand - $4.00
Teams:
Australia: 1. Greg Inglis, 2. Josh Mansour, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Dylan Walker, 5. Daniel Tupou, 6. Daly Cherry-Evans, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Aaron Woods, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. Sam Thaiday, 11. Beau Scott, 12. Ryan Hoffman, 13. Greg Bird.
Interchange: 14. Robbie Farah, 15. Aidan Guerra, 16. Josh Papalii, 17. Corey Parker, 18. Boyd Cordner, 19. David Klemmer, 20. Sione Mata'utia (three to be omitted).
New Zealand: 1-Peta Hiku, 2-Jason Nightingale, 3-Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 4-Dean Whare, 5-Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 6-Kieran Foran, 7-Shaun Johnson, 8-Jesse Bromwich, 9-Thomas Leuluai, 10-Adam Blair, 11-Simon Mannering (captain), 12-Kevin Proctor, 13-Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14-Lewis Brown, 15-Greg Eastwood, 16-Martin Taupau, 17-Tohu Harris, 18-Suaia Matagi (one to be omitted).
Four Nations match preview and teams: Australia v New Zealand
