New Zealand Squad - No Matai

[DVS Matt]

Roy Asotasi (South Sydney, capt), Brent Webb (Leeds), Sam Perrett (Sydney Roosters), Jason Nightingale (St George Illawarra), Setaimata Sa (Sydney Roosters), Iosia Soliola (Sydney Roosters), Ben Roberts (Bulldogs), Lance Hohaia (NZ Warriors), Thomas Leuluai (Wigan), Simon Mannering (NZ Warriors), Sonny Bill Williams (Bulldogs), Jeremy Smith (Melbourne), David Fa'alogo (South Sydney), Frank Pritchard (Penrith), David Kidwell (South Sydney), Dene Halatau (Wests Tigers), Adam Blair (Melbourne), Nathan Cayless (Parramatta), Issac Luke (South Sydney)

 

[Berkeley_Eagle]

Im sorta glad he isn't named , Manly need him fully fit

 

[DVS Matt]

this will be a cricket score if the halves are Leuluai and Smith

 

[Fro]

Isnt that Jeremy Smith the forward?

 

[SilentBob]

Leuluai/Roberts should be the halves.

They're pretty light on in quality centres, surprised Matai isn't there, maybe they weren't happy with his send off last year.

 

[DSM5]

Excellent, keep him home and unhurt.

 

[Ryan]

If I were a selector - and had all players available, my team would be:-

01. Brent Webb
02. Shontayne Hape
03. Steve Matai
04. Krisnan Inu
05. Manu Vatuvei
06. Benji Marshall
07. Eddie Paea
08. Roy Asotasi
09. Isaac Luke
10. Frank Pritchard
11. David Kidwell
12. David Fa'alogo
13. Sonny-Bill Williams

14. Dene Halatau
15. David Solomona
16. Adam Blair
17. Simon Mannering

Until they can post a team like this, they just won't be competative. They also have no 1/2 back, but Paea could be the closest thing to "potential" as they have.

 

[PONTIAN SEA EAGLE]

Doesn't suprise me he wasn't picked he's just come back.

 

[Kiwi Eagle]

Yeah, Roberts and Leuluai will be in the halves

Mid year tests are always Australian benefits and i don't really see this one being too different.

Is a bit of attack in the side in the form of SBW, Pritchard and Luke but can't see the young backline being able to hold out for too long

Ryan, your side looks ok, but remove Solomona, he is Samoa now, put Pritchard into the 2nd row in place of Kidwell, he is past it imo but maybe on the bench, and start Jason Cayless in the front row

 

[SilentBob]

There's some hope in the halves for NZ with the Foran brothers.

 

[Si]

They probably didn't pick him because they still want to have a full team at the end of the game.

Either that, or they couldn't afford to employ an extra trainer to follow him around all game tending to a different injury every 5 minutes.

 

[Dan]

Just goes to show how "good" Matai is huh

 

[The Wheel]

It is amazing how we have had our best two wins fo the season since his return from injury or am I imagining it?

 

[Ryan]

Your imagining it mate. We beat NZ 52-6

 

[Dan]

Wheel has Matai got photo's of you?

You could equally say, that Watmough has been out for the last game and that is why we have had our best wins.

 

[Nutzcraw]

What a pack on nevilles.

Australia by as many as you like.

 

[The Wheel]

Wheel has Matai got photo's of you?

You could equally say, that Watmough has been out for the last game and that is why we have had our best wins.

Hadn't thought of that you make a good point, choc does hogged the ball consistantly, can't pass to save himself when he doesnt hogg it, gives away penalties, drops the ball at crcuial times, needs treatment from a trainer a couple of times a game, always misses the odd tackle......

Who can forget his game in the GF last year?

But ho hum the herd loves the choc  😛 😱

 

[Dan]

Personally I agree. But his mistakes (barring the grandfnal) are often less dangerous

 

[clontaago]

Dan everything is running perfectly for me today, work server must have been having issues yesterday.

 

[Dan]

good to hear Doug.