International Rugby League – ANZAC Test Preview
Who
Australian Kangaroos v New Zealand Kiwis
Where
Suncorp Stadium
When
Friday, 7.45pm (Australian Eastern Time)
Odds
Australia – $1.44
New Zealand – $2.87
Form
Most recently, the Kiwis enjoyed narrow wins over Australia in their past two meetings during last years Four Nations. The wins came against severely weakened opponents so we’re taking the recent form with an almighty grain of salt.
Despite turning Suncorp in to an overseas fortress, winning four of their past five there (including one against England), New Zealand have won just one-from-15 Anzac Tests since the annual clash’s inception.
Teams
Australia: 1 Greg Inglis (Rabbitohs) 2 Alex Johnston (Rabbitohs) 3 Michael Jennings (Roosters) 4 Will Chambers (Storm) 5 Josh Dugan (Dragons) 6 Jonathan Thurston (Cowboys) 7 Cooper Cronk (Storm) 8 Matthew Scott (Cowboys) 9 Cameron Smith (Storm) 10 Aaron Woods (Wests Tigers) 11 Greg Bird (Titans) 12 Sam Thaiday (Broncos) 13 Corey Parker (Broncos).
Interchange: 14 Luke Lewis (Sharks) 15 Trent Merrin (Dragons) 16 Nate Myles (Titans) 17 James Tamou (Cowboys) 18th man: Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles) 19th man: Josh Papalii (Raiders).
New Zealand: 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2 Jason Nightingale, 3 Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 4 Peta Hiku, 5 Manu Vatuvei, 6 Kieran Foren, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 Jesse Bromwich, 9 Issac Luke, 10 Ben Matulino, 11 Tohu Harris, 12 Kevin Proctor, 13 Simon Mannering (c).
Interchange: 14 Thomas Leuluai, 15 Martin Taupau, 16 Sam Moa, 17 Greg Eastwood, 18 Lewis Brown.
Preview
History is New Zealand’s enemy tonight.
The Kiwis, who have a tendency to score first before badly running out of steam, are looking to overcome 13 straight ANZAC test match defeats, and will need to call upon every inch of NRL form that exists within their squad.
The New Zealand underdogs have belief after last years Four Nations, but injuries to key personnel including Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Kieran Foran, and Jason Nightingale may have curtailed any momentum garnered from last seasons tournament win. Instead they will rely on form front rower Jesse Bromwich and the electric footed Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to inspire an upset that would leave a lot of punters upset.
Tim Sheen’s Australian squad are bolstered by several names who missed last years Four Nations finale, in addition to bright prospects Alex Johnston and Will Chambers. Greg Inglis gets a chance to play his preferred fullback position after Billy Slater was ruled out through injury, and that in itself is a reason to tune in tonight.
Other mouth watering prospects include Cronk v Johnson, Scott and Woods v Matulino and Bromwich, Luke v Smith.
Prediction
Australia’s stranglehold over the annual fixture looks set to continue in tonight’s 2015 edition (also the 100th anniversary of the first major contribution of ANZAC troops in the First World War). Despite the Kiwi’s Four Nations win (including the back to back wins) the Australians have too much quality on paper and are traditionally to fit for their trans-Tasman rivals in the early season figure. We’re predicting the Kangaroos to pull away in the final quarter to win by 14.
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Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
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Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
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