The shock of Jarryd Hayne’s ambitious move to NFL has been the only Rugby League talking point over the past few weeks (aside from a great piece I read on Foxsports about what NRL players get up to in the off-season – it’s mainly partying in Vegas and Cancu by the way), but all that’s about to change with the start of the Four Nations on Saturday night.
All four teams are in action when the tournament kicks off with a double header in Brisbane. Teams include: the dominant but injury hit Australians, the forever bridesmaid Kiwi’s, the warm beer preferring English, and Samoa – who we’ll see if they can fight as well on the rugby field as they can in nightclubs.
The Four Nations tournament probably sits below the World Cup in terms of importance to Rugby League and this year has seen a number of NRL clubs withdraw players who they feel are fatigued or at risk of further injury during the tournament. The withdrawals prove that the financial rewards of representing your country in a one-off tournament are far inferior to the riches of the NRL salary cap, which may see an increase in club v country tensions in future years.
The tournament won’t be without stars though, as the remaining cream of the Rugby League crop contribute to an intriguing spectacle.
The Teams (As They Line Up For Week 1)
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).
Australia have an entire team injured in Thurston, Morris, Slater, Boyd, Scott, Tamou, Justin Hodges. Yet, in naming 11 debutants in their squad, they still appear to be the strongest team on paper. Australia has not lost a Test since the 2010 Four Nations final. It will take a monumental effort from the other three to get close, but the Four Nations opener at Suncorp is probably the best chance.
New Zealand: 1-Peta Hiku, 2-Jason Nightingale, 3-Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 4-Dean Whare, 5-Gerard Beale, 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).
Injuries have also hampered NZ’s build up. Waerea-Hargreaves, Moa, Matulino, Hurrell, Tuivasa-Sheck and McKendry have all been scratched, and Issac Luke is still suspended. The Kiwis haven’t beaten Australia in their last eight match-ups so will need to rely heavily on Jesse Bromwich and Jason Taumalolo to challenge the Australian forwards and go some way to reverse the recent trend. The interchange made up of only forwards suggests NZ would prefer the game to be played in the middle of the park and clearly see their strength in and around the ruck which is curious with Issac Luke’s absence.
England: 1. Sam Tomkins, 2. Josh Charnley, 3. Kallum Watkins, 4. Michael Shenton, 5. Ryan Hall, 6. Gareth Widdop, 7. Matty Smith, 8. George Burgess, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. James Graham (c), 11. Liam Farrell, 12. Joel Tomkins, 13. Joe Westerman.
Interchange: 14. Darryl Clark, 15. Brett Ferres, 16. Tom Burgess, 17. Chris Hill.
James Graham had a taste of captaincy in the NRL final and now gets to lead his countryman into an exciting battle against Samoa first up. Regular captain Sean O’Loughlin may return at some point during the Four Nations, but until then Graham and a host of other NRL stars are tasked with putting the loss of Sam Burgess to rugby at the back of Rugby League fan’s minds. NRL regulars including Sam Tomkins, The Burgess Twins, and Gareth Widdop are all included in a team that could upset weakened opponents in the Four Nations. They’ll need to see off the spirited Samoa side first that is equally packed with NRL talent.
Samoa: 1.Tim Simona 2. Antonio Winterstein 3. Ricky Leutele 4. Joey Leilua 5. Daniel Vidot 6. Ben Roberts 7. Kyle Stanley 8. Sam Tagaetese 9. Michael Sio 10. David Fa’alogo 11. Frank Pritchard 12. Leeson Ah Mau 13. Josh McGuire
Interchange: 14. Pita Godinet 15. Jesse Sene-Lefao 16. Isaac Liu 17. Mose Masoe 18. Dunamis Lui.
NRL fans will recognise most of the names in the Samoan squad. The powerhouse island nation will have plenty of support as the overwhelming underdogs, however they have given themselves the worst possible preparation thanks to a late night brawl culminating in the loss of three key players. The main concern for the talented side will ne in the halves. Ben Roberts and Kyle Stanley are polarising players who can influence games but can also produce errors. The loss of Tim Lafai is a bitter blow.
The Format
The Four Nations will run over four weeks. Each team will play each other once in the pool rounds with the top two nations contesting the final at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on November the 15th.
The Predictions
Winner – Australia – $1.35 – Luxbet
Outside Pick – Samoa v England Round 1 – Samoa $5 – Topbetta
To Score a Try Round 1 – NZ v Aus – Jason Taumalolo – $6 – Unibet
Top Tryscorer Four Nations – Josh Mansour $6.5 – bet365
