Anderson compares current side to 82 and 86 sides

[JJ]

Kangaroos line up mission impossible
By Steve Mascord in Manchester
November 21, 2003

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Captain Darren Lockyer. Photo: Getty Images

Australia coach Chris Anderson believes his side deserves to be rated alongside the 1982 Invincibles and the 1986 Unbeatables if they can complete a clean sweep by winning the third Test against Great Britain on Saturday night.

But what moniker should the history books give a team missing as many as 19 topliners that nonetheless went on to beat Britain 3-0 in a series for the first time in 17 years? "The Impossibles", Anderson chuckled after naming his team for the tour swan song at Huddersfield's McAlpine Stadium.

Sydney Rooster Michael Crocker has been named at five-eighth in place of the injured Craig Gower, with a man who would certainly have rated himself an "Impossible" only two weeks ago - St Helens utility Darren Smith, 34 - taking Crocker's place on the bench.

After a relaxed three days to start the last week of a long season for the squad, the Roos trained twice on Wednesday, with a place in history clearly on their minds. "To be the first to do it since '86 would be a huge rap for the side, considering the attitude of some people when we first came over here," Anderson said. "We'll certainly be having a shot at it."

Of Crocker's selection, Anderson said: "We went for what we thought was our strongest side and we wanted to make as little interruption to the team as we could. He's been a good player for us when he's come on, Crock, so we thought we'd start with him."

The Queensland Origin star said his exploits so far on tour had done much to ease the pain of the Roosters' grand final loss to Penrith. He said he didn't take seriously reports he would fill the pivot role this weekend. "It's a bit of a shock but it should be a bit of fun, I think," he said. "To get a start is good for me because I don't like sitting on the bench and getting cold.

"We want to win 3-0. I think it would be a great testimony to us and the commitment we've shown since we got here. We came under a bit of criticism at the start. To win the series is special, but to walk away 3-0 is going to be tremendous for us."

Smith has a unique place in the 95-year annals of Kangaroo tours - he will be the first British-based player to be called up. Others to have been overlooked include all-time greats Brian Bevan and Harry Bath.

"We've had three injuries to centres since we've been over here," Anderson said. "He's got an opportunity. He can cover anywhere from back row to centre."

Smith, who will be playing his last game as a full-time professional before returning to his junior club, Brisbane Easts, said: "It's unbelievable, very exciting stuff. I got called up and knew my chances were a long shot but you just want to be part of it. This mightn't be my last game - I might be able to represent Australia from the local Brisbane comp!"

Australia's vice-captain, Robbie Kearns, has not completely ruled out continuing his representative career next year, although the prop did say Saturday's game would "more than likely" be his final Test.

"I've got two years to run at Melbourne," he explained. "The second year is an option, and if I play well next year, they'll continue to have me down there. I really want to play good football next year. I don't want to finish on a low.

"Origin took a lot out of me this year . . . There's too many good young props around now to hold back. Me sticking around will probably do someone else an injustice. I'm 31 now. I've had a good day in the sun with the football."

Great Britain have adopted a conservative approach in selecting their team, with Wakefield centre or back-rower Gareth Ellis the only debutant. He represented England in this year's World Sevens.

Mike Forshaw, who has announced his retirement from international football, returns to lock, forcing Andy Farrell back up into the second row. Adrian Morley returns to prop.

Due to injury, there are two new centres: Bradford's Lee Gilmour and St Helens' Martin Gleeson.

Anderson has been off his medication for too long - someone restrain him.

And what's Mascord doing describing Crocker as an origin star??? How many games has he played? I recall him being awful at hooker - not his fault he was picked there - now he's a 5/8!! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Mr Angry]

Well the best one I saw was the unreasonables. ;-)

 

[The Colonel]

Compare the strength of the English sides of 1982 and 1986 and Ando would be again talking out his a**e. 1982 was definitely the stronger of all three and this years probably ranks behind the 86 side as well 1994.

 

[PB]

Did someone mention to Mr Anderson that the 82 and 86 sides played just a few more games than this one.......LIKE ABOUT 20 MORE!!

 

[Fampa]

WTF?!?

I think I've just choked on my wheaties.

Considering Anderson was the one who tried to instill, or at least remind players, of the great history of the Australian Kangaroos, he has done very little to respect that history. Let's face it, post SL, we still have a long way to go to recapture that sense of occassion for a test series.

Channel 9s coverage, in the face of 7s RWC covergae no less, speaks volumes of the attitude towards the current Roo tours. In 94 Ch 9 had the entire commentary crew over in the UK following the tourists around. Each night on the news there would be a cross to a reporter covering the movements of the team. FFS there was even magazines printed just to cover the tour. I'd even be interested to see the number on the supporters tours compared to previously.

This year? Nothing, zero, sip. We are entertained by the sight of Andrew Johns who has, or what appears to have been, rudely awoken from his sleep.

Lets face it, the Kangaroos can't just hold a hit and run tour, and expect it to be considered the same sort of tour as those that went before it.

 

[Bobby DIGital]

OMG I cant even read the whole article, without posting in disgust. What a deadset wanker Chris Anderson is. Its so obvious he's trying to keep his job by bringing attention to this team of nevilles. They were beaten by NZ, and pusehd to the limit by England A. They beat 12 men in the first test, and Mander gave them a free ride in the second test. The 90 & 94 teams shit all over this squad. They've played what? 7, 8 games.

all you can do when Chris Anderson's name is mentioned next to anything these days is,... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[sunny]

1982 were the originals, but i have a soft spot for the '86 team, despite one of my all-time fave players, Wayne Pearce, getting royally screwed out of his rightful place in that squad- anyone who's seen "That's Rugby League" knows what I'm talking about. This current team ain't nowhere as good as them, although a full strength Australian side would go close.

 

[greeneyed]

WTF?!?

I think I've just choked on my wheaties.

Considering Anderson was the one who tried to instill, or at least remind players, of the great history of the Australian Kangaroos, he has done very little to respect that history. Let's face it, post SL, we still have a long way to go to recapture that sense of occassion for a test series.

Channel 9s coverage, in the face of 7s RWC covergae no less, speaks volumes of the attitude towards the current Roo tours. In 94 Ch 9 had the entire commentary crew over in the UK following the tourists around. Each night on the news there would be a cross to a reporter covering the movements of the team. FFS there was even magazines printed just to cover the tour. I'd even be interested to see the number on the supporters tours compared to previously.

This year? Nothing, zero, sip. We are entertained by the sight of Andrew Johns who has, or what appears to have been, rudely awoken from his sleep.

Lets face it, the Kangaroos can't just hold a hit and run tour, and expect it to be considered the same sort of tour as those that went before it.

I agree 100%. This Kangaroo team is the worst in my memory. Phil Bailey in the centres????? The fact that they won the first 2 tests is completely beyond my comprehension. They did, but that doesn't mean they deserve to be held up with the 82, 86 or 94 teams.

 

[Jeffles]

It's not the worst side. But comparing them to 82 and 86 is ambitious.

In 82 and 86 the Kangaroos actually caned Britiain, and they were undefeated over more matches. Plus they actually swept the Kiwis in those years which we didn't.

 

[JJ]

I think the comments are a bit of a laugh really, the pressure has really got to Anderson, and he's ceased to be rational (just like John Mitchell).

Just off the top of my head...

82 - Sterling, Mortimer, Kenny, Lewis, Price, Pearce (there are others, but a little before my time)

86 (my favourites) Jack, Belcher, Grothe, Boustead, O'Connor ?, Meninga, Miles, Kenney, Sterling, Lewis, Lindner, Cleal, Roach, Dowling... the list goes on

How many of the current squad can be spoken of as all-time greats??

I'll answer - 2 Darren Lockyer and Shane Webcke. One day Craig Wing might, but certainly not as a centre...

Anderson has done well to win this test series. In the end, I think convincingly - numerous "home town" video decisions, small 10m, endless unpunished thuggery by the Poms - all added to the severly weaked squad he had (sorry Poms, but that was a B team!!).

Despit eall of that, they really handeled themselves well under pressure and showed the English the virtues of patience, and intelligence (2 things the Poms lacked - although their Rah-Rah team seems to possess).

BUT - if Anderson shut up, and stopped making out Kimmorley was the next immortal, and that this team deserved comparison with those legendary teams (who did full tours, and coped with abysmal refereeing) etc etc - he might get some praise that he deserves.

 

[The Colonel]

Whitewash not on par with '82 or '86
By Ray Chesterton
November 24, 2003

IN clamouring for greater recognition as an all-conquering side, Australia's 2003 Kangaroos defeat their cause by stressing the number of first-choice players who were unavailable.

Claiming, as coach Chris Anderson and his acolytes do, that 19 first-choice players were missing from the Kangaroos through injury or other reasons, does not exalt their performances.

Instead it condemns the quality of English rugby league as sinking even deeper into an abyss of uncompetitiveness.

If England cannot cope with a team big on heart but small on experience, what hope would they have against our best? Had the Kangaroos been at full strength they might well have inflicted Test defeats of the magnitude of the 64-10 loss in Sydney last year.

The undefeated 1982 Invincibles and the 1986 Unbeatables Kangaroo sides, with whom the 2003 side are claiming alignment, contested much more arduous tours.

The 1982 team played 22 games in England, France and New Guinea and won them all. The 1986 side played 20 and won them all.

In 1982 under Frank Stanton, Australia also beat the Kiwis 2-0 before going to England. The 1986 side, under Don Furner, beat the Kiwis 3-0.

The 1982 side was so strong Wally Lewis could not make the Test sides against England.

In 1986 Mal Meninga could not make the starting sides as a centre. In comparison the 2003 side lost to NZ 1-0 then beat an invitation side in France, the England A side, then Wales before beating England 3-0.

Retaining the Ashes was the goal of the 2003 side and they will be remembered for doing their job efficiently and well.

They were aided by England's lust for self-destruction which even exceeds Chris Anderson's decision to elevate Darren Smith into the Test team.

England had the Test won until they allowed Kangaroo half Brett Kimmorley to stand in a tackle longer than a paper seller on a street corner and slip a pass for the winning try. It was the second of two inexcusable tries England conceded in the final minutes to ensure the Australians had plenty to celebrate before heading home.

Don't generally agree with Chesterton but he makes some good points this time!

 

[JJ]

he does indeed!!

The GB team had no excuses for loosing. They played a very understrength Aust side, IMO had numerous decisions go their way, and were still beaten 3-0.

I can't see them getting close in the forseeable future. A lot of theor players are pretty good - but in reality, I think only Fielden and Sculthorpe (at lock) would be contenders of a world team (if such a thing existed). At the end of the day they lacked class, compsure, and intelligence...

 

[PB]

Spot on. because we had 18 players missing doesnt make our side better, it makes the other team worse!