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Australia's Dad's Army - Stick or twist?

S

Scubby

Juniors
Messages
395
So Mal will come into the Australian job following 3 consecutive defeats to the Kiwis.

The majority of the first choice Kangaroo team is close to drawing a pension. However, many are still among the best players running around the NRL and are not voluntarily retiring.

So with a World Cup just over a year away do you stick and hope they will get you over the line or twist with enough time to try and bring in lots of new faces? Here are some of the old guard - luckily Slater has helped him out getting crocked.

Cameron Smith (32), Corey Parker (34), Sam Thaiday (30), Cooper Cronk (32), Greg Bird (31), Paul Gallen (34), Matt Scott (30), Greg Inglis (29), Billy Slater (32 injured), Nate Miles (30), Josh Morris (29), Luke Lewis (32)

In decades gone by, these guys would have been shoved out long ago by the next cab on the rank.
 
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Last Week

Last Week

Bench
Messages
3,727
Well yeah. I think use the test and 4Nations to groom the next world cup squad.

Would still keep Cameron Smith as hooker, and I'm hesitant on DCE as he struggles in big games. But yes, lets bring in the next generation. Tedesco, Milford, Austin, etc etc.
 
Burns

Burns

First Grade
Messages
6,137
Missed this thread earlier!

I don't know how you guys feel about the upcoming ANZAC Test, but I think it'll have a huge influence on the international game moving forward.

Australia has't played since the 2015 ANZAC Test when they were pretty fell flogged by NZ. After that match we heard lots about the 'Dad's Army' and that several of the forwards such Gallen, Miles, Bird has probably played their last tests. I think they may play this upcoming Test as a send off, but then that only hinders Australian preparation for the upcoming Four Nations.

There are huge questions marks on this Australian team. Alot of the form players in the NRL at the moment aren't Australian. Even then, I think NZ are in a strong position to make it four in a row against Australia. Now if only England can do similar....
 
F

flamin

Juniors
Messages
2,046
There are a lot of quality players in this NZ team - some the best in the world in their positions. But I'm leaning towards Australia for this game. Cam Smith and Thurston are still two of the greatest players to ever play and I think they'll be fired up after the way things ended last year.
 
Captain Apollo

Captain Apollo

Coach
Messages
15,744
There needs to be some generational change as if you pick all of "the golden oldies" who are available for selection, when they retire, it would mean blooding virtually a whole new squad.

Obviously the forwards are the positions which need freshening up. You can't keep al the oldies they need some new blood. Unless injured, I think Inglis will still be there. 29 is not super old.

DEC over Cronk? No way. DCE has not handled the step up to rep football when it has come his way. Problem is Bob Fulton is one of the selectors so you watch him use the Manly connection to try and get him into the squad.
 
S

Sinman

Juniors
Messages
104
Pick the oldies I say!!! Only cause by not bringing in a succession plan you can guarantee Australia will struggle more.. Picking the oldies would give England I think a greater chance of beating them.. good for the international game.. Farewell world cup tour I say!! NZ England final!! :p
 
latingringo101

latingringo101

Juniors
Messages
585
It'll be interesting to see if meninga picks a squad of new blood or the Cronks, Thurstons, Slaters etc for this years 4 nations since the World Cup is only a year away. Maybe after 2017 he'll be looking to move new combinations into the squad.
 
TheFrog

TheFrog

Coach
Messages
14,300
Smith, Thurston, Cronk and probably Inglis are safe. The rest of them can bugger off.
 
roughyedspud

roughyedspud

Coach
Messages
12,181
Lol....hooked...i got one ;)


Being serious for a second though....yeah australia provides other nations with players....as does england with the celt nations....thats fine in my eyes.....but we gotta stop snatching them back...



Thats why i think a under 20/21s world cup every two years is a must..not only will it provide a bi-annual conveyour belt of talent...but if we get em,the players,young enough they are more likely to grasp the concept of international competition and the pride it supposed to represent....instead of using it as a stepping stone to origin or the big three
 
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hutch

hutch

First Grade
Messages
6,810
roughyedspud said:
Lol....hooked...i got one ;)


Being serious for a second though....yeah australia provides other nations with players....as does england with the celt nations....thats fine in my eyes.....but we gotta stop snatching them back...



Thats why i think a under 20/21s world cup every two years is a must..not only will it provide a bi-annual conveyour belt of talent...but if we get em,the players,young enough they are more likely to grasp the concept of international competition and the pride it supposed to represent....instead of using it as a stepping stone to origin or the big three
Click to expand...

Agreed with all of that, as per usual. If only our governing bodies cared or thought of the bigger picture.
 
roughyedspud

roughyedspud

Coach
Messages
12,181
I said after the 2013 world cup that nz & eng will take out the next 3 comps,2 four nations + 2017wc,..and i still stand by that..


Though...i actually fancy the dads army to beat nz next week..because the kiwi spine is so out of form,injured,issues.....

England should,on paper,be favourites for the 4 nations this year
 
hutch

hutch

First Grade
Messages
6,810
The worst thing that could ever happen to England is to be favourites. They are better off flying under the radar.
 
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