FORMER Test prop Steve Roach last night attacked Australia's lack of aggression against New Zealand and questioned the Kangaroos' selection process.
Roach, who also revealed he had turned down a preliminary approach to be assistant coach with Newcastle, said Great Britain and New Zealand would now queue up to play the Australians.
"The Poms will have seen last Saturday's Test [against New Zealand] as a sign of weakness," Roach said.
Australian coach Wayne Bennett this week dropped Ben Kennedy for Saturday's second Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand in London.
"I can't believe they had Craig Wing and Danny Buderus on the field at the same time during the opening Test," Roach said.
"Wing was being used as a running forward when we were being bashed by the Kiwis.
"I don't understand. The Bulldogs won the premiership because they had a big, strong bench.
"That is how games are won these days. The power comes from the bench."
Roach said he could also not understand the sacking of Kennedy and the retention of Nathan Hindmarsh.
"Hindmarsh didn't do a single carry in the first half. They said he was being used as a decoy ... please," he said.
"You have to roll your sleeves up in a Test match.
"The Poms could declare open slather on us.
"We have to toughen up."
Roach said he rejected the Knights' approach to continue as forwards coach with Manly and to pursue his career in the media.
A respected student of the game, Roach said he was contacted by Knights coach Michael Hagan.
"He just asked me if I would be interested," Roach said.
"It wasn't an official offer, just a phone call from Michael. But I said no.
"I am committed to helping Manly and also want the spare time to continue calling the footy with 2GB.
"I think the Sea Eagles have a big future and I want to be part of the ride.
"They are running on young legs."
I'm a little confused as to what Steve Roach's understanding of "rolling up your sleeves means" 40 tackles? Making the decoy runs that get no appreciation when a try is scored? Nahhh - surely that can't meaning rolling up your sleeves"
Its no conincidence that statements made by this fat S#$t are always good for a laugh.
Funnily enough it all made sense when Steve Roach was described as a "respected student of the game" On what grounds? From the gibberish that he and his twit mates on 2GB bounce around?
Roach seems to forget that before the garbage football crept into the way Parra's plays, Hindmarsh was one of the most devestating forwards in all aspects of the game. I wouldn't mind if he was asking for Hindmarsh's replacement if a young Tallis or an Ozzie version of Sonny Bill were playing - but BEN KENNEDY? The bloke is made out of playdoe and is the last bloke we need for "TOUGHNESS". No doubt Roach is juicing himself over Manly's acquisition of this over rated bum.
I feel sorry for Manly. They would have been better off if this goose took Michael Hagan up on his offer.
Joke!
