Sheens keeps an eye on Hindmarsh for Test comeback
Greg Prichard | September 30, 2009
Nathan Hindmarsh is in the mix for a comeback to Test football after two years out of an Australian jersey.
Australian coach Tim Sheens yesterday revealed he and the selectors were looking at Hindmarsh when he said: ''If Parramatta had been eliminated from the finals last weekend, Hindmarsh would have been included in the Kangaroos train-on squad.''
The Australian squad of up to 24 players will be named next week for the Four Nations tournament, which also involves England, New Zealand and France.
Sheens was reacting to the question of whether the combination of Parramatta's tremendous run to the grand final and second-rower Hindmarsh's terrific form had put the 30-year-old back in the frame.
It is no guarantee he will be chosen, particularly as second-row spots are always hotly contested because of the quality and depth in that position, but it represents a huge improvement in Hindmarsh's representative rating from earlier this season. The Eels star was left out of a 40-man NSW squad in April.
Hindmarsh has played 16 State of Origin games and 20 Tests, but has not been selected at either level since 2007. He has always remained available for selection though and has not stopped craving a return.
Australia have some injury problems affecting experienced players in the forwards, which could favour Hindmarsh because of his immense experience. It would be a mistake for Australia to go in with too many forwards who are not experienced at Test level. Warriors prop Steve Price has already been ruled out, while Penrith prop Petero Civoniceva and Bulldogs front-rower Ben Hannant are in doubt.
Sheens said he would get an update on the injuries at today's training, adding: ''There are a few players already out of consideration in various positions because of injury. 'Pricey' is obviously one. Two of my guys at Wests Tigers - Keith Galloway and Chris Lawrence - are also out and I understand [South Sydney's] Johnny Sutton is as well. [Penrith's] Luke Lewis is another player we need to get an update on.
''Petero certainly hasn't been ruled out at this stage. He's making a bid to be fit. I'm not sure how Ben Hannant is placed after he got hurt last weekend, but we'll get a good idea tomorrow. The train-on squad has been training every Wednesday, and as far as I know all the players will be there tomorrow, so we'll make sure we get an injury update because the touring squad is not far away from being selected now.''
Another 11 players were added to the squad yesterday: Hannant, Michael Ennis, Josh Morris, David Stagg (Bulldogs); Israel Folau, Justin Hodges, Nick Kenny, Darren Lockyer, David Taylor, Sam Thaiday (Broncos); Trent Barrett (Sharks).
