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"Kimmorley to get nod to lead Blues
By Brad Walter
March 30, 2004
Sharks halfback Brett Kimmorley will take his first step towards replacing the injured Andrew Johns as NSW captain when he is named in a preliminary Test squad this week.
While injuries and form may force changes to the Australia side to play New Zealand in Johns's home town of Newcastle on April 23, selectors will meet on Thursday to nominate 25 players to be fitted out for team uniforms and training gear.
Kimmorley is the incumbent Test halfback after a neck injury ruled Johns out of last year's Kangaroos tour, and national selector Bob McCarthy confirmed he was likely to retain the job against the Kiwis.
If fit, he would then be almost certain to be the Blues' first-choice halfback in the State of Origin series and become favourite for the NSW captaincy.
With last season's vice-captain, Melbourne prop Robbie Kearns, and Sydney Roosters lock Luke Ricketson having retired from representative football, there are few other contenders for the captaincy. St George Illawarra five-eighth Trent Barrett is the most obvious alternative, followed by Knights back-rower Ben Kennedy, who is expected to take over the reins from Johns at Newcastle for the remainder of the season.
But both Kennedy and Barrett are battling injury, and there is also a view that Kimmorley would call the shots on the field anyway so he may as well have the (c) next to his name.
Blues coach Phil Gould said yesterday the captaincy was a matter for the NSWRL board. The directors wouldn't make a decision until the side was named.
Brisbane five-eighth Darren Lockyer will retain the Australian captaincy, although he is likely to play fullback against New Zealand to accommodate the inclusion of Barrett.
Lockyer said yesterday that he had sent Johns a text message after learning of his injury......."
With Johns out, I guess this was inevitable and good luck to Noddy for these honours, but how does everyone think we'll go without Noddy away on Origin duties?
By Brad Walter
March 30, 2004
Sharks halfback Brett Kimmorley will take his first step towards replacing the injured Andrew Johns as NSW captain when he is named in a preliminary Test squad this week.
While injuries and form may force changes to the Australia side to play New Zealand in Johns's home town of Newcastle on April 23, selectors will meet on Thursday to nominate 25 players to be fitted out for team uniforms and training gear.
Kimmorley is the incumbent Test halfback after a neck injury ruled Johns out of last year's Kangaroos tour, and national selector Bob McCarthy confirmed he was likely to retain the job against the Kiwis.
If fit, he would then be almost certain to be the Blues' first-choice halfback in the State of Origin series and become favourite for the NSW captaincy.
With last season's vice-captain, Melbourne prop Robbie Kearns, and Sydney Roosters lock Luke Ricketson having retired from representative football, there are few other contenders for the captaincy. St George Illawarra five-eighth Trent Barrett is the most obvious alternative, followed by Knights back-rower Ben Kennedy, who is expected to take over the reins from Johns at Newcastle for the remainder of the season.
But both Kennedy and Barrett are battling injury, and there is also a view that Kimmorley would call the shots on the field anyway so he may as well have the (c) next to his name.
Blues coach Phil Gould said yesterday the captaincy was a matter for the NSWRL board. The directors wouldn't make a decision until the side was named.
Brisbane five-eighth Darren Lockyer will retain the Australian captaincy, although he is likely to play fullback against New Zealand to accommodate the inclusion of Barrett.
Lockyer said yesterday that he had sent Johns a text message after learning of his injury......."
With Johns out, I guess this was inevitable and good luck to Noddy for these honours, but how does everyone think we'll go without Noddy away on Origin duties?
