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http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,16210579-23214,00.html
Fitness a worry for Kangaroos
By Dean Ritchie
August 10, 2005
AUSTRALIA'S long-held rating as the world's No.1 rugby league country is under threat because of fitness concerns to elite players at struggling NRL clubs.
Up to 18 possible Kangaroos will miss in the NRL finals with heavyweight teams the Sydney Roosters and Panthers missing out on rugby league's big games and the Bulldogs also struggling.
Test selector Bob McCarthy last night expressed concern that some players will be "underdone" for the coming Tri-Nations tournament.
McCarthy will talk to the ARL management to discuss the players' fitness levels for the opening match of the Tri-Nations on October 15.
Some players will not have played for seven weeks before the Telstra Stadium Test against New Zealand.
Former Australia Test captain Laurie Daley said it was unusual to have star players from the Roosters, Penrith and possibly the Bulldogs not contesting the finals.
Kangaroos candidates Craig Wing, Anthony Minichiello, Craig Fitzgibbon, Luke Rooney, Craig Gower, Trent Waterhouse, Danny Buderus and Steve Price will all be missing from the finals this season.
To that list could be added Bulldogs players Mark O'Meley, Andrew Ryan and Braith Anasta.
Andrew Johns' Newcastle side won't play in the NRL finals but his fitness should be acceptable after a stint with English Super League club Warrington.
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"These players will not have played for six, seven weeks going into the [Homebush] Test," McCarthy said. "It is a worrying situation.
"It's pretty contentious and I'll talk with [ARL chairman] Colin Love and [ARL chief executive] Geoff Carr about the players' fitness.
"There's not much we can do about it but [Kangaroos conditioner] Billy Johnstone will have to keep them fit during the train-on squad.
"But there's nothing like match fitness."
McCarthy said that the Roosters, Panthers and Bulldogs were normally finals regulars.
"Those teams were always there and we didn't have to worry about the fitness of the players," he said.
"I suppose the positive is that the Warriors will miss out on the finals and they'll have plenty on the New Zealand side."
Bulldogs player Ryan said he would be "interested" to see if players out of the finals were chosen.
"I'm sure it [lack of fitness] will be something the selectors look at," Ryan said. "Normally teams in the finals make up touring squad.
"But it could be good for some players to have a freshen-up.
"Guys like Anthony Minichiello, Craig Wing, Danny Buderus and Craig Fitzgibbon have toured for a few years in a row now.
"It could be a blessing in disguise.
"Over the last three years these three teams [Roosters, Bulldogs and Panthers] have made up a fair part of the rep teams. It will be interesting to see what happens."
Daley said selectors would show loyalty to those players who did not contest the finals. But he, too, said players might lack match fitness.
"There's no doubt some of the players on the tour will be under-done," Daley said.
"A lot of players in recent years to play for Australia have come from Penrith, the Roosters and Bulldogs.
"Usually a heap of rep players come from these teams.
"And it could also be that a fair few players from these sides miss out on the Tri-Nations.
"It's important in a touring year that players remain in the faces of selectors well into the finals.
"It can make it difficult to win selection but I'm sure selectors have good memories and will be loyal to those who have performed well at that level in the past."
Former Test prop Steve Roach said the situation means the chance of several "bolters" being named.
"I think we could have a few bolters in the team," Roach said.
"Maybe it could be that we send away an inexperienced side."
Elland Road in Leeds will host the Tri-Nations final.
The triangular tournament involving Great Britain, New Zealand and holders Australia will reach a climax on Saturday, November 26.
Fitness a worry for Kangaroos
By Dean Ritchie
August 10, 2005
AUSTRALIA'S long-held rating as the world's No.1 rugby league country is under threat because of fitness concerns to elite players at struggling NRL clubs.
Up to 18 possible Kangaroos will miss in the NRL finals with heavyweight teams the Sydney Roosters and Panthers missing out on rugby league's big games and the Bulldogs also struggling.
Test selector Bob McCarthy last night expressed concern that some players will be "underdone" for the coming Tri-Nations tournament.
McCarthy will talk to the ARL management to discuss the players' fitness levels for the opening match of the Tri-Nations on October 15.
Some players will not have played for seven weeks before the Telstra Stadium Test against New Zealand.
Former Australia Test captain Laurie Daley said it was unusual to have star players from the Roosters, Penrith and possibly the Bulldogs not contesting the finals.
Kangaroos candidates Craig Wing, Anthony Minichiello, Craig Fitzgibbon, Luke Rooney, Craig Gower, Trent Waterhouse, Danny Buderus and Steve Price will all be missing from the finals this season.
To that list could be added Bulldogs players Mark O'Meley, Andrew Ryan and Braith Anasta.
Andrew Johns' Newcastle side won't play in the NRL finals but his fitness should be acceptable after a stint with English Super League club Warrington.
Advertisement:
"These players will not have played for six, seven weeks going into the [Homebush] Test," McCarthy said. "It is a worrying situation.
"It's pretty contentious and I'll talk with [ARL chairman] Colin Love and [ARL chief executive] Geoff Carr about the players' fitness.
"There's not much we can do about it but [Kangaroos conditioner] Billy Johnstone will have to keep them fit during the train-on squad.
"But there's nothing like match fitness."
McCarthy said that the Roosters, Panthers and Bulldogs were normally finals regulars.
"Those teams were always there and we didn't have to worry about the fitness of the players," he said.
"I suppose the positive is that the Warriors will miss out on the finals and they'll have plenty on the New Zealand side."
Bulldogs player Ryan said he would be "interested" to see if players out of the finals were chosen.
"I'm sure it [lack of fitness] will be something the selectors look at," Ryan said. "Normally teams in the finals make up touring squad.
"But it could be good for some players to have a freshen-up.
"Guys like Anthony Minichiello, Craig Wing, Danny Buderus and Craig Fitzgibbon have toured for a few years in a row now.
"It could be a blessing in disguise.
"Over the last three years these three teams [Roosters, Bulldogs and Panthers] have made up a fair part of the rep teams. It will be interesting to see what happens."
Daley said selectors would show loyalty to those players who did not contest the finals. But he, too, said players might lack match fitness.
"There's no doubt some of the players on the tour will be under-done," Daley said.
"A lot of players in recent years to play for Australia have come from Penrith, the Roosters and Bulldogs.
"Usually a heap of rep players come from these teams.
"And it could also be that a fair few players from these sides miss out on the Tri-Nations.
"It's important in a touring year that players remain in the faces of selectors well into the finals.
"It can make it difficult to win selection but I'm sure selectors have good memories and will be loyal to those who have performed well at that level in the past."
Former Test prop Steve Roach said the situation means the chance of several "bolters" being named.
"I think we could have a few bolters in the team," Roach said.
"Maybe it could be that we send away an inexperienced side."
Elland Road in Leeds will host the Tri-Nations final.
The triangular tournament involving Great Britain, New Zealand and holders Australia will reach a climax on Saturday, November 26.
