To win the Rugby League World Cup, you have to beat Australia, and with the squad Australia has announced, thats going to be a big ask.
The Manly Sea Eagles got six of their players selected in the squad and thankfully, Karmichael Hunt and Sam Thaiday have been left out of the side after their stupidity a few weeks ago. It will be interesting to see how Hunt in particular takes his non selection.
Darren Lockyer is capatin and only Jonathan Thurston would have been selected on past performances, and you have to say thats a great move considering how well he plays for Australia.
The official Australian World Cup squad is:
Terry Campese
Petero Civoniceva
Michael Crocker
Craig Fitzgibbon
Israel Folau
Paul Gallen
Kurt Gidley
Justin Hodges
Greg Inglis
Brent Kite
Anthony Laffranchi
Darren Lockyer
Joel Mongahan
Josh Perry
Steve Price
Scott Prince
Billy Slater
Cameron Smith
Brett Stewart
Glenn Stewart
Brent Tate
Johnathan Thurston
Anthony Watmough
David Williams
There are so many players in the squad I’m glad to see were selected. David Williams, Brent Tate and Terry campese top the list.
Joel Mongahan is probably a bit lucky to be there, but I guess he covers the wing and centers, but I’d be surprised if he saw much game time.
The Australian backline will be nothing short of ridiculous. All of them are amazingly athletic and just have so much skill.
This would be my Australian lineup:
League Freaks Australian lineup:
1. Billy Slater
2. Brent Tate
3. Greg Inglis
4. Justin Hodges
5. Israel Folau
6. Darren Lockyer
7. Jonathan Thurston
8. Steve Price
9. Cameron Smith
10. Petero Civoniceva
11. Michael Crocker
12. Paul Gallen
13. Craig Fitzgibbon
14. Kurt Gidley
15. Brent Kite
16. Josh Perry
17. Anthony Laffranchi
I think the backline is set to be honest. All proven performers at the highest level, they have all been there before and are all in form. Similarly, I think the front row is also set.
There is so much room to work with with the back row and lock, you could name any combination and it would be oustanding. I’d start the competition with Fitzgibbon but I think you could get more punch by replacing him with say Gallen at lock and bringing say Anthony Watmough into the second row.
I’d also love to see how Terry Campese plays at lock. He is a very good five-eight but if you put him at lock (Where he has played before) you’d have so much ball playing skill in the side.
With this squad to work with, its hard to go wrong.
And to think the Poms think they have a chance…..
