Four Nations Week 3 Preview
This week could be a tricky one for the Kiwis, they face a group of Englishmen who simply need to win. They'll also be a wee bit pissed off at how they let the Kangaroos off the hook last week, beware of the scorned Pom. The Kangaroos face Samoa and after their performance last week it's hard to see the Kangaroos slipping up this week. Both games will be highly competitive though and it's gonna be another beautiful weekend of international rugby league.
The team Stephen Kearney has named looks awesome. Obviously the main point here is Lewis Brown being dropped for Thomas Leuluai, I'm not really sure why but I am sure that Kearney isn't blind - he's seen how effective Brown is so don't be surprised to see Brown get the call up for the final. I prefer Brown over Leuluai as he is a bit more explosive around the ruck, testing the defence and he's a more than capable passer but in Kearney we trust.
I reckon this is the game where we see things fall in to place for the Kiwis. They've struggled to get all their different aspects firing at the same level at the same time. Despite the Poms having an awesome forward pack, the Kiwis forwards will trouble the English with their footwork and power. The English won't have faced a forward pack who are equally good at running over the top of you as they are putting on a bit of footwork to get in between defenders and it will be a great test for the English to try slow down the ruck. If the likes of Jesse Bromwich, Adam Blair, Jason Taumalolo, Martin Taupau and Greg Eastwood get quick play the balls then all of a sudden you have to deal with Isaac Luke scooting out of dummy half and Shaun Johnson doing his thing after that. It all starts up front and the Kiwis have perfect forward pack to keep England guessing.
I expect that to happen, but the other aspect is something that I hope happens. The Kiwis back line hasn't clicked. Sure, they've been good in parts but we haven't seen everyone on the same page, chemistry flowing and guys executing plays clinically. Johnson's footwork will be a huge weapon, which means his running game will be a huge weapon but that is set in stone, we all want to see he and Kieran Foran adding touches of class and setting up their outside men. Kick to corners, grubbers, bombs, mix up the attacking kicking game and offer variety with the ball. There's no point offering variety though if passes are heading for the laces of a team mate or if it's a generally poor option. I love this back 5 for the Kiwis, they just need to click.
The English are good, better than we've seen in a long and short time (I reckon they're better than their World Cup side). They served up some razzle dazzle last week which was interesting, they definitely have the right players to do so as they all have the skillz, but it's what comes of the razzle dazzle. They need their weapons with their mits on the ball in space, the likes of Gareth Widdop and Sam Tomkins need to be screaming for the ball as the forwards throw the ball around playing hot potato. Keep an eye on the battle of the centres as well,
There is a chance for the English if they are willing to grind things out and have some fun down the attacking end. The Kiwis don't lack power coming off their try line, but if they have to do it over and over again then it could take it's toll. Matty Smith has looked good at halfback so far, but this is a massive test for him, if he's able to control the game then that allows Widdop to be the free spirit he is and pop up in dangerous spots.
James Graham is fantastic and he'll be the leader of the grind, but when he gets the ball at first receiver, it's slightly predictable. He doesn't have the options he has at the Bulldogs and he'll need to either be amazing, or limit his ball playing and really take the game to the Kiwi forwards. England have a chance, but they'll need to be pretty close to perfect.
After watching Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk control their game last week, it's difficult to see Samoa coming close to the Kangaroos. The Kangaroos will simply look to play the percentages and make life as difficult as possible for Samoa which should result in a win for the Kangaroos. Not a whole lot to it.
If and it's a big if, the Kangaroos for some reason try to compete with Samoa in a physical, free flowing game of footy then they're inviting danger in to their back yard. Samoa have the players to dominate the Aussies up front and they have the physical specimens out wide to trouble the Kangaroos defence.
I'd love to see Samoa just go up the guts, get big bodies charging, execute little plays through the middle to get forwards in between defenders and play the ball quickly. That brings Pita Godinet in to the game and he could be lethal, especially if he has options around him. It goes without saying that Ben Roberts and Kyle Stanley will have to be pretty close to their best, but they won't have to do a whole lot. Just get their team down the right end of the field, kick long, aim for the corner flag ... but definitely no 20 metre restarts! And they'll simply need to get the ball to the right weapon at the right time. I don't trust them to execute a simply game plan though.
Samoa will only have a chance if they come out to wreak havoc which is a very real possibility given how lame this Kangaroo forward pack is. Power, excitement, niggle, general enthusiasm and a bit of razzle dazzle could give Samoa a chance. If the Kangaroos come out and simply execute their game plan without fault, things will be tough for the Samoans though.