Adam Bailey
DeanoHarmoAustralian World Cup Squad Announced
October 7th 2008 03:28
Category: RWC 2008 National Squads
Darren Lockyer will captain the Kangaroos for the 21st time on October 26.
The battle for spots will lie mainly in the forwards with hooker Cameron Smith being the only certainty. Steve Price, Petro Civoniceva, Brent Kite, Josh Perry will fight it out for the front row spots while the highly contested back row will be picked from Michael Crocker, Craig Fitzgibbon, Paul Gallen, Anthony Laffranchi, Glenn Stewart and Anthony Watmough.
Cameron Smith has been dropped of the captaincy and some believe that it is because of the recent incident between him and Australian coach Ricky Stuart relating to Smith's suspension. Stuart states that he holds nothing against the Melbourne captain and that Darren Lockyer was always going to retrieve the captaincy on his return to the side.
Terry Campese has burst onto the scene in the second half of the NRL season and has been rewarded with a spot behind Darren Lockyer. The question is; if Lockyer does have to miss some games, who will wear the number 6? Will they use the crafty Prince, the running Inglis or the robust Campese? Ricky Stuart has a host of options and it is obvious why the Kangaroos are red-hot favourites to take out the title.
David 'The Wolfman' Williams is also a bolter but will find it hard to break into the team. With the wing positions likely to go to Israel Folau and Brent Tate, the runner-up Rookie of the Year will probably have to settle for the experience he will get from the camp. It is due reward for the bearded man from the Peninsula as he has shown great skill, speed and strength throughout the NRL season.
The Australian Squad:
Darren Lockyer (C) (Brisbane)
Terry Campese* (Canberra)
Petero Civoniceva (Penrith)
Michael Crocker (Melbourne)
Craig Fitzgibbon (Sydney Roosters)
Israel Folau (Melbourne)
Paul Gallen (Cronulla)
Kurt Gidley (Newcastle)
Justin Hodges (Brisbane)
Greg Inglis (Melbourne)
Brent Kite (Manly)
Anthony Laffranchi* (Gold Coast)
Joel Mongahan* (Canberra)
Josh Perry* (Manly)
Steve Price (NZ Warriors)
Scott Prince (Gold Coast)
Billy Slater (Melbourne)
Cameron Smith (Melbourne)
Brett Stewart (Manly)
Glenn Stewart* (Manly)
Brent Tate (NZ Warriors)
Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland)
Anthony Watmough* (Manly)
David Williams* (Manly)
(*) Denotes players making their debut
Adam Bailey
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Comment by Goblin
Why do selectors insist on choosing Craig Fitzgibbon and Michael Crocker? Don't get me wrong, they are both outstanding players but Fitzgibbon is 31 and Crocker is off to the UK next season. Their spots should be given to up and coming younger players like Chris Heighington or Sam Thaiday.
On a positive note, it is fantastic to see some players getting rewarded for good form such as Terry Campese, Glenn Stewart, Anthony Watmough and David Williams.
I am interested in hearing others' opinions on the squad.