ID :
210871
Mon, 10/03/2011 - 12:59
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/210871
The shortlink copeid
Warriors loss won't halt NZ rise: Sheens
SYDNEY (AAP) - Oct. 03 - The Warriors' NRL grand final loss will do nothing to halt New Zealand's rise as a rugby league power to rival Australia, says Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens.
The Kiwis boast the World Cup and Four Nations trophies, while the Auckland-based Warriors were represented in all three grades on grand final day.
The evidence is there for former Kangaroos boss Wayne Bennett's claim back in 2005 that New Zealand was the sleeping giant of the game internationally.
Sheens says it's the emergence of classy halves such as Benji Marshall, celebrating Sea Eagle Kieran Foran and Warriors wonder-kid Shaun Johnson that has the Kiwis' fortunes rising.
"Australia have always been one of the strongest nations because of the halves combinations being the best, and the second (choice) halves combinations have been probably better than any other nation too," the Test coach said.
"New Zealand, since Stacey Jones leaving that squad, has struggled here and there for a halves combination to match with Marshall.
"Now with young Foran and young Johnson, they've got a quality group of halves coming through.
"Those decision-makers and the speed they have in that position worry us."
Australia's first-choice halves pairing will be captain Darren Lockyer and halfback Johnathan Thurston, while Cooper Cronk and Dally M rookie of the year Daly Cherry-Evans are the back-up.
"I'm still very happy with Thurston and Darren Lockyer," Sheens said.
"(Cherry-Evans') form's undeniable, (Manly lost) six games all season.
"I don't think anyone would disagree that the kid certainly earned an opportunity."
The two sides meet on October 16 at Newcastle's Ausgrid Stadium before their Four Nations round-robin match-up in Warrington on October 28.
They could play a third time in a month in the tournament final in Leeds on November 19.
"They've got big men all over the park," Sheens said of the Kiwis.
"When you get good direction for those big men, that's when you've got to start worrying.
"We're in for a tough series. We've got to play them twice in a period of two weeks and then, if we're successful, you've got to play them possibly again in the final."
Sheens will play his best possible line-up in Newcastle, wary of the task ahead in winning consecutive Tests against a Kiwis side led by his Wests Tigers superstar Marshall.
"Some of the guys haven't played (for several weeks)," Sheens said.
"The Manly boys have all played but with a two-week break that's a bit of a freshen-up for them, then there's another two-week break before they play the next game.
"It's hard to beat (NZ) any time let alone try and think you're going to beat them twice with back-to-back games, as we found last year at the end of the Four Nations.
"I'd want to try and get the combinations as quickly as possible so I'd like to pick the best side available."
Sheens will name his 17 for Lockyer's last home Test on Friday.
The Kiwis boast the World Cup and Four Nations trophies, while the Auckland-based Warriors were represented in all three grades on grand final day.
The evidence is there for former Kangaroos boss Wayne Bennett's claim back in 2005 that New Zealand was the sleeping giant of the game internationally.
Sheens says it's the emergence of classy halves such as Benji Marshall, celebrating Sea Eagle Kieran Foran and Warriors wonder-kid Shaun Johnson that has the Kiwis' fortunes rising.
"Australia have always been one of the strongest nations because of the halves combinations being the best, and the second (choice) halves combinations have been probably better than any other nation too," the Test coach said.
"New Zealand, since Stacey Jones leaving that squad, has struggled here and there for a halves combination to match with Marshall.
"Now with young Foran and young Johnson, they've got a quality group of halves coming through.
"Those decision-makers and the speed they have in that position worry us."
Australia's first-choice halves pairing will be captain Darren Lockyer and halfback Johnathan Thurston, while Cooper Cronk and Dally M rookie of the year Daly Cherry-Evans are the back-up.
"I'm still very happy with Thurston and Darren Lockyer," Sheens said.
"(Cherry-Evans') form's undeniable, (Manly lost) six games all season.
"I don't think anyone would disagree that the kid certainly earned an opportunity."
The two sides meet on October 16 at Newcastle's Ausgrid Stadium before their Four Nations round-robin match-up in Warrington on October 28.
They could play a third time in a month in the tournament final in Leeds on November 19.
"They've got big men all over the park," Sheens said of the Kiwis.
"When you get good direction for those big men, that's when you've got to start worrying.
"We're in for a tough series. We've got to play them twice in a period of two weeks and then, if we're successful, you've got to play them possibly again in the final."
Sheens will play his best possible line-up in Newcastle, wary of the task ahead in winning consecutive Tests against a Kiwis side led by his Wests Tigers superstar Marshall.
"Some of the guys haven't played (for several weeks)," Sheens said.
"The Manly boys have all played but with a two-week break that's a bit of a freshen-up for them, then there's another two-week break before they play the next game.
"It's hard to beat (NZ) any time let alone try and think you're going to beat them twice with back-to-back games, as we found last year at the end of the Four Nations.
"I'd want to try and get the combinations as quickly as possible so I'd like to pick the best side available."
Sheens will name his 17 for Lockyer's last home Test on Friday.
