Test Match Preview: Kangaroos v Kiwis

TEST MATCH PREVIEW

AUSTRALIAN KANGAROOS v NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
International Test match
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Kick-Off 6:30pm (local) at Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
Referee: Ben Cummins

Last Time They Met
ANZAC Test 2012- Watch game highlights of Australia’s 20-12 victory at Eden Park in April.
Last 10 Games - Kangaroos 7, Kiwis 2, Draw 1.
Australia won all three Test Matches last season and this year’s ANZAC Test, with the last New Zealand victory coming in the 2010 Four Nations Final.

Team News and Late Mail
Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott and James Tamou have all been selected in the Australian Kangaroos team.

AUSTRALIAN KANGAROOS
B Slater, D Boyd, G Inglis, J Morris, B Morris, J Thurston, C Cronk, M Scott, C Smith ©, J Tamou, G Bird, P Gallen, N Myles.
Bench: R Farah, R Hoffman, D Shillington, T Williams, B Te’o. Coach: T Sheens.
NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
J Hoffman, S Perrett, K Inu, D Whare, G Beale, B Marshall ©, K Foran, J Bromwich, I Luke, S Kasiano, F Pritchard, K Proctor, S Mannering.
Bench: E Taylor, B Matulino, G Eastwood, A Blair, S McKendry, S Johnson. Coach: S Kearney.

Bottom Line

The Kangaroos take on the Kiwis in a one-off Test this Saturday as preparations for the 2013 World Cup start to heat up. The Kangaroos scored a 20-12 victory in the ANZAC Test in April but there are a number of changes to both sides, ensuring it will be an interesting battle in Townsville.

The Morris twins enter the fray after a great finish to the season, while injures have forced a number of changes to the Australian forward pack, including the return of Titans’ pair Greg Bird and Nate Myles. Robbie Farah takes Daly Cherry-Evans’ place on the bench, while Ben Te’o has been named as 18th man.

For the Kiwis, the uncapped Sam Kasiano and Dean Whare have been included in their squad, while Kieran Foran returns after missing the ANZAC Test with injury.

Starting Australian props James Tamou and Matt Scott will be looking to build a solid platform for Johnathan Thurston and his backline to work off. Scott missed April’s Test with a foot injury, but his return signals just the third time in history both starting Kangaroo props come from the same club.

Playing at home, all three players will be very keen to make an impact and will have every chance to do so in the typically fiery opening stages. Thurston will also be keen to keep his impressive Test match record in tact, one which includes 21 victories from 23 matches with one loss and one draw.

Although this technically is a one-off Test, there is plenty on the line, including national pride and momentum going into a World Cup year.

The Australians will want to keep their 100% record in Townsville alive, but the Kiwis are known to strike in the post-season and with a rejuvenated squad can’t be underestimated.

How do you see the Test match playing out this Saturday? Comment below.