Four Nations Preview Part 2

[josie andrews]

We continue our preview of the forthcoming Four Nations Tournament with the favourites AUSTRALIA.

Wherever and whenever the Kangaroos are in action you are certain to see a top quality side and a unit who strive for perfection everytime they take to the field. Whatever happens it will be an eventful Tournament as Darren Lockyer brings to an end his fantastic playing career.

Australia will be full on confidence having disposed of New Zealand last weekend in Newcastle with a 42-6 result before heading across to the UK.

History

Rugby League in Australia was formed during the 1907 season with the formation of the New South Wales Rugby League in Sydney. The success of this league was largely down to one man, the legendary Dally Messenger, who starred in the 1907 ‘All Golds' tour of Great Britain, when he defected from the Australian Rugby Union association to join the newly formed league. Since then, Rugby League has been considered one of the premier sports in Australia.

Australia then made their first Impact on the International Rugby League scene in 1908, when ‘The Kangaroos', captained by Messenger toured Great Britain for the very first time to play against the Northern Union. They played their first ever international Test against a Northern Union representative side, which finished 22 all.

Australia's pedigree within the sport is renowned throughout the world and they have produced some of the greatest players ever to have graced the field, from the late great Dally Messenger to mercurial full-back Clive Churchill, World Cup record points scorer Michael Cronin and modern legends such as the enigmatic Andrew Johns and Darren Lockyer.

Australia won the previous Tri-Nations tournament on 3 occasions (1999, 2004 & 2006) and have triumphed once (2009) in the two Four Nations competitions held to date.

Australia Fixtures

Friday 28th October v New Zealand, HJ Stadium, Warrington, 8pm KO

Saturday 5th November v England, Wembley, 3.30pm KO

Sunday 13th November v Wales, Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, 5.45pm KO

Australia Squad Captain - Darren Lockyer

Darren Lockyer [c] (Brisbane)
Corey Parker (Brisbane)
Sam Thaiday (Brisbane)
Jharal Yow Yeh (Brisbane)
David Shillington (Canberra)
Paul Gallen (Cronulla)
Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly)
Brett Stewart (Manly)
Glenn Stewart (Manly)
Anthony Watmough (Manly)
Tony Williams (Manly)
Cooper Cronk (Melbourne)
Billy Slater (Melbourne)
Cameron Smith (Melbourne)
Akuila Uate (Newcastle)
Matt Scott (North Queensland)
Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland)
Luke Lewis (Penrith)
Darius Boyd (St George Illawarra)
Greg Inglis (South Sydney)
David Taylor (South Sydney)
Keith Galloway (Wests Tigers)
Robbie Farah (Wests Tigers)
Chris Lawrence (Wests Tigers)

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