Four Nations Previews Part 3 & 4

[josie andrews]

Part 3

We continue our look ahead to the start of the Gillette Four Nations with the current holders of the competition NEW ZEALAND.

The Kiwis were the huge surprise in 2010 with the Final win over the Aussies and will again fancy their chances, the recent defeat to the Kangaroos last weekend in Newcastle will have been a shock to Stephen Kearney's men and they have less than a two week turnover to be ready for the crucial re-match against Australia at Warrington next Friday in the Four Nations Opener.

The Kiwis possess top quality players and individual match winners and Benji Marshall is the one to watch, being able to produce magic in moments and turn games on their heads, as he proved in the 2010 Tournament Final.

Wigan fans will keep a close eye on Thomas Leuluai who wasn't included in the Newcastle run out and he is certain to cause teams problems whether from the hooking role or scrum half position with his quick thinking from acting half back.

History

The sport of Rugby League sprung to life in New Zealand through the years of 1906 and 1907.

After breaking away from the control of New Zealand Rugby Union, one of the most famous names in Rugby League history, the great Albert Baskerville, organised the very first Rugby League tour in history, where his New Zealand side travelled to Great Britain to play against the Northern Union in 1907.

That New Zealand side, which also included Australian legend Dally Messenger, played their first ever International Test match against Wales while on tour. Wales proved victorious in a nail biting 9-8 victory against the Kiwi side of the time, who have gone down in history as the ‘All Golds'.

After their defeat to Wales, New Zealand went on to play a three-test series against a Northern Union representative side and won the series 2-1, with Messenger scoring vital points in their two victorious tests. The ‘All Golds' also played a Test series in Australia on their return home, again winning 2-1 despite the fact that Messenger elected to play for the Australian side in all three games.

The ‘All Golds' tour is regarded by many as being one of the key factors in helping aid the growth and popularity of Rugby League during those fledgling years both in Britain and Australia and played a large role in the sport being as strong as it is today.

New Zealand took part in all four of the Tri-Nations tournaments held between 1999 and 2006 and were victors on one occasion. They defeated Australia 24-0 in the 2005 final. They consigned Australia to their first defeat international test series defeat in 27 years.

During the 2010 final the Four Nations Trophy was practically in Australian hands when an inspired run and move from Benji Marshall led to a Nathan Fien try in the final minutes which once again tipped the balance of power into Kiwi hands.

New Zealand Fixtures

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

Saturday 5th November v Wales, Wembley, 1pm KO

Saturday 12th November v England, KC Stadium, Hull, 6pm KO

New Zealand Squad

Gerard Beale (Brisbane), Adam Blair (Melbourne), Lewis Brown (NZ Warriors), Nathan Fien (St George Illawarra), Kieran Foran (Manly), Alex Glenn (Brisbane), Thomas Leuluai (Wigan), Kevin Locke (NZ Warriors), Shaun Johnson (NZ Warriors), Issac Luke (South Sydney), Sam McKendry (Penrith), Simon Mannering (NZ Warriors), Sika Manu (Melbourne), Benji Marshall (Wests Tigers, capt), Steve Matai (Manly), Ben Matulino (NZ Warriors), Fuifui Moimoi (Parramatta), Jason Nightingale (St George Illawarra), Russell Packer (NZ Warriors), Kevin Proctor (Melbourne), Jeremy Smith (Cronulla), Manu Vatuvei (NZ Warriors), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters).

Coaches Comment

"There's evidence again that our playing depth is building,"

"As usually happens we've had a significant number of players who couldn't be considered due to injury but we've still been able to bring together a strong group of players, one we're really pleased with.

"It's a benefit as well that so many of them have played deep into the finals."


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[josie andrews]

Part 4

Our final team preview ahead of the Gillette Four Nations Tournament are the outsiders of the competition, WALES, who are Coached by Warriors Assistant Coach Iestyn Harris.

Wales earned their place up against the World's Elite by winning the European Nations Cup in 2010 with victories over Scotland, Ireland and most impressively France 12-11 in a crucial decider match.

History

Wales is one of the longest standing teams in Rugby League history having played their first Test match against the famous New Zealand ‘All Golds' touring side in 1908, where they defeated the tourists by a single point to notch their first ever Test match victory. However, the history of Welsh Rugby League arguably goes back even further to the first ever Test match, which was played in 1904 between England and Other Nationalities, of which 10 of the 12 man squad were of Welsh nationality.

Wales has a proven record in producing players of the highest calibre and three of their players have been honoured with a place in the Rugby League Hall of Fame. Those players are Billy Boston, Wigan's all-time record try scorer with a magnificent record of 478 tries in 488 games, Jim Sullivan, all-time record appearance and points scored for Wigan and Gus Risman, who led minnows Workington Town to Challenge Cup glory in 1952, aged 41.

This competition is a massive test for the Welsh side but they won't be lacking passion and pride.

Wales Fixtures

Saturday 29th October v England at LSV 2.30pm KO.

Saturday 5th November v New Zealand at Wembley 1.00pm KO.

Sunday 13th November v Australia at Wrexham 5.45pm KO.

Wales Squad

Captain Lee Briers

C Beasley (Central Comets, Australia), A Bracek (Crusaders), L Briers (Warrington), N Budworth (MacKay Cutters, Australia), R Divorty (Featherstone), G Dudson (Crusaders), B Flower (Crusaders), T Frizell (Cronulla, Australia), A Gay (South Wales Scorpions), A James (South Wales Scorpions), J James (Crusaders), D Jones (Halifax), C Kopzcak (Bradford), E Kear (Crusaders), M Lennon (Thirroul Butchers, Australia), P Lupton (Crusaders), C Roets (South Wales Scorpions), M Seamark (Wynnum Manly, Australia), G Thomas (Crusaders), I Watson (Swinton), I Webster (Central Comets, Australia), L White (Crusaders), L Williams (Crusaders), R Williams (Warrington).

Coaches Comment

"It is in the main, quite a youthful squad with only six of our squad aged in their 30s, the rest of the players all being in their 20s.But they are full of enthusiasm for Wales and are determined to do well. We've a tough competition ahead of us but we know that we can handle it and we're looking forward to getting out there."

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