OMEN
04-30-2006, 08:10 PM
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Hunt ... in good form for Brisbane.
NEW Zealand-born fullback Karmichael Hunt is a hamstring twinge away from making his Test debut for Australia against the Kiwis at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night. Hunt yesterday leapfrogged North Queensland fullback Matt Bowen as the likely replacement for Sydney Roosters star Anthony Minichiello, who had to survive a fitness test on his suspect hamstring yesterday before being named Australian fullback.
Bowen was bombed out of Test calculations by Ricky Stuart's Roosters team in Townsville on Saturday night when the Cowboys crashed to a shock 22-18 loss.
Cowboys playmaker Johnathan Thurston is the only squad debutant, joining Broncos pair Darren Lockyer and Petero Civoniceva as the only Queenslanders.
Australian coach Stuart pinpointed Bowen as a weakness in Townsville and the diminutive Cowboys star was found wanting several times under the high ball.
Asked after the match about Bowen's performance, Stuart said: "All fullbacks struggle under those sort of high balls."
There is little doubt Stuart came away convinced Bowen would be a risk against the Kiwis and yesterday morning, before Minichiello's fitness test, there were intense discussions between the Test coach and selectors Des Morris and Les Geeves (Qld), and Bob McCarthy and Bob Fulton (NSW).
The outcome was a decision to bring Hunt into camp as 18th man if there was any doubt over the fitness of Minichiello.
McCarthy said Minichiello's impressive hitout negated the need for an extra player. "Anthony's ready to roll," he said. But if Minichiello should break down Hunt is set to get the call, which would be a massive show of faith in the 19 year old, who has yet to play State of Origin for Queensland and has been targeted by the Kiwis many times to turn out for the country of his birth.
Hunt, who has lived in Brisbane since he was 11, reiterated last month his intention to strive for Queensland and Australian selection.
While the Broncos and Cowboys share the NRL lead with Melbourne, selectors did not increase the Queensland representation. Three players is the same number as last year when Australia lost the Tri-Nations final 24-0 to the Kiwis.
There are 10 survivors from that Australia side with Brent Tate, Jason Ryles and Craig Gower not considered because of injury while Trent Barrett, Craig Fitzgibbon, Craig Wing and Steve Price missed out.
McCarthy said the Queensland selectors had gone into bat for Broncos centre Justin Hodges, who he conceded was the unlucky omission with St George-Illawarra's Mark Gasnier and Matt Cooper getting the nod. Gasnier's possible defection to rugby union was not discussed by the selectors.
"They all picked themselves," McCarthy said. "The side is that strong we've left out players of the calibre of Wing and Fitzgibbon."
Asked about Thurston's selection, McCarthy said: "He's picked himself the way he's been playing. He's an ideal utility player."
On the omission of Wing, Stuart said: "I'm very happy with the team the selectors have chosen."
The Courier-Mail
Hunt ... in good form for Brisbane.
NEW Zealand-born fullback Karmichael Hunt is a hamstring twinge away from making his Test debut for Australia against the Kiwis at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night. Hunt yesterday leapfrogged North Queensland fullback Matt Bowen as the likely replacement for Sydney Roosters star Anthony Minichiello, who had to survive a fitness test on his suspect hamstring yesterday before being named Australian fullback.
Bowen was bombed out of Test calculations by Ricky Stuart's Roosters team in Townsville on Saturday night when the Cowboys crashed to a shock 22-18 loss.
Cowboys playmaker Johnathan Thurston is the only squad debutant, joining Broncos pair Darren Lockyer and Petero Civoniceva as the only Queenslanders.
Australian coach Stuart pinpointed Bowen as a weakness in Townsville and the diminutive Cowboys star was found wanting several times under the high ball.
Asked after the match about Bowen's performance, Stuart said: "All fullbacks struggle under those sort of high balls."
There is little doubt Stuart came away convinced Bowen would be a risk against the Kiwis and yesterday morning, before Minichiello's fitness test, there were intense discussions between the Test coach and selectors Des Morris and Les Geeves (Qld), and Bob McCarthy and Bob Fulton (NSW).
The outcome was a decision to bring Hunt into camp as 18th man if there was any doubt over the fitness of Minichiello.
McCarthy said Minichiello's impressive hitout negated the need for an extra player. "Anthony's ready to roll," he said. But if Minichiello should break down Hunt is set to get the call, which would be a massive show of faith in the 19 year old, who has yet to play State of Origin for Queensland and has been targeted by the Kiwis many times to turn out for the country of his birth.
Hunt, who has lived in Brisbane since he was 11, reiterated last month his intention to strive for Queensland and Australian selection.
While the Broncos and Cowboys share the NRL lead with Melbourne, selectors did not increase the Queensland representation. Three players is the same number as last year when Australia lost the Tri-Nations final 24-0 to the Kiwis.
There are 10 survivors from that Australia side with Brent Tate, Jason Ryles and Craig Gower not considered because of injury while Trent Barrett, Craig Fitzgibbon, Craig Wing and Steve Price missed out.
McCarthy said the Queensland selectors had gone into bat for Broncos centre Justin Hodges, who he conceded was the unlucky omission with St George-Illawarra's Mark Gasnier and Matt Cooper getting the nod. Gasnier's possible defection to rugby union was not discussed by the selectors.
"They all picked themselves," McCarthy said. "The side is that strong we've left out players of the calibre of Wing and Fitzgibbon."
Asked about Thurston's selection, McCarthy said: "He's picked himself the way he's been playing. He's an ideal utility player."
On the omission of Wing, Stuart said: "I'm very happy with the team the selectors have chosen."
The Courier-Mail