2016 Rugby League Four Nations

[rhugh89]

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marathonstadium

2016 RUGBY LEAGUE FOUR NATIONS DRAW

Round 1	Friday 28th October, 2016	Australia vs Scotland	KC Lightstream Stadium, Hull
Round 1	Saturday 29th October, 2016	England vs New Zealand	John Smiths Stadium, Huddersfield
Round 2	Saturday 5th November, 2016	England vs Scotland	Ricoh Stadium, Coventry
Round 2	Saturday 5th November, 2016	Australia vs New Zealand	Ricoh Stadium, Coventry
Round 3	Friday 11th November, 2016	New Zealand vs Scotland	The Zebra Claims Stadium, Workington
Round 3	Sunday 13th November, 2016	England vs Australia	QEII Olympic Park Stadium, London
Final	Sunday 20th November, 2016	TBD vs TBD	Anfield, Liverpool

2016 RUGBY LEAGUE FOUR NATIONS SQUADS


​

AUSTRALIA	NEW ZEALAND	ENGLAND	SCOTLAND
Cameron Smith (c)	Gerard Beale	John Bateman	Danny Addy
Darius Boyd	Adam Blair	Kevin Brown	Euan Aitken
Shannon Boyd	Jesse Bromwich (c)	George Burgess	Ryan Brierley
Boyd Cordner	Lewis Brown	Sam Burgess	Sam Brooks
Cooper Cronk	Greg Eastwood	Thomas Burgess	Danny Brough
Josh Dugan	David Fusitu'a	Daryl Clark	Tyler Cassel
Blake Ferguson	Tohu Harris	Mike Cooper	Lachlan Coote
Jake Friend	Shaun Johnson	Liam Farrell	Luke Douglas
Tyson Frizell	Jordan Kahu	Brett Ferres	Dale Ferguson
Matt Gillett	Solomone Kata	Luke Gale	Ben Hellewell
Valentine Holmes	Shaun Kenny-Dowall	James Graham	Liam Hood
Greg Inglis	Thomas Leuluai	Ryan Hall	Ben Kavanagh
David Klemmer	Issac Luke	Chris Hill	Kane Linnett
James Maloney	Simon Mannering	Josh Hodgson	Ryan Maneely
Josh Mansour	Te Maire Martin	Jonny Lomax	Frankie Mariano
Trent Merrin	Manu Ma'u	Jermaine McGillvary	Billy McConnachie
Michael Morgan	Jason Nightingale	Mark Percival	Kieran Moran
Matt Moylan	Kevin Proctor	Stefan Ratchford	Brett Phillips
Justin O'Neill	Jordan Rapana	Dan Sarginson	Callum Phillips
Josh Papalii	Joseph Tapine	Scott Taylor	Sheldon Powe-Hobbs
Matt Scott	Jason Taumalolo	Kallum Watkins	Matthew Russell
Sam Thaiday	Martin Taupau	Elliott Whitehead	Lewis Tierney
Johnathan Thurston	Jared Waerea-Hargreaves	Gareth Widdop	Dave Scott
Aaron Woods	Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	George Williams	Adam Walker
Coach: Mal Meninga	Coach: David Kidwell	Coach: Wayne Bennett	Coach: Steve McCormack

 

[rhugh89]

New Zealand have named the first part of their train-on squad for the one off test against Australia and the 4 Nations

More players to be named after teams are eliminated from the NRL Finals

The game will be played in Perth on October 15th

NZ Train-On Squad

[FONT=&amp]Lewis Brown (Sea Eagles)[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Addin Fonua-Blake (Sea Eagles)[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Martin Taupau (Sea Eagles)[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Manu Ma’u (Eels)[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Brad Takairangi (Eels)[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Jason Nightingale (Dragons)[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Shaun Kenny-Dowall[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Isaac Liu (Roosters)[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Sam Moa (Roosters)[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Roosters)[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]David Fusitu’a (Warriors)[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Shaun Johnson (Warriors)[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Solomone Kata (Warriors)[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Thomas Leuluai (Warriors)[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Sam Lisone (Warriors)[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Tuimoala Lolohea (Warriors)[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Issac Luke (Warriors)[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Simon Mannering (Warriors)[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Ben Matulino (Warriors)[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Bodene Thompson (Warriors)[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Manu Vatuvei (Warriors)[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Tim Simona (Tigers)[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Elijah Taylor (Tigers)[/FONT]

 

[rhugh89]

Kiwis add eight to train-on squad


Wed 21 Sep, 2016, 11:46am
NRL.com


The Kiwis have added eight players to their train-on squad for the upcoming Test against the Kangaroos and the Four Nations series in England, with James Fisher-Harris in line to make his senior international debut, one of four Panthers included.

The back-rower is joined by Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Suaia Matagi and Te Maire Martin, while Broncos Adam Blair, Alex Glenn and Jordan Kahu were also named following their side's NRL finals exit.

Warriors forward Ben Matulino has withdrawn from the squad in order to have off-season surgery, with Jazz Tevaga taking his place in the train-on squad.

New Zealand Four Nations train-on squad

Adam Blair (Brisbane Broncos)
Lewis Brown (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
Greg Eastwood (Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs)
James Fisher-Harris (Penrith Panthers)
Addin Fonua-Blake (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
David Fusitu'a (Warriors)
Alex Glenn (Brisbane Broncos)
Shaun Johnson (Warriors)
Jordan Kahu (Brisbane Broncos)
Solomone Kata (Warriors)
Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Sydney Roosters)
Thomas Leuluai (Warriors)
Sam Lisone (Warriors)
Isaac Liu (Sydney Roosters)
Tuimoala Lolohea (Warriors)
Issac Luke (Warriors)
Simon Mannering (Warriors)
Te Maire Martin (Penith Panthers)
Suaia Matagi (Penrith Panthers)
Manu Ma'u (Parramatta Eels)
Sam Moa (Sydney Roosters)
Jason Nightingale (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Tim Simona (Wests Tigers)
Brad Takairangi (Parramatta Eels)
Martin Taupau (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
Elijah Taylor (Wests Tigers)
Jazz Tevaga (NZ Warriors)
Bodene Thompson (NZ Warriors)
Manu Vatuvei (NZ Warriors)
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters)
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Penrith Panthers)


http://www.nrl.com/kiwis-add-eight-to-train-on-squad/tabid/10874/newsid/101571/default.aspx

 

[rhugh89]

Leilua added to Kangaroos squad


Mon 26 Sep, 2016, 5:40pm
NRL.com


Canberra Raiders players Shannon Boyd and Joseph Leilua are among 10 players added to the Kangaroos Train-On Squad ahead of the October 15 Test against New Zealand in Perth and the Four Nations in the UK.

Boyd and Leilua join Cowboys co-captains Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott, as well as Michael Morgan and Justin O'Neill, in the train-on squad.

Kangaroos Coach Mal Meninga said he was pleased with the potential for the Four Nations squad based on the Prime Minister's XIII's 58-0 victory over the Papua New Guinea Prime Minister's XIII in Port Moresby last Saturday.

"The squad is taking shape very well," Meninga said.

"I was really pleased with the performance of a number of players in Port Moresby and it enhanced my thoughts on a number of players.

"To add these experienced players, as well as a handful of younger guys, to the train-on squad puts us in a very strong position."
Players selected in the Prime Minister's XIII will gain automatic consideration for the Kangaroos train-on squad.

Kangaroos train-on squad:

Josh Mansour (Penrith Panthers)
Trent Merrin (Penrith Panthers)
Bryce Cartwright (Penrith Panthers)
Matt Moylan (Penrith Panthers)
Darius Boyd (Brisbane Broncos)
Corey Oates (Brisbane Broncos)
Anthony Milford (Brisbane Broncos)
Ben Hunt (Brisbane Broncos)
Matt Gillett (Brisbane Broncos)
Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos)
Corey Parker (Brisbane Broncos)
Josh McGuire (Brisbane Broncos)
James Tedesco (Wests Tigers)
Mitchell Moses (Wests Tigers)
Aaron Woods (Wests Tigers)
Semi Radradra (Parramatta Eels)
Greg Inglis (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Josh Dugan (St. George-Illawarra Dragons)
Blake Ferguson (Sydney Roosters)
Mitchell Pearce (Sydney Roosters)
Jake Friend (Sydney Roosters)
Boyd Cordner (Sydney Roosters)
Dylan Napa (Sydney Roosters)
Ryan James (Gold Coast Titans)
Tyson Frizell (St. George-Illawarra Dragons)
Josh Jackson (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
David Klemmer (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Moses Mbye (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Jake Trbojevic (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys)
Matt Scott (North Queensland Cowboys)
Michael Morgan (North Queensland Cowboys)
Justin O'Neill (North Queensland Cowboys)
James Tamou (North Queensland Cowboys)
Josh Papalii (Canberra Raiders)
Shannon Boyd (Canberra Raiders)
Joseph Leilua (Canberra Raiders)
Jarrod Croker (Canberra Raiders)
Junior Paulo (Canberra Raiders)

The Kangaroos squad will be announced in early October.


http://www.nrl.com/leilua-added-to-kangaroos-squad/tabid/10874/newsid/101733/default.aspx

 

[rhugh89]

Alex Glenn has been ruled out of the 4 nations

http://www.nrl.com/glenn-ruled-out-of-four-nations/tabid/10874/newsid/101780/default.aspx

 

[rhugh89]

Kiwis add Taumalolo, Rapana, Tapine


Thu 29 Sep, 2016, 3:30pmNRL.com


Dally M Medal winner Jason Taumalolo is one of three new players to be added to New Zealand's train-on squad ahead of their Test against Australia in Perth.

Cowboys lock Taumalolo joins the squad along with Raiders duo Jordan Rapana and Joseph Tapine.

The Kiwis, who will play in the Four Nations in the UK following a Test against Australia in Perth on October 15, will trim down the current 32-man squad to 24 next week, with players from grand finalists the Storm and Sharks still yet to be added.

Kiwis 2016 train-on squad

Adam Blair (Broncos)
Jordan Kahu (Broncos)
Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys)
Jason Nightingale (Dragons)
Manu Ma’u (Eels)
Brad Takairangi (Eels)
James Fisher-Harris (Panthers)
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Panthers)
Suaia Matagi (Panthers)
Te Maire Martin (Panthers)
Jordan Rapana (Raiders)
Joseph Tapine (Raiders)
Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Roosters)
Isaac Liu (Roosters)
Sam Moa (Roosters)
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Roosters)
Lewis Brown (Sea Eagles)
Addin Fonua-Blake (Sea Eagles)
Martin Taupau (Sea Eagles)
David Fusitu'a (Warriors)
Shaun Johnson (Warriors)
Solomone Kata (Warriors)
Thomas Leuluai (Warriors)
Sam Lisone (Warriors)
Tuimoala Lolohea (Warriors)
Issac Luke (Warriors)
Simon Mannering (Warriors)
Jazz Tevaga (Warriors)
Bodene Thompson (Warriors)
Manu Vatuvei (Warriors)
Elijah Taylor (Wests Tigers)


http://www.nrl.com/kiwis-add-taumalolo-rapana-tapine/tabid/10874/newsid/101827/default.aspx

 

[rhugh89]

New Zealand Squad

Gerard Beale
Adam Blair
Jesse Bromwich (c)
Lewis Brown
Greg Eastwood
David Fusitu'a
Tohu Harris
Shaun Johnson
Jordan Kahu
Solomone Kata
Shaun Kenny-Dowall
Thomas Leuluai
Issac Luke
Simon Mannering
Te Maire Martin
Manu Ma'u
Jason Nightingale
Kevin Proctor
Jordan Rapana
Joseph Tapine
Jason Taumalolo
Martin Taupau
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

Unavailable for selection

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Peta Hiku
Dean Whare
Kieran Foran
Ben Matulino
Alex Glenn
Kodi Nikorima

Australian Squad

[FONT=&amp]Cameron Smith (c)[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Darius Boyd[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Shannon Boyd[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Boyd Cordner[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Cooper Cronk[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Josh Dugan[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Blake Ferguson[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Jake Friend[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Tyson Frizell[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Matt Gillett[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Valentine Holmes[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Greg Inglis[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]David Klemmer[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]James Maloney[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Josh Mansour[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Trent Merrin[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Michael Morgan[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Matt Moylan[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Justin O'Neill[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Josh Papalii[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Matt Scott[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Sam Thaiday[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Johnathan Thurston[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Aaron Woods


[/FONT]http://www.nrl.com/rapana-heads-nz-test-newcomers/tabid/10874/newsid/101930/default.aspx
[FONT=&amp]
http://www.nrl.com/kangaroos-squad-for-four-nations/tabid/10874/newsid/101931/default.aspx[/FONT]

 

[rhugh89]

Scotland Squad

Danny Addy (Bradford Bulls)
Euan Aitkin (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Ryan Brierley (Huddersfield Giants)
Sam Brooks (Widnes Vikings)
Danny Brough (Huddersfield Giants)
Tyler Cassel (Wests Tigers,)
Lachlan Coote (North Queensland Cowboys)
Luke Douglas (Gold Coast Titans)
Dale Ferguson (Bradford Bulls)
Ben Hellewell (London Broncos)
Liam Hood (Leigh Centurions)
Ben Kavanagh (Bradford Bulls)
Kane Linnett (North Queensland Cowboys)
Ryan Maneely (Halifax)
Frankie Mariano (Castleford Tigers)
Billy McConnachie (Ipswich Jets)
Kieran Moran (Hull KR)
Brett Phillips (Workington Town)
Callum Phillips (Workington Town)
Sheldon Powe-Hobbs (Northern Pride)
Matthew Russell (Warrington Wolves)
Lewis Tierney (Wigan Warriors)
Dave Scott (Batley Bulldogs)
Adam Walker (Hull KR)

England Squad

John Bateman (Wigan Warriors)
Kevin Brown (Widnes Vikings)
George Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Sam Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Thomas Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Daryl Clark (Warrington Wolves)
Mike Cooper (Warrington Wolves/St George-Illwarra Dragons)
Liam Farrell (Wigan Warriors)
Brett Ferres (Leeds Rhinos)
Luke Gale (Castleford Tigers)
James Graham (Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs)
Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos)
Chris Hill (Warrington Wolves)
Josh Hodgson (Canberra Raiders)
Jonny Lomax (St Helens)
Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield Giants)
Mark Percival (St Helens)
Stefan Ratchford (Warrington Wolves)
Dan Sarginson (Wigan Warriors/Gold Coast Titans)
Scott Taylor (Hull FC)
Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos)
Elliott Whitehead (Canberra Raiders)
Gareth Widdop (St George Illawarra Dragons)
George Williams (Wigan Warriors)

New Zealand Team to Play Australia on Saturday

1. Jordan Kahu
2. Jason Nightingale
3. Solomone Kata
4. Shaun Kenny-Dowall
5. Jordan Rapana
6. Thomas Leuluai
7. Shaun Johnson
8. Jesse Bromwich (c)
9. Issac Luke
10. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
11. Kevin Proctor
12. Tohu Harris
13. Jason Taumalolo

14. Lewis Brown
15. Martin Taupau
16. Manu Ma'u
17. Adam Blair
18. Joseph Tapine
19. Gerard Beale

 

[rhugh89]

Australian Team to Play New Zealand on Saturday

1. Darius Boyd
2. Blake Ferguson
3. Greg Inglis
4. Josh Dugan
5. Valentine Holmes
6. Johnathan Thurston
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Matt Scott
9. Cameron Smith (c)
10. Shannon Boyd
11. Boyd Cordner
12. Matt Gillett
13. Trent Merrin

14. David Klemmer
15. Michael Morgan
16. Tyson Frizell
17. Sam Thaiday

 

[MattyM]

When Mansour is back in camp he should be a straight swap for Ferguson. That hack should never have been picked for Australia or NSW.

 

[Joshhh]

Looking forward to this series, New Zealand look the strongest they've been in a long time, Bennett might be a bit of an x-factor for England, Australia look weaker than previous years although I reckon with the players named, they will be very strong & Scotland has been boosted by a few good NRL players so they won't be full of Super League reserve graders that will concede 80.

 

[Tasgirl]

Go the Kiwi's.

 

[rhugh89]

Cummins, Sutton to ref at Four Nations


Sat 15 Oct, 2016, 5:00am
AAP


NRL whistleblowers Ben Cummins and Gerard Sutton have been selected to referee at the Four Nations tournament in the UK starting later this month.

Cummins, who officiated in this month's grand final between Melbourne and Cronulla, and Suton were selected by a three-strong panel that included NRL referees boss Tony Archer.

They will be joined by Super League duo Robert Hicks and Ben Thaler for the tournament that features Australia, England, New Zealand and Scotland.

Australia and Scotland will kick off proceedings in Hull on Friday, October 28.


http://www.nrl.com/cummins-sutton-to-ref-at-four-nations/tabid/10874/newsid/102106/default.aspx

 

[rhugh89]

Australia have named their team to play Scotland

1. Matt Moylan
2. Josh Mansour
3. Justin O'Neill
4. Josh Dugan
5. Blake Ferguson
6. James Maloney
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Aaron Woods
9. Cameron Smith (c)
10. David Klemmer
11. Sam Thaiday
12. Tyson Frizell
13. Jake Trbojevic

14. Jake Friend
15. Shannon Boyd
16. Trent Merrin
17. Michael Morgan
18. Valentine Holmes
19. Boyd Cordner


http://www.nrl.com/kangaroos-team-to-face-scotland/tabid/10874/newsid/102223/default.aspx

 

[ryan.berger.56]

If there was no Thaiday, that'll be a team I'd like to see! Good to see they're getting rid of the old and in with the new, good luck Maloney and Moylan!

 

[rhugh89]

New-look Kangaroos down spirited Bravehearts


Sat 29 Oct, 2016, 7:52am
By Chris Kennedy, National Correspondent , NRL.com


Mal Meninga's revamped Kangaroos line-up was never seriously troubled in their opening Four Nations encounter, running away 54-12 winners over Scotland at Hull's Lightstream Stadium.

The first ever Test between minnows Scotland and Australia saw the Four Nations debutants compete strongly but they lacked the polish to seriously threaten the might of the Kangaroos.

Despite ringing a host of changes in keeping his word to give every player in his squad a run, Meninga's men barely missed a beat in the first half.

Man of the Match Matt Moylan had a whale of a game at fullback, slotting into the structures beautifully and tormenting the Bravehearts with a slick passing game to help create five of Australia's tries.

Fellow first-gamer James Maloney got a run with Johnathan Thurston rested and he also made the best of his chances.

Despite uncharacteristically missing three conversions he scored one try and had a hand in four and combined brilliantly with second-gamer Tyson Frizell on the left edge.

Lock Jake Trbojevic produced some bone-rattling defence in an assured debut and was rewarded with a late try; centre Justin O'Neill had a strong outing also but debutant hooker Jake Friend appeared to try a bit too hard to produce something after being brought on after half-time and produced two turnovers.

For the Bravehearts, hyper-competitive five-eighth Danny Brough was unsurprisingly his side's best, creating their first try and taking the fight to the Kangaroos at every opportunity.

The NRL contingent – in particular fullback Lachlan Coote and centre Euan Aitken – were welcome additions but the team overall just lacked the class to worry Australia.

The rot started in just the fifth minute. After competing tightly in the opening sets a Brough error after Blake Ferguson batted back a bomb handed the Aussies a scrum at the Bravehearts' line.

Quick hands from Moylan put Ferguson over on the left edge after he had wrapped all the way around from the other side of the field to get involved.

At the end of the set from the ensuing restart Smith and Cronk produced a line from the Storm playbook when the skipper darted from dummy-half then wrong-footed fullback Coote with a grubber angled back in that was telepathically read by Cronk to make it 10-0 after as many minutes.

From the very next set a lovely Cronk inside ball put Moylan into a yawning gap for a supporting Maloney to score and it became four tries in as many sets when Cronk earned his double supporting a Tyson Frizell line break.

The contest was already beyond doubt at 22-0 after 15 minutes but the Bravehearts refused to let their heads drop and continued to throw themselves at the green and gold line but they also continued to be their own worst enemies in their rare good-ball sets.

Instead it was Panthers winger Josh Mansour who scored the next two tries, in the 24th and 35th minutes, both off beautiful passes from his club captain Moylan.

Scotland were finally rewarded for their persistent efforts in the shadows of half-time when Brough put in a lovely grubber for his halves partner and Huddersfield teammate Ryan Brierly to swoop and score to make it 30-6 at the break.

With skipper Smith rested for the second half to give bench hooker Friend a run, some of the sting went out of the Aussies in the second 40. It didn't stop centre Josh Dugan producing two slick pieces of footwork to break the line and run 50 to score just after the resumption but that was Australia's last try until the 66th minute.

The intervening 20 minutes saw some scrappy play by the Kangaroos, a lovely 70-metre intercept run from Brough, a head clash which caused Josh Dugan and Luke Douglas to end their evenings early, and one powerful try to Bravehearts lock Ben Kavanagh running off a short ball close to the Aussie line.

The Kangaroos kicked back into gear late however with three late tries.

Frizell got in on the scoring after going close a few times and yet again it came running a great line on the left edge off Maloney.

Utility Michael Morgan – filling in at centre for Dugan – ran in off yet another nice Moylan pass while debutant Jake Trbojevic earned himself a much-deserved four-pointer supporting a Trent Merrin line break right on full-time for a final 54-12 scoreline.

Next week both sides travel to the Ricoh Arena in Coventry for a double-header, with Scotland to face England and Australia and New Zealand to resume hostilities.

Fulltime

Australia - 54 (Cronk, Mansour 2, Ferguson, Maloney, Dugan, Frizell, Morgan, Trbojevic tries; James Maloney 7 goals)

Scotland - 12 (Bierley, Kavanagh tries; Brough 2 goals)

Crowd: 5,337

Man of the Match: Matt Moylan (Australia)


http://www.nrl.com/new-look-kangaro...hearts/tabid/10874/newsid/102287/default.aspx

 

[MattyM]

Only watched the last 20 minutes because sleep was more important, wasn't very thrilling though.

 

[rhugh89]

Johnson field goal seals Four Nations thriller


Sun 30 Oct, 2016, 2:30am
By Jack Brady, National Correspondent , NRL.com


A Shaun Johnson field goal has proved the difference in New Zealand's 17-16 Four Nations win over England at Huddersfield's John Smith's Stadium.

Johnson's 65th minute one-pointer, while a fair distance from full-time, contributed to England's late meltdown where they proved to be their own worst enemy.

With the try-line in sight in the final nine minutes, Gold Coast-bound centre Dan Sarginson dropped the ball cold in what could have been a potential match-winning play.

No Englishman contributed to their hard luck more in the final 15 minutes than skipper Sam Burgess who came up with multiple uncharacteristic errors.

England's one and only field goal attempt, from five-eighth Gareth Widdop, was waved away in the final three minutes.

While Johnson clinched the result with the boot, his 80-metre intercept try from a wayward Widdop pass certainly helped the Kiwis' cause just after half-time.

With the Kiwis extending their lead to 12-4, England hit back in the 48th minute through winger Jermaine McGillvary thanks to a handy Elliott Whitehead cut-out ball.

New Zealand winger Jordan Rapana's second try of the game eight minutes later – provided from a magic Manu Ma'u offload – looked to have sealed the match for the Kiwis.

However Jordan Kahu's missed conversion attempt kept England in proceedings.

Widdop provided the equalising play thanks to an unbelievable two-man, over-the-head bat on for Ryan Hall to score in the corner – the winger's 29th try in 29 Tests – though it would all be in vain by game's end.

Wayne Bennett's first foray as England coach may have ended in disappointment but his influence was clear considering his side's ploy to opt for two penalty goals in the first 10 minutes.

In a relatively uneventful first half, both England prop James Graham and Kiwis centre Solomone Kata were denied the game's first try.

That changed in the 34th minute when Rapana scored his first ever international try in the corner, just minutes after Kahu kicked a penalty goal of his own.

Of concern for New Zealand however is the health of veteran five-eighth Thomas Leuluai who failed to return from a concussion suffered in the 53rd minute.

With a huge clash with Australia beckoning, Kiwis coach David Kidwell may be forced to blood rookie playmaker Te Maire Martin.

For England the equation is simple.

They have to win their upcoming games against Scotland and the Kangaroos to give themselves any chance of playing in the Four Nations final on November 20.

Fulltime

New Zealand - 17 (Jordan Rapana 2, Shaun Johnson tries; Jordan Kahu 2 goals; Shaun Johnson field goal)

England - 16 (Jermaine McGillvary, Ryan Hall tries; Gareth Widdop 4 goals)

Crowd: 24,070

Man of the Match: Shaun Johnson (New Zealand)


http://www.nrl.com/johnson-field-go...riller/tabid/10874/newsid/102296/default.aspx

 

[rhugh89]

James Graham will miss England's game against Scotland due to a knee injury

http://www.nrl.com/james-graham-to-miss-scotland-game/tabid/10874/newsid/102345/default.aspx

Josh Mansour has done his ACL so he is out of the 4 nations

http://www.nrl.com/mansour-ruled-out-of-four-nations/tabid/10874/newsid/102363/default.aspx

 

[rhugh89]

Squads for the 2 games this weekend

- England have dropped Widdop and James Graham is out with a knee injury
- Jason Nightingale and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves are out due to injury, They are replaced by Gerard Beale and Greg Eastwood
- Huge changes for Australia to with Cooper Cronk, Tyson Frizell, Josh Dugan, Jake Trbojevic and Josh Mansour all out


ENGLAND V SCOTLAND - SUN 6 NOV, 4.30AM (AEDT), RICOH ARENA, COVENTRY

England (squad)

John Bateman
George Burgess
Sam Burgess (c)
Thomas Burgess
Daryl Clark
Mike Cooper
Liam Farrell
Luke Gale
Ryan Hall
Chris Hill
Josh Hodgson
Jonny Lomax
Jermaine McGillvary
Mark Percival
Dan Sarginson
Scott Taylor
Kallum Watkins
Elliott Whitehead
George Williams

Coach: Wayne Bennett

Scotland (squad)

Danny Addy
Euan Aitken
Sam Brooks
Danny Brough (c)
Tyler Cassel
Lachlan Coote
Luke Douglas
Dale Ferguson
Ben Hellewell
Liam Hood
Ben Kavanagh
Kane Linnett
Frankie Mariano
Brett Phillips
Callum Phillips
Matty Russell
Dave Scott
Lewis Tierney
Adam Walker

Coach: Steve McCormack

NEW ZEALAND V AUSTRALIA - SUN 6 NOV, 7.00AM (AEDT), RICOH ARENA

New Zealand

1. Jordan Kahu
2. Gerard Beale
3. Solomone Kata
4. Shaun Kenny-Dowall
5. Jordan Rapana
6. Thomas Leuluai
7. Shaun Johnson
8. Jesse Bromwich (c)
9. Issac Luke
10. Adam Blair
11. Kevin Proctor
12. Tohu Harris
13. Jason Taumalolo

14. Lewis Brown
15. Martin Taupau
16. Manu Ma'u
17. Greg Eastwood
18. Joseph Tapine
19. David Fusitu'a

Coach: David Kidwell

Australia (squad)

Darius Boyd
Shannon Boyd
Boyd Cordner
Blake Ferguson
Jake Friend
Matt Gillett
Valentine Holmes
Greg Inglis
David Klemmer
James Maloney
Trent Merrin
Michael Morgan
Matt Moylan
Justin O'Neill
Matt Scott
Cameron Smith (c)
Sam Thaiday
Johnathan Thurston
Aaron Woods

Coach: Mal Meninga


http://www.nrl.com/four-nations-team-lists-week-2/tabid/10874/newsid/102390/default.aspx