League: Strength shortage a major problem

FILE

COMMENT: WHEN I first read the Kiwis team list to play Australia tonight I didn't react well.

It was a mix of disappointment and shock, resulting in a large sigh.

Much has been made of the depleted backline of Australia, if there is such a thing, but my attention turned straight to the Kiwis' forward pack.

Our biggest strength in past tournaments has been our imposing forward pack, but this year we look to be very unremarkable in that area.

You just have to look at the names that are missing to feel aggrieved - like Sam Moa, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Jeremy Smith, Frank-Paul Nu'uausala, Sam McKendry and Frank Pritchard.

Those names have been replaced with the likes of Tohu Harris, Jesse Bromwich and Martin Taupau.

To be fair there is still talent in the pack, with the likes of Jason Taumalolo, and good players who go under the radar, like Bromwich and Kevin Proctor, but it is very unremarkable.

And what makes it even worse is the players they'll line-up against.

Aussie have a very solid group including Aaron Woods, Beau Scott, Greg Bird, Cameron Smith, Aidan Guerra and Josh Papalii, while England boast the Burgess boys (minus Sam) and James Graham.

My point? We're in big trouble.

It could turn into a miracle against Aussie tonight, and I honestly hope so, but common sense will tell you Aussie will win by plenty.

Kiwis v Australia, tonight 9.30pm, Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane

Australia: 1 Greg Inglis, 2 Josh Mansour, 3 Michael Jennings, 4 Dylan Walker, 5 Daniel Tupou, 6 Daly Cherry-Evans, 7 Cooper Cronk, 8 Aaron Woods, 9 Cameron Smith (c), 10 Sam Thaiday, 11 Beau Scott, 12 Ryan Hoffman, 13 Greg Bird. Interchange: 14 Robbie Farah, 15 Aidan Guerra, 16 Josh Papalii, 17 Corey Parker.

New Zealand: 1 Peta Hiku, 2 Jason Nightingale, 3 Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 4 Dean Whare, 5 Gerard Beale, 6 Kieran Foran, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 Jesse Bromwich, 9 Thomas Leuluai, 10 Adam Blair, 11 Simon Mannering (c), 12 Kevin Proctor, 13 Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: 14 Lewis Brown, 15 Greg Eastwood, 16 Martin Taupau, 17 Tohu Harris.