Richie Barnett: Kangaroo line-up shows disrespect to Kiwis

Who cares? Kearney has named close to his strongest team, and good on him. Photo / Richard Robinson

Opinion

The "resting" of the likes of Billy Slater and Darren Lockyer by Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens oozes disrespect.

There has been plenty of talk about how every test is important - particularly between the Kangaroos and Kiwis - but Sheens' dropping of five of his regulars shows that for exactly what it is. Talk.

Forget about the excuse that Lockyer and Slater are both carrying knocks. All players carry niggles into every test. That's the game. I understand that players need a week off every now and then to get over injuries, but to have that many players left out of the Kangaroos shows that that isn't the case this time. It's disrespectful to the Kiwis and they will certainly use it for a bit of extra motivation.

But really, who cares what the Aussies do? Steve Kearney will be approaching this match like it has nothing to do with the Aussies anyway.

Kearney has named close to his strongest team, and good on him. The Kiwis went into this tournament with the aim of winning it and that hasn't changed from day one. Tomorrow's match is another chance for the team to build their game before next week's final. It gives them more time together to hone their combinations, grow the awareness between the players and achieve consistency in their style of play.

At the end of the day, it is not about what the Aussies do, it is about what the Kiwis do. Kearney won't care who Australia field. All Kearney is after is that every player in his team performs.

It's no surprise to see Sika Manu get the chance in the back row ahead of Bronson Harrison. Whether Kearney goes that way in the final remains to be seen, but Manu is the type of player Kearney really likes. He's big and strong, with most of that strength in the lower half of his body - a Melbourne Storm type of forward. He can take short balls, punch through holes and get over the advantage line. Against Australia that sort of ability is priceless.

The main question over Manu is fitness, so it will be interesting to see how much game time he gets.

I'll also be watching Issac Luke closely. So far in this tournament he has overplayed his hand a bit. It's almost as if he is trying too hard to prove himself when he comes off the bench.

He needs to be more selective in his running and, when he does go, look to pick up runners who are hitting the line. At times his play has lacked direction. He needs to fit into the game plan first and then produce the magic we all know he is capable of.

The Kiwis will be well aware of the threats Australia bring. One of the main ones - a long outside pass followed by a short inside ball to Slater - won't be a factor in this game. With Lockyer also out the Kiwis' focus will switch to shutting down Todd Carney.

Darius Boyd and Carney are fine players, but they are no Slater and Lockyer. Yes, it's still a strong Australian side, but the Kiwis should beat them.

In my day, it was a case of thinking that if we played to the best of our ability then we had a chance. But we always had guys playing out of position to cover gaps where we didn't have the talent and were often lacking in key positions.

Things have changed. This Kiwis side has excellent players in those critical positions and they have seasoned NRL players with finals experience across the board. They are also extremely well coached by a guy who demands consistency.

They are not the least bit overawed by the Australians any more. I think the days when we'd pinch a game off Australia only to then lose five in a row are gone. I fully expect us to hold our own with them now, to go head-to-head and win our share.