League: Half measures must be taken

While New Zealand league picks up the pieces of yet another disappointing defeat to the Kangaroos, one of Australia's great coaches says the Kiwis will never compete unless they have higher quality halves.

For Wests Tigers' Tim Sheens, one of the most respected coaches in the business, the equation is simple: unless New Zealand find talented halves, along with a quality hooker and fullback, they will continue to struggle against their rivals from across the Tasman.

"New Zealand have had a great set of forwards for years, plenty of power and flashy backs but it comes down to the halves," Sheens said. "The guys in the No 9, 7, 6 and 1 jerseys dominate so much of the game today - it's where the brains come from - and that's often been the strength of Australian football."

A simple comparison on Friday night told the tale. Hooker Louis Anderson is a more recognised loose forward; in the halves, Thomas Leuluai was playing his seventh test and Benji Marshall was on debut; Jerome Ropati, another debutant, is a more recognised five-eighth.

It didn't stack up well against the Australian combination with Luke Priddis (debut but 204 NRL games under his belt), Brett Kimmorley (14 tests), Darren Lockyer (25) and Anthony Minichiello (12).

Clearly the injury to fullback Brent Webb and retirement of Stacey Jones left big holes to fill but it also highlighted coach Daniel Anderson's plight as he battles to try to counter the depth of Australian league.

His record of two wins in nine games in charge as Kiwis coach makes dismal reading but other considerations come into the equation.

About 30,000 play league in New Zealand, while this figure is 10 times greater in Australia. But small signs are emerging that New Zealand could become more of a force, considering 150 players cross the Tasman each year to play in either the NRL or feeder competitions.

This statistic should also be combined with the fact that, out of 650 youngsters playing in the elite 16s and 18s grades in Australia, more than 150 can play for the Kiwis.

Of course, convincing talented youngsters to play for New Zealand can prove difficult. The recent bunfight over Karmichael Hunt highlighted this, with the Auckland-born 19-year-old preferring to don the maroon of Queensland.

Conversely, though, the Kiwis have sounded out Timana Tahu, Jonathan Thurston, Carl Webb, Willie Mason, Sam Harris, Reni Maitua, Luke Covell and Brad Thorn in recent times. All declined.

While Australian coach Wayne Bennett agrees the halves has been an area of concern - and he compares New Zealand's problems with those of Queensland who suffer numerically against NSW - he doesn't think New Zealand are doing too much wrong.

"They're doing the right things now," he said. "Anderson is doing the work with elite programmes, which is a step forward, and with the number playing professionally around the world they look strong."

Bennett even suggested that if the Kiwis could put out their full-strength side in the Tri-Series at the end of the year, when they were more likely to call on the English-based players, they'd start as favourites.

While this can be seen as gamesmanship, the list of players who were either injured or overlooked for Friday night's test shows depth is starting to emerge.

Others agree - Kangaroo great Wally Lewis: "If New Zealand were able to take their full stocks over at the end of the year, it'd be a different story. About five years down the track, the Kiwis could be challenging Australia more often. There's light at the end of the tunnel."

Kiwis great Gary Freeman: "The Aussies will always have guys coming through but we should get very strong over the next five years."

One thing that is gaining momentum is a New Zealand Origin series, to help bridge the gap between club and international league. Anderson is certainly keen.

"We expose our players in international football, like Benji Marshall at 20, but it takes probably 10 rep matches for you to know what's going to happen in rep games," Anderson said. "In Australia they can start in City vs Country Origin."

The Kiwis have never shirked a challenge, however, and, despite a poor record against Australia, the tide could be turning.

Anzac Test

Australia 32
New Zealand 16

- HERALD ON SUNDAY