League: Kiwis sweat on Blair and Fien

Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Kiwi team members train at Skilled Stadium. Photo / Getty Images

At the beginning of their training session yesterday, the Kiwis gathered in a huddle and clapped their hands.

Several players went up to Lewis Brown and slapped him on the back. Meanwhile, Adam Blair was back at the team hotel receiving treatment on his sprained ankle.

What did it mean? No one was really saying. Not for sure.

"I've made [the players] aware that if Adam doesn't pull up any good [this morning] then he is a good chance of being part of the group," coach Stephen Kearney said.

"There was a good possibility he would be part of the group right from the beginning of the week. He is ready."

A decision on Blair's fitness would be made close to kick off if need be, Kearney said. Hooker Nathan Fien watched from the stands as the team trained, however he is still considered a likely starter.

Much of the focus in Australia is on Darren Lockyer's farewell test match on Queensland soil. Lockyer will likely captain his country in the end of season match in Newcastle and again in the Four Nations tour of England and Wales.

Then there are the farewell matches for Queensland and the Broncos.

"I think I'll be doing quite a few laps [of honour] this season," Lockyer said when asked if he would try to soak up the atmosphere after tonight's match.

The man Kiwis captain Benji Marshall stands accused of assaulting this year has said a sledge about Lockyer's superiority provoked the alleged attack.

Yesterday Marshall, who has claimed he was the victim of a racial slur, recalled how he had idolised Lockyer in childhood, and reflected that their head-to-head duels would soon be a thing of the past.

"It is sad that it is coming to an end for him," Marshall said.

"Growing up as a player when I was at school here I used to try to do things that Darren Lockyer used to do and wanted to play like Darren Lockyer. To get the chance to play with him in the All Stars was a great experience and playing against him over the past five or six years has been outstanding as well.

"I know they are sort of making this a farewell party for him but, to tell you the truth, I'd love to spoil that party."

Marshall has made a habit of doing just that, helping turn Lockyer's man of the match award in the World Cup final into an unwanted symbol of defeat, and then repeating the dose by setting up the winning try in the final seconds of November's Four Nations final.

This year in the NRL Marshall appears to have taken his game to a new level, but he insists there is more to come. "I feel like I can still get better," he said.

"There are still a lot of things I am trying to improve in my game, like consistency and controlling when to go for the big play and when not to. But I suppose it is nice to be injury-free for a change and have the chance to show what I can do."

While the Kiwis sweat on Blair and Fien, the Kangaroos have injury concerns of their own. Centre Justin Hodges suffered a back spasm yesterday, prompting the call-up of Willie Tonga as cover. The fitness of lock Paul Gallen was due to be assessed at a training session yesterday evening.

A calf injury had prevented Gallen from training with the team this week. Dragons backrower Beau Scott is standing by as a possible replacement.

With the likes of Johnathan Thurston and Greg Inglis back in the team the Kangaroos' line-up appears to be considerably stronger than the side that lost the Four Nations final.

"Time will tell," coach Tim Sheens said. "They are arguably the world's best players Inglis and Thurston but that is an on the day thing. We have got to produce it on the day. They are in good form and you'd say we are stronger, but we are going to need to be as well. We didn't win last year."

Skilled Park, Robina, 10 tonight

AUSTRALIA
Billy Slater
Brett Morris
Greg Inglis
Justin Hodges
Jharal Yow Yeh
Darren Lockyer (c)
J. Thurston
Petero Civoniceva
Cameron Smith
Matt Scott
Ben Creagh
Sam Thaiday
Paul Gallen

KIWIS
Lance Hohaia
Matthew Duffie
Simon Mannering
S. Kenny-Dowall
Jason Nightingale
Benji Marshall (c)
Kieran Foran
Sam Rapira
Nathan Fien
Sam McKendry
Adam Blair
Bronson Harrison
Jeremy Smith

Australia: Cooper Cronk, Ben Hannant, Jamal Idris, Kade Snowdon.

Kiwis: Issac Luke, Ben Matulino, Fuifui Moimoi, Greg Eastwood, Lewis Brown (18th man).