Rugby League: Kiwis draw up bash-and-run battle plan

By PETER JESSUP

SYDNEY - The battle lines are clearly drawn for the Anzac rugby league test tomorrow night.

The Kiwis will try to bash the living daylights out of the Australians in the forwards, then run smart plays through their little men in Stacey Jones and Henry and Robbie Paul Their only variation will be to target the Kangaroos' left rump, bombing Wendell Sailor and testing Darren Lockyer, given the success they had with the tactic at Albany in the corresponding test in 1998, and Lockyer's dodgy ankle.

The Kangaroos, meanwhile, are counting on New Zealand to go toe-to-toe for 60 to 70 minutes, then run out of steam and plays, allowing skipper Brad Fittler to break the line and Sailor and Lockyer to capitalise.

Kiwi coach Frank Endacott threw a spanner in the works yesterday by naming Henry Paul at centre. He will run the right side of the field, and his combination with brother Robbie will be a huge danger for the Australians as both run off plays set out by Stacey Jones.

Henry Paul was not fazed by the change, saying: "I'll play anywhere for New Zealand."

He has the class to pull off the switch like no one else.

"I'm just raring to go," he said after a nine-hour sleep following the flight from England.

Can the Kiwis win? "I'm always the optimist. We can do anything with this team if we put it together."

Paul's call was for a good start and early points. He will kick, and had no worries about that, having been in good form for Bradford.

Richie Blackmore discounted the opinion that the three late travellers in the Paul brothers and himself had any advantage in bringing an unknown, offensive game the Australians would not cope with, saying they - the three - were just as disadvantaged by not knowing the defensive patterns of the Kangaroos.

But there is something to be gained by the fact the trio are not video-analysed every second of every game.

Australian coach Chris Anderson admitted surprise at some of the Pauls' antics last year and will have prepared to combat their flair but he should be prepared to be dazzled again.

The Kiwis trained twice yesterday, the second run being opposed training against the local Metropolitan Cup rep side, and Endacott declared himself happy with the runs.

Australia's problem might be in the starch department. For once the Kiwis have hardened test experience all round. Much falls to Steve Kearney in pack leadership but he is up to it and has the opportunity to prove himself a legend.

The weak link in the opposing frontline is Bryan Fletcher, who loves to play the ball but is not quite so keen on the hard stuff. He showed no enthusiasm for the trench warfare at Ericsson Stadium when the Roosters lost to the Warriors and there is no reason to suspect tomorrow will be different.

This game will come down to the last 10 minutes. There will be little between the sides at the end.

I would not put the house on either.