Rugby League: Tallis primed for battle-hardened Kiwis

By PETER JESSUP

WELLINGTON - New Kangaroos captain Gordon Tallis reckons the Warriors who lost the grand final game in Sydney last weekend will bolster the resolve of the Kiwis in Saturday's test in Wellington.

Tallis arrived yesterday with his troops and said he was prepared for as hard a test match as he has ever played.

"They would have to be physically and mentally tougher than ever before. There's more of them [the Kiwis] playing week-in and week-out in the world's toughest competition."

The 27-year-old second-rower was elevated to the leadership after Andrew Johns' back injury forced him to withdraw, and accepts it might be only for this test.

"We've lost some good blokes with Joey and Brad Fittler not here, but they've lost a couple as well [Nathan Cayless, Willie Talau] so I think that's about even."

Tallis expects the Kiwis to be battle-hardened as the Kangaroos usually are when the teams meet after the State of Origin series.

"It's never easy against the Kiwis and the experience of this team and their motivation will mean it's tougher than usual."

He described the grand final against the Roosters as "a classic."

The long period of working-out between the forwards, the blood and injuries were testament to the intensity of it, and the game turned on one 40/20 kick from Fittler. "He's not here so I expect the Kiwis to get some comfort from that."

Tallis said he had never played a test after a grand final, but felt that the Kiwis' Warriors would use the game to get even for Sunday's loss.

"It's either sit out the next seven months or get it out of your system in seven days."

Tallis said the Kangaroos produced their best win over Great Britain just three months ago. He had faith in the new players selected for his team and he was sure they would acquit themselves well.

"There is no such thing as a weak Australian side," said Tallis, adding that he had never known a weak Kiwi side either, and on paper this one looked as strong as they came.

Kiwis Logan Swann, Ali Lauiti'iti, Francis Meli and captain Stacey Jones were still icing grand final leg injuries yesterday. Of those, only halfback Jones ran with the team in a skills session at Rugby League Park, and looked untroubled.

Coach Gary Freeman said the others were all up for selection. The bench would be cut from six to four today. Their training session concentrated on attack close to the opposition line. Earlier, Freeman had run the players through a video from last year's test at the same venue, showing where defensive lapses let the Kangaroos win, and where the Kiwis missed attacking opportunities that could have been turned to points.

His plan looks to be attack-focused, which is smart because the Kangaroos will certainly score points considering the talent they have - the Kiwis just have to score more.

They will take a leaf from the Warriors' book in terms of dealing with halfback Brett Kimmorley and his kicking game, looking to shut him down with similar efficiency.

Both sides run again today and will hold closed sessions at Rugby League Park tomorrow. The test venue, the Cake Tin, is not available for anything more than a walk-around because of Friday-night rugby.

Bumper stickers, flags and Kiwi jerseys abound in central Wellington. Tickets have been selling at 1000 a day for the past fortnight and the game is headed for a sellout if the weather holds - gate sales are always big in the capital.