Juniors put frustrations behind them

SYDNEY - If 13 unlucky All Blacks are ready to vent their anger at missing the Lions test series they are keeping their frustrations safely under wraps.

Junior All Black coaches Ian Foster and Colin Cooper have not detected any desire for Queensland - and then Australia A - to cop the backlash.

"Colin [Cooper] and I haven't picked up any vibes that the guys are in an angry mood but we've certainly grown into quite a determined mood to make some progress in those three games," Foster said of tonight's clash with the Reds in Brisbane.

"Guys at this level know that that's not how you play top rugby. You play top rugby by figuring out how the guys around you play, fitting into the game plan and then going out and showing your skills."

Out-of-favour wing Joe Rokocoko, who has scored a remarkable 27 tries in 23 tests, was a case in point.

"I haven't given up on it yet but I was a bit shattered," Rokocoko admitted. "I'm just trying to impress myself again. I've got my own expectations to worry about and that's what I'm trying to achieve."

Queensland will be grateful the Juniors contingent are not out for revenge given that they appear on the brink of self-destructing.

The Reds have already lost A-list Wallabies Nathan Sharpe, Wendell Sailor (Waratahs) and Daniel Heenan (Brumbies) while centre Junior Pelesasa is tracking Sharpe to the Western Force.

Despite the setbacks, Foster was expecting a tough encounter from a team including Wallabies Elton Flatley and Ben Tune, providing he passes a fitness test on a knee injury.

"We're hoping for a nice little battle. The Reds have been in turmoil with player movements but when you look through their team they're pretty solid.

"Nick Stiles is playing his last game so we expect a bit of emotion there."

Veteran prop Stiles, who was not offered a new contract last week, will captain the side in his 94th game for the state.

While Stiles is contemplating coaching in Japan, Foster said his squad still had plenty of rugby ahead for them - and possibly against the Lions.

"It's pretty clear to us we've got guys that can still play a role in the Lions series and still play a role in the Tri-Nations," he said.

"There's lot of carrots at the top level and there's a lot of internal motivation as well.

"We're wearing a Junior All Black brand which is something that hasn't happened for about 21 years.

"We feel like we're on a new adventure together, we've got to re-invent the concept and get excited about it."

Jnr All Blacks

Brisbane, tonight 9.30

Scott Hamilton
Joe Rokocoko
Ben Atiga
David Hill
Caleb Ralph
Stephen Donald
Steve Devine
Steven Bates (c)
Chris Masoe
Jerome Kaino
Kevin O'Neill
Bernie Upton
John Afoa
Andrew Hore
S. Taumoepeau

Queensland

Julian Huxley
Junior Pelesasa
B. Tune/A. Brown
Steve Kefu
Drew Mitchell
Elton Flatley
Brett Sheehan
Luke Doherty
David Croft
Tom McVerry
Mitchell Chapman
Rudi Vedelago
Anthony Mathison
Sean Hardman
Nick Stiles (c)

Junior All Blacks: Corey Flynn, Ben Castle, Ross Kennedy, Marty Holah, Piri Weepu, Luke McAlister, Casey Laulala
Queensland: Oli Avei, Greg Holmes, Matt Windle, Matt Stafford, Dave Collis, Andrew Brown/Cameron Northcott, Ant Sauer

- NZPA