Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Boyd fit to face New Zealand

Anzac Test
Venue: Suncorp Stadium Date: Friday, 8 May Kick-off: 1030 BST


New Zealand celebrate another try in the final against Australia
New Zealand defeated Australia in the World Cup final last year

Australia winger Darius Boyd has been declared fit to play in Friday's one-off Test against New Zealand at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.

But full-back Billy Slater is still having treatment on an ankle injury.

New Zealand have made only two changes to the side that shocked Australia in the World Cup final last year.

Prop Roy Asotasi takes over from Nathan Cayless and hooker Dene Halatau comes in for Thomas Leuluai, who was at first replaced by the now-banned Issac Luke.

Luke had been named in the starting line-up but was suspended for one match after being found guilty of striking an opponent.

The incident occurred during South Sydney's 22-14 defeat by Gold Coast Titans on Saturday.

Former captain Asotasi is named in the front row following World Cup-winning skipper Nathan Cayless' retirement.

The same seven players from the 34-20 victory return to the backline but new captain Benji Marshall will start at scrum-half, where he swaps positions with Nathan Fien, who will wear the number six jersey.

On a new-look bench, Greg Eastwood is the only survivor from the World Cup final.

Melbourne's Jeff Lima takes over from injured front-rower Sam Rapira, while winger Jason Nightingale and centre/second-rower Iosia Soliola are named in the two other interchange spots.


Australia: Billy Slater (Melbourne Storm), Israel Folau(Brisbane Broncos), Greg Inglis (Melbourne Storm), Justin Hodges (Brisbane Broncos), Darius Boyd (St George Illawarra Dragons), Darren Lockyer (captain - Brisbane Broncos), Johnathan Thurston (North Qld Cowboys), Petero Civoniceva (Penrith Panthers), Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm), Steve Price (NZ Warriors) Anthony Laffranchi (Gold Coast Titans), Paul Gallen (Cronulla Sharks), Glenn Stewart (Manly Sea Eagles)
Replacement: Kurt Gidley (Newcastle Knights), Brent Kite (Manly Sea Eagles), Luke Bailey (Gold Coast Titans), Anthony Watmough (Manly Sea Eagles)

New Zealand: Lance Hohaia (New Zealand Warriors); Sam Perrett (Sydney Roosters), Simon Mannering (Warriors), Jerome Ropati (Warriors), Manu Vatuvei (Warriors); Nathan Fien (Warriors), Benji Marshall (captain - Wests Tigers); Roy Asotasi (South Sydney), Dene Halatau (Wests Tigers), Adam Blair (Melbourne Storm); David Fa'alogo (Souths), Bronson Harrison (Canberra Raiders); Jeremy Smith (St George Illawarra).
Replacements: Greg Eastwood (Canterbury Bulldogs), Jeff Lima (Storm), Jason Nightingale (St George Illawarra), Iosia Soliola (Roosters).

No comments: