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Morris twins likely to be let loose against New Zealanders
GREG PRICHARD
April 10, 2010
TWIN brothers Brett and Josh Morris are poised to live the dream of playing a Test match together on home soil, with Josh bursting to the brink of selection for the vacant centre spot in the Australian team to play New Zealand at AAMI Park in Melbourne on May 7.
Unless injury becomes a factor, there is likely to be only one change to the Kangaroos' back line from that which recorded a 46-16 win against England in the Four Nations final at Leeds in November. Justin Hodges played in the centres in that game, but he is unavailable for the Test because of a long-term injury.
Fullback Billy Slater, centre Greg Inglis, wingers Brett Morris and Jarryd Hayne, five-eighth and captain Darren Lockyer and halfback Johnathan Thurston are all set to retain their places. That leaves the centre hole to fill, for which there is a quartet of players in the running - Morris, from the Bulldogs, Penrith's Michael Jennings, Manly's Jamie Lyon and North Queensland's Willie Tonga.
But the Herald understands Morris's excellent start to the season has suitably impressed the right people. Following on from his 22 tries in 21 games for Canterbury in the NRL last season, Morris entered this weekend's round five as the competition's equal-leading try-scorer with six, despite the fact his team has generally struggled and won only one of its four games.
The Morris brothers were members of the Australian squad for the Four Nations campaign, but while St George Illawarra's Brett played in all four games, Josh played in just one, against France. That was the game in which Australian coach Tim Sheens took the opportunity to give squad members who were not in the 'A' team a run.
The twins enjoyed the experience of playing together against the French - scoring two tries each - but the game against the Kiwis would rate as a much bigger occasion for them if they both made it, because the best possible team would be picked.
Jennings was also on that tour. Like Josh Morris his only game was against France, and he scored three tries. Jennings would be expected to push as hard as Morris for selection under normal circumstances, but a knee injury has cast doubt over him.
Penrith have identified their bye week as the most convenient time for Jennings to have a minor operation to fix the problem, but if that happened Jennings would be ruled out of Test contention because their bye is on the same weekend as the Test.
Lyon and Tonga are in good form. They have each represented Australia, but not recently. Lyon last played in a Test in 2007, and Tonga in 2005. That Morris has been a recent member of the Australian squad and continues to improve is tipped to give him an edge.
There are not expected to be many changes to the team that won the Four Nations trophy. The starting front row of props Ben Hannant and Petero Civoniceva and hooker Cameron Smith is expected to remain intact, but there are a few question marks over the rest of the forward pack and the bench.
Utility Luke Lewis played the final in the second row, but he is playing five-eighth for Penrith and it remains to be seen whether that affects his chances. Plus, Parramatta's Nathan Hindmarsh, who played lock in the final, has not been in great early season form.
Second-rower Paul Gallen (Cronulla) and reserve forward Anthony Watmough (Manly) look safe, and reserve forward Sam Thaiday (Brisbane) would appear more likely to survive than not. But another reserve forward, Melbourne prop Brett White, is yet to play this season because of injury, and is unlikely to make it back in time to get enough football behind him going into a Test.
Keith Galloway (Wests Tigers) and David Shillington (Canberra) are among those expected to push for the bench prop spot, while North Queensland lock Luke O'Donnell will be a contender for a spot somewhere in the 17-man squad. Newcastle's Kurt Gidley filled the bench utility role in the Four Nations final, but he is yet to play this season because of injury. If he can get at least a couple of games in before the team is picked, after round eight, he will probably survive.
Morris twins likely to be let loose against New Zealanders
GREG PRICHARD
April 10, 2010
TWIN brothers Brett and Josh Morris are poised to live the dream of playing a Test match together on home soil, with Josh bursting to the brink of selection for the vacant centre spot in the Australian team to play New Zealand at AAMI Park in Melbourne on May 7.
Unless injury becomes a factor, there is likely to be only one change to the Kangaroos' back line from that which recorded a 46-16 win against England in the Four Nations final at Leeds in November. Justin Hodges played in the centres in that game, but he is unavailable for the Test because of a long-term injury.
Fullback Billy Slater, centre Greg Inglis, wingers Brett Morris and Jarryd Hayne, five-eighth and captain Darren Lockyer and halfback Johnathan Thurston are all set to retain their places. That leaves the centre hole to fill, for which there is a quartet of players in the running - Morris, from the Bulldogs, Penrith's Michael Jennings, Manly's Jamie Lyon and North Queensland's Willie Tonga.
But the Herald understands Morris's excellent start to the season has suitably impressed the right people. Following on from his 22 tries in 21 games for Canterbury in the NRL last season, Morris entered this weekend's round five as the competition's equal-leading try-scorer with six, despite the fact his team has generally struggled and won only one of its four games.
The Morris brothers were members of the Australian squad for the Four Nations campaign, but while St George Illawarra's Brett played in all four games, Josh played in just one, against France. That was the game in which Australian coach Tim Sheens took the opportunity to give squad members who were not in the 'A' team a run.
The twins enjoyed the experience of playing together against the French - scoring two tries each - but the game against the Kiwis would rate as a much bigger occasion for them if they both made it, because the best possible team would be picked.
Jennings was also on that tour. Like Josh Morris his only game was against France, and he scored three tries. Jennings would be expected to push as hard as Morris for selection under normal circumstances, but a knee injury has cast doubt over him.
Penrith have identified their bye week as the most convenient time for Jennings to have a minor operation to fix the problem, but if that happened Jennings would be ruled out of Test contention because their bye is on the same weekend as the Test.
Lyon and Tonga are in good form. They have each represented Australia, but not recently. Lyon last played in a Test in 2007, and Tonga in 2005. That Morris has been a recent member of the Australian squad and continues to improve is tipped to give him an edge.
There are not expected to be many changes to the team that won the Four Nations trophy. The starting front row of props Ben Hannant and Petero Civoniceva and hooker Cameron Smith is expected to remain intact, but there are a few question marks over the rest of the forward pack and the bench.
Utility Luke Lewis played the final in the second row, but he is playing five-eighth for Penrith and it remains to be seen whether that affects his chances. Plus, Parramatta's Nathan Hindmarsh, who played lock in the final, has not been in great early season form.
Second-rower Paul Gallen (Cronulla) and reserve forward Anthony Watmough (Manly) look safe, and reserve forward Sam Thaiday (Brisbane) would appear more likely to survive than not. But another reserve forward, Melbourne prop Brett White, is yet to play this season because of injury, and is unlikely to make it back in time to get enough football behind him going into a Test.
Keith Galloway (Wests Tigers) and David Shillington (Canberra) are among those expected to push for the bench prop spot, while North Queensland lock Luke O'Donnell will be a contender for a spot somewhere in the 17-man squad. Newcastle's Kurt Gidley filled the bench utility role in the Four Nations final, but he is yet to play this season because of injury. If he can get at least a couple of games in before the team is picked, after round eight, he will probably survive.
