SBW chatter won’t distract Kiwis
A casual observer could easily be forgiven for thinking Sonny Bill Williams was captain, goalkicker and coach for the Kiwis this weekend.
The former All Blacks midfielder confirmed his switch to Canadian-based Super League club the Toronto Wolfpack yesterday.
Just an hour or so later, the Benji Marshall-captained Kiwis completed their captain’s run ahead of their Oceania Cup test against the Great Britain Lions in Christchurch tonight.
The speculation of Williams signing a two-year deal – reportedly worth $10 million – with the Wolfpack and then the confirmation, has dominated the rugby league headlines all long.
Despite not playing in the 13-man code since his stint with the Roosters ended in 2014, Williams has even managed to take the spotlight off the ever polarising and recalled Shaun Johnson and that’s no easy feat.
By yesterday’s captain’s run, Kiwis coach Michael Maguire was focusing on one thing and it wasn’t Williams or the Wolfpack.
Maguire made it clear the biggest story in New Zealand rugby league since Johnson left the Warriors before the 2019 season won’t distract the Kiwis as they look to win their first series – albeit just a two-test battle – against Great Britain since 1998.
‘‘I’ve said a lot this week around that space. I’m looking forward to tomorrow,’’ Maguire said when asked if he would consider selecting Williams for the Kiwis in 2020.
He quickly moved on with: ‘‘We’ve got a massive game for us tomorrow, it’s a really important one. We need to be better than what we were last week,’’ Maguire said of last Saturday’s 12-8 win in Auckland.
Less than 24 hours earlier, Maguire talked openly about the subject, telling
it was an ‘‘open opportunity’’ but he would consult senior players about anyone who might be able to come into the group.
Marshall also wouldn’t be drawn on the possibility of Williams representing the Kiwis for the first time since they were thumped 34-2 in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup final in Manchester by Australia.
‘‘It’s not up to me,’’ Marshall said. He also said he hadn’t made a decision on his own availability for the Kiwis in 2020 and beyond.
With just four points separating the teams last week, Marshall said the Kiwis had worked hard on their defence.
‘‘We feel like if we can improve our defence it will give us more opportunities,’’ Marshall said.
Maguire’s men will face a depleted Great Britain side who have lost winger Zak Hardaker to a shoulder injury and interchange back-rower Joe Philbin with a hamstring injury. That comes after another winger, Ryan Hall, was ruled out after going down with an injury late in the first test.
Marshall was not reading much into the enforced changes to the Lions, adding the Kiwis expected another tough battle.
Despite the Kiwis predictably being
Kiwis:
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Ken Maumalo, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Joseph Manu, Jamayne Isaako, Shaun Johnson, Benji Marshall (c), Zane Tetevano, Brandon Smith, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Briton Nikora, Corey Harawira-Naera, Joseph Tapine. Interchange (from): Kodi Nikorima, Kevin Proctor, Leeson Ah Mau, Adam Blair, Jahrome Hughes, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Bailey Simonsson, Isaiah Papali’i.
Jonny Lomax, Jermaine McGillvary, Jack Hughes, Jake Connor, Blake Austin, Gareth Widdop, Jackson Hastings, Chris Hill, Josh Hodgson, Thomas Burgess, John Bateman, Elliott Whitehead, James Graham. Interchange (from): Josh Jones, Luke Thompson, Daryl Clark, Alex Walmsley, George Williams.
8pm tonight, Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch. without the outstanding Kenny Bromwich – who is at home in Melbourne awaiting the birth of his second child – the late changes to Great Britain will firm up the Kiwis favouritism.
Especially with Brandon Smith, who
was stood down last week, coming back in at hooker.
Great Britain assistant coach Ian Watson told Stuff Smith’s inclusion is a big boost for the Kiwis.
‘‘Just his deception around the ruck. I think that will be something we need to be really mindful of,’’ Watson said.
The key to the Lions locking up the series was containing the likes of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Zane Tetevano and Joseph Tapine through the middle of the ruck, Watson said.
Bromwich’s absence opens the door for Kevin Proctor to come into the match-day 17. With both teams not having to confirm their final make-ups until game day, Maguire would not be drawn on whether Proctor or Corey Harawira-Naera – who was named earlier in the week – would start.
Former Canberra Raiders halfback Blake Austin will start on the wing for the Lions with Luke Thompson replacing Philbin.
Great Britain Lions:
Kickoff: