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Australia v New Zealand Betting

RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP – AUSTRALIA v NEW ZEALAND BETTING – 26th OCTOBER

The Group A clash between World Cup holders, and 6-times winners, Australia, and 2000 finalists, New Zealand, is undoubtedly the pick of the opening round fixtures in this year’s renewal of the tournament. Given their exemplary record in the World Cup, Australia seem certain to start favourites for their opening tie.

In the last 19 Test meetings between the two sides, Australia have 15 wins, New Zealand 3, with one match drawn. This includes a 40-12 victory for Australia in the 2000 World Cup Final.

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Team News / Key Players

Australia
Coach Ricky Stuart’s Australian World Cup squad is packed with talent, initiative and awe-inspiring, raw power. Players from Manly (6) and Melbourne (5), who contested the NRL Grand Final, make up 11 of the 24-man squad. Manly skipper Matt Orford and Broncos full back Karlmichael Hunt would “walk” into any other team in the competition and can be considered unlucky to have been left out. However, Australia have an embarrassment of riches at half back and full back and it was impossible to include all the contenders for these positions. Manly fans will doubtless be compensated by the inclusion of favourite David Williams (winger).

Two of the game’s great leaders, Brisbane five-eighth Darren Lockyer and Melbourne hooker Cam Smith will ensure the right options are taken. Australia has such a depth of talent in all positions that coach Stuart will face a difficult task in selecting a starting line-up for the opening game at Sydney Football Stadium.

New Zealand
New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney promised a competitive team for the 2008 World Cup and appears to have achieved his objective. The squad features numerous players with substantial top-level experience and a blend of solid club combinations. South Sydney have three of their forwards in the Kiwi squad. Rabbitohs’ second rows David Fa’alogo, David Kidwell and hooker Issac Luke deserve selection following gutsy performances throughout the season, while the side has a born leader in Parramatta prop Nathan Cayless. Manly centre Steve Matai will also join the squad, having been informed that his shoulder injury does not need immediate surgery. He faces the unenviable task of taking on his Grand Final-winning team-mates.

Beaten finalists Melbourne are represented by prop Adam Blair, second row Jeremy Smith and versatile forward Sika Manu, all hoping to recover from the hammering by Manley. However, Kiwi coach Stephen Kearney has been forced to make two changes to his World Cup squad. Leeds fullback Brent Webb and Melbourne prop Jeff Lima have both been ruled out with injury. While the Kiwis have lost two first-choice selections, Kearney was delighted to be able to call up quality replacements, in the shape of St George Illawarra winger / full back Jason Nightingale and Vodafone Warriors front row Evarn Tuimavave. Nightingale made his Kiwi debut in the Centenary Test against Australia at Sydney in May, while Tuimavave, with 99 NRL appearances to his name, is yet to play for the Kiwis, but was in the 19-man squad for last year’s Anzac Test.

Australia are hot favourites to capture the World Cup outright. However, coach Ricky Stuart may have several concerns, having seen some of the Melbourne players apparently surrender in the NRL Grand Final, when they were slaughtered 40-0 by Manly. Meanwhile, New Zealand look a strong, versatile outfit, and, despite their poor record against Australia, there appears to be an air of confidence wafting across the Tasman Sea.