The Australian Test Squad

Gillett > Williams!!!!

 

Gillett's huge. Good cunt.

 

Gillett is having surgery so bailed on the train-on squad.

 

How does Scott get in ahead of bird!?

 

This.

 

Selectors Up Front About Gallen As Depth Exposed In Roos Forwards

<hr style="display: block;" size="1"> Glenn Jackson
October 3, 2011.





PAUL GALLEN will be considered as a front-rower when Australian selectors meet today to pick the 24-man squad for the Four Nations tournament.

While Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens said after Gallen's stirring efforts during the State of Origin series he was unlikely to consider the Cronulla skipper as a prop, the withdrawal through injury of Petero Civoniceva could force a rethink. Selector Des Morris confirmed, during a phone hook-up of the four selectors and Sheens, it was decided Gallen would play some front-row during the tournament.

While the Kangaroos are blessed with enormous depth and talent in the back-row, they will be a little light-on up front, especially with Cowboys prop Matt Scott, the pick of the options, in doubt with a back problem. With Civoniceva out of the squad due to a pectoral injury, the selectors have Ben Hannant and the inexperienced Josh McGuire - who is likely to resolve his eligibility issue - to consider.

The fact selectors are considering McGuire - who has applied to represent Australia having played for Samoa last year - shows to some extent the relative lack of depth in the front row. While Morris would not be drawn on the possible selection of McGuire, who was likely to be told overnight whether his eligibility had been accepted by the Rugby League International Federation, he did confirm Gallen's performances up front for the Blues had been noted for the tournament, which begins on October 28.

''I would think that he would be [considered as a prop],'' Morris said.

The Kangaroos have been rocked by some significant injuries. Newcastle's Kurt Gidley withdrew from the squad on Friday due to a knee injury, adding to the loss of Jarryd Hayne. While Manly's Brett Stewart would be the obvious choice as a back-up for Billy Slater, Canberra's Josh Dugan made a plea yesterday for selectors not to discount him despite recent ankle surgery. ''I'm definitely available for Australia this year, that was the whole plan of getting in surgery as early as I could,'' Dugan told AAP.

Second-rower Matt Gillett also withdrew on Friday, and will have shoulder surgery today.

Doubts still surround South Sydney centre Greg Inglis, whose knee will be assessed this week by the Kangaroos' medical staff. He is likely to receive some leeway, with the start of the tournament still more than three weeks away. Justin Hodges is set to be ruled out due to ongoing hamstring trouble. ''Our understanding is he's at the ready,'' Morris said of Inglis.

The selectors, however, will be unwilling to consider too many with injury clouds. Already skipper Darren Lockyer is unlikely to play in the Test against New Zealand in Newcastle on October 16, due to the fractured cheekbone that robbed him of an NRL farewell with Brisbane.

One player who won't be selected is Warriors second-rower Feleti Mateo. Although Mateo said during the week he was hopeful of being selected, ARL chief executive Geoff Carr said yesterday no application had been sent to the RLIF. ''He's Tongan,'' Carr said. ''He's not eligible.''

McGuire, on the other hand, has applied. ''He's entitled to do that, and all the indications are from the [RLIF] executive are that it will be accepted,'' Carr said.



Possible squad: Greg Bird, Cooper Cronk, Robbie Farah, Paul Gallen, Keith Galloway, Ben Hannant, Greg Inglis, Chris Lawrence, Luke Lewis, Darren Lockyer, Josh McGuire, Matt Scott, David Shillington, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Brett Stewart, Glenn Stewart, Sam Thaiday, Johnathan Thurston, Brent Tate, Akuila Uate, Anthony Watmough, Tony Williams, Jharal Yow Yeh