Kangaroos & Kiwis call up replacements for ANZAC Test

Andrew Fifita has been welcomed back into the Australian squad by team-mates after his exile was officially ended when the Cronulla prop was called up for Friday night’s ANZAC Test following injuries to Aaron Woods and Shannon Boyd.

AUS

Fifita, who was not considered for last year’s Four Nations tournament due to his off-field behaviour, is one of several redemption stories in the squads named for the Test, including the return of Kieran Foran and Russell Packer to the New Zealand team.

The Sharks frontrower had initially been named in the Tonga team to play Fiji on Saturday night but will now start for the Kangaroos at Canberra Stadium in the last mid-season trans-Tasman Test against the Kiwis.

Manly forward Jake Trbojevic also comes into the Australian team on the interchange for the Test at Canberra Stadium, while Melbourne prop Jordan McLean is the 18th man.

Kangaroos captain Cameron Smith, who supported the decision to banish Fifita and Parramatta winger Semi Radradra from the Four Nations tour, said the frontrower had now earned his place in the team for the ANZAC Test.

“He deserves another chance,” Smith told The Australian. “He missed out on the Four Nations last year so he’s done his time out of the Kangaroos system. Mal’s been very strong about that and showed it again in his actions this week unfortunately with Josh Papalii.

“Andrew had a strong season last year. He’s started the same again this time around and he deserves his call-up. All the boys will welcome him back with open arms.”

Australian coach Mal Meninga said he was happy to have Fifita back in the team after losing Woods (hamstring) and Boyd (leg) with injuries sustained in the weekend’s round of NRL matches.

“Andrew has shown to all since last year’s Four Nations tournament that he is ready to play for the Kangaroos again,” Meninga said.

“The game made a stand regarding behaviour at the time and Andrew paid the price for that, missing the Four Nations tour. We’ve always said once the matter was dealt with he would be eligible for the Kangaroos again.

“Our game has seen some wonderful redemptive stories and I can only think this will be another one.”

After spending 12 month in jail for an assault in Sydney, Packer is another remarkable redemption story and the St George Illawarra prop is set to play his first Test for the Kiwis since 2011.

“Russell’s form speaks for itself,” New Zealand coach David Kidwell said. “He was pretty delighted to get a call from me.

“Like anyone in life they have their ups and downs and Russell’s been putting the hard yards in and we just want him to do the same for the Kiwis.”

Foran was also named to make his Test comeback after being unavailable for the Four Nations due to well documented personal problems, while Warriors team-mates Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Simon Mannering return from injury.

“The three of them bring a lot of Mana to our group and that is hugely important,” Kidwell said.

“Simon’s experience in any squad is invaluable, he’s been a leader in our side for a long time so it is fantastic to have him fit and ready.

Kieran’s been playing some good footy this year and his combination with Shaun Johnson and Roger at the back is certainly benefitting from the more they time all spend together too.”

Melbourne rookie Nelson Asofa-Solomona, who is 200cm tall and weighs 115kg, was bolter in the Kiwis squad but suffered a hand injury and has been replaced by Elijah Taylor, while little-known club mate Brandon Smith was also named without having played an NRL game.

Smith, who is from Waiheke Island, off Auckland, is regarded by Melbourne as the long-term replacement for Cameron Smith and Kidwell views him as a future New Zealand Test hooker.

By Brad Walter | @BradWalterSport
Chief Correspondent, RLWC2017