Rugby League......Tri-nations

[Winrew]

Australia v New Zealand (+12) New Zealand are 11/10 with William Hill. They played last week and it was a 16 - 16 . The Kiwis have been forced to make several changes with Matt Utai, Tony Puletua, Motu Tony and Joe Galuvao out. Lesley Vainikolo, Logan Swann, Robbie Paul and Paul Rauhihi replace them. Not bad replacements.......dont think New Zealand will win,but i think the 12 start is a cracking bet.:D Australia: Minichiello, Rooney, Berrigan, Tonga, Sing, Lockyer (capt), Gower, Webcke, Buderus, Ryles, Hindmarsh, Fitzgibbon, Carroll. Subs: Wing, Civoniceva, Mason, Timmins. New Zealand: Webb, Meli, Vagana, Whatuira, Vainikolo, V Anderson, Leuluai, J Cayless, L Anderson, N Cayless, Wiki (capt), Swann, Williams. Subs: Paul, Asotasi, Kidwell, Rauhihi. Referee: Russell Smith (England).

[PAULM03]

Re: Rugby League......Tri-nations Close winrew, Australia were cracking in the second half, heres hoping they don't pull out some form like that against us. Fat chance. However, I think the 3.35 on offer for us to beat the aussies by less than 12.5pts on saturday is decent value. As far as i can see we have a 100% fit first 13 available, and whilst we may not have the strength in depth of the ozzies our first 13 is a more than a match for theirs IF we can match their intensity. There's also the fact that historically the ozzies seem to give us a chance in the first game, which has led to some fantastic upsets in the past (some of which i'm proud to have witnessed:D ). The only problem is the 2 warm up games against NZ they've had with one of them in English conditions may have eroded some of that advantage, but i still expect it to be far closer than these odds suggest.