By Peter Jessup
Prop Brad Thorn is the latest drop-out from the Australian team for the league Tri-Series that opens in Auckland next Friday, the Kiwi-born Bronco crying off with a knee strain despite passing initial fitness tests.
When the Kangaroos assemble in Sydney for their first training run today, Penrith centre
Ryan Girdler, a surprise omission from the original Aussie squad, will line up for Thorn.
His departure leaves the Kiwis with a marked advantage in the front row, where coach Frank Endacott can call on the player with the most off-loads in the NRL competition this season in Jason Lowrie, the one acknowledged as hardest to stop in Joe Vagana, the frontrower lauded as best in the grand final playoffs in Craig Smith and Warrior form-forward Terry Hermansson.
With the options of step-up secondrowers in Nathan Cayless and Tony Puletua, Endacott will be feeling much more confidence in the go-forward than his counterpart, Chris Anderson.
The Kangaroos fly to Auckland on Sunday. The Sydney and Melbourne-based Kiwis also cross the ditch on Sunday, with the Paul brothers, Robbie and Henry, expected at 6am on Tuesday and to turn out for that day's skills session at 9.30am.
