Rugby League: Injury worries for both camps on eve of Anzac test

By PETER JESSUP

SYDNEY - Injuries took the spotlight in the lead-up to the Anzac rugby league test yesterday, with the Kiwis losing centre Willie Talau and the Kangaroos without hooker Andrew Johns, while a cloud still hangs over others.

After a weekend of attrition in the National Rugby League, recuperation was the name of the game in both camps yesterday, with the withdrawals aiding Australia more than they did New Zealand.

Talau tore ankle ligaments in Canterbury's wrestle with Wests Tigers on Sunday and has no chance of playing, and Kiwi coach Frank Endacott was still pondering the options last night and reluctant to signal his intentions early.

Over at the other camp, fullback Darren Lockyer is almost certain to be ruled out today with ankle ligament injury. His likely replacement is Melbourne's Robbie Ross.

New Zealand's options are to call David Kidwell out of first grade, where he was sent by Parramatta coach Brian Smith to regain confidence and form, move Nigel Vagana inside then call in another wing; or run rookie Tesesa Lavea, who is already in camp but was put there largely to gain experience in the lead-up to the World Cup; or place Henry Paul at fullback and shift skipper Richie Barnett forward, then seek a utility as replacement.

There are no names jumping out at Endacott and Talau's defection is the last news he would have wanted.

The Kiwis required a two-hour medical yesterday before the remainder were cleared for a game of touch, although second-rower Jarrod McCracken is still doubtful after suffering a badly bruised thigh and Endacott was coy on Quentin Pongia's injury situation, which may become clearer at training today.

If Pongia is ruled out his likely replacement will be Penrith's Tony Puletua.

Warrior Ali Lauiti'iti was always unlikely to get a run, with the World Cup also the reason for his being in Sydney this week, but he was taken out of play yesterday by two high-tackle charges from the NRL following the fiasco in Townsville on Saturday night.

Lauiti'iti faces a two-week ban if he pleads guilty, or up to six weeks if he defends the charges and is sent down.

Endacott flew in from England at 6am yesterday on a high after his Wigan team kept their 100 per cent record in the Euro Super League with a satisfying 48-6 win over former Warriors boss John Monie's London Broncos.

He was given the bad news and immediately began weighing up the options.

"It's the position we least needed an injury in but we'll get through it," he said. "We always come up with a team to worry the Aussies and Friday will be no different."

There was already plenty of argument among the Australian selectors, let alone the punters, about Johns' ability to play with a groin injury and whether he should be hooker or halfback.

Johns himself said his preference was for half, but would play anywhere in a test jersey.

Kangaroo coach Chris Anderson and doctor Roy Saunders decided yesterday morning that Johns could not make 80 minutes in the demanding defensive position, and he then withdrew, to be replaced by Bulldog Jason Hetherington, who is four games back from a long injury layoff.

There is continuing debate over the omission of Wests Tigers' Terry Hill from the Kangaroo centres in favour of the smaller, less aggressive but probably smarter ball- player in Panther Ryan Girdler.

Sydney Sharks second-rower Chris McKenna makes his debut from the bench. The man nicknamed "Hymie" after the Get Smart robot revealed at the team run yesterday that he was only in the game thanks to a family friend who supplied him with boots.

Brisbane man John Kiely found a sponsor who backed McKenna and his brother when they were 11 and 12 and two of 11 children.

"He told my parents I'd play for Australia one day. It's something I've always kept in the back of my head," McKenna said.

Only rival standoff Anthony Mundine questioned Brad Fittler's selection there.

"It's very hard to beat the golden boy. In reality, I should be in the side. He has never beaten me or outplayed me in the last five years. I have whipped him every time. Is he the benchmark or what?" Mundine said in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Australia: Darren Lockyer or Robbie Ross, Mat Rogers, Ryan Girdler, Shaun Timmins, Wendell Sailor, Brad Fittler (capt), Brett Kimmorley, Jason Smith, Gorden Tallis, Bryan Fletcher, Shane Webcke, Jason Hetherington, Rodney Howe.

Reserves: Jason Stevens, Robbie Kearns, Scott Hill, Chris McKenna.