Darren Lockyer Rested For Final

[Aeetee]

http://www.broncos.com.au/default.aspx? ... -for-final

Darren Lockyer Rested For Final
Trad McLean
4/11/2010 9:21:53 AM

DARREN Lockyer will be rested against New Zealand this Saturday but Sam Thaiday has the opportunity to cement his spot for the Four Nations Final.

Australian coach Tim Sheens left his captain out for the dead rubber at Eden Park, with the Kangaroos and Kiwis already assured of a place in the Suncorp Stadium final on November 13.

Todd Carney gets his first Test jersey at five-eighth, with Chris Lawrence, Matt Scott and Dean Young also to make their Test debuts.

Darius Boyd also gets a run for the first time this tournament at fullback, with Billy Slater resting.

Cameron Smith will take over Lockyer’s captaincy duties.

Australia: Darius Boyd, Brett Morris, Brent Tate, Chris Lawrence, Lote Tuqiri, Todd Carney, Cooper Cronk, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith (capt), Dave Shillington, Greg Bird, Sam Thaiday, Paul Gallen. Interchange: Dean Young, Petero Civoniceva, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Robbie Farah, Kurt Gidley.

 

[ningnangnong]

Thaiday shouldn't need to 'cement' his spot, it should already be cemented.

 

[Coxy]

Dumb decision IMO. Australia can't afford to give NZ a psychological advantage and should go into the game at full strength. Locky is instrumental to that. He and Cronk still haven't got their mojo together and need another hit out against tough opposition to get it right.

Carney might do very well, but what's the point if he's not going to play in the final?

Just another example of Sheens being a fucktard.

What he should've done is drop Gidley, put Carney on the bench, and have a view to resting Lockyer during the second half.

 

[ningnangnong]

Is it just me, or is it a bit ridiculous that we're playing New Zealand on Saturday and then in the final? [icon_confu

 

[QUEENSLANDER]

Why is the title of the article and thread "rested for final" when he has only been rested for this match so far?

 

[Flutterby]

Agree with you Coxy - stupid move. Seems Sheens has given in to media pressure to "give everyone in the squad a run at some point." I absolutely do not agree with that sentiment and believe you should send out your best available team each and every time. For mine doing this devalues the Australian jersey a bit.

 

[Coxy]

Is it just me, or is it a bit ridiculous that we're playing New Zealand on Saturday and then in the final? [icon_confu

Yeah, shit scheduling. Should've had Australia vs NZ or England first, and NZ vs England in the last round. That way, most likely, NZ and England would be playing for a place in the final.

 

[Flutterby]

Is it just me, or is it a bit ridiculous that we're playing New Zealand on Saturday and then in the final? [icon_confu

Not just you Ning, I said to Tee last week that whoever did the scheduling was clearly an idiot. The most likely scenario was always going to be Aust vs NZ Grand Final, so they should have been scheduled to play their round match first up so as not to have this crazy situation playing each other 2 weeks in a row.

 

[pennywisealfie]

Good to hear

 

[Russo]

According to the Foxsports story both Locky and Slater are not being rested but have been DROPPED by Sheens

Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens has dropped fullback Billy Slater and captain Darren Lockyer to make way for Darius Boyd as custodian and new International Player of the Year Todd Carney at five-eighth, with Cameron Smith taking over as skipper.

Sheens said the selections were merit-based and not because the Eden Park match is a dead rubber with with the two unbeaten teams set to meet again in the final in Brisbane.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/...ng-for-kangaroos/story-fn488j1c-1225947645456

For Sheens sake I hope he has been misquoted because if this is true he is an embarassment to the game dropping the National captain in addition to Slater who has done nothing wrong in the first 2 games. Boyd for mine wshould be in the side but at the expense of Sheens favourite Lote who has done nothing outstanding to date.

 

[Flutterby]

I also hope for his sake that he's been mis-quoted. Merit-based???? Seriously???!!! That is saying Lockyer has been woefully out of form.

 

[ethos]

Is it just me, or is it a bit ridiculous that we're playing New Zealand on Saturday and then in the final? [icon_confu

Not just you Ning, I said to Tee last week that whoever did the scheduling was clearly an idiot. The most likely scenario was always going to be Aust vs NZ Grand Final, so they should have been scheduled to play their round match first up so as not to have this crazy situation playing each other 2 weeks in a row.

Bingo. I've been saying the same thing as well. Imagine a competitive Aussie v NZ game to open the tournament, more hype, more publicity and probably better ticket sales and ratings for the games further on in the comp.

Interesting move from Sheens to rest so many though, but I reckon whoever loses this week will win in the final for sure. 8-)

 

[Alec]

Sheens is retarded. Lol at Chris Lawrence being selected too, hopefully it means that he's a walk into the NSW side.

 

[Kimlo]

Is it just me, or is it a bit ridiculous that we're playing New Zealand on Saturday and then in the final? [icon_confu

Not just you Ning, I said to Tee last week that whoever did the scheduling was clearly an idiot. The most likely scenario was always going to be Aust vs NZ Grand Final, so they should have been scheduled to play their round match first up so as not to have this crazy situation playing each other 2 weeks in a row.

I think it's great TBH. They have both have a few games to get into form so we should get two great games. I'm happy it has turned out this way.

 

[QUEENSLANDER]

good lord we couldnt have someone taking lockyers place! especially not the out of form carney who has been dreadful all year.


</sarcasm>

 

[Foordy]

why do Slater and Lockyer need to be rested... Slater hadn't played any footy for 6 weeks prior to this tournament and Lockyer for 10 weeks :roll: seems to me that they are both well rested

 

[Anonymous person]

good lord we couldnt have someone taking lockyers place! especially not the out of form carney who has been dreadful all year.


</sarcasm>

especially not with Lockyers great form over the last month of the regular season and then the finals series.....

 

[mrslong]

If he's dropped Slater on form then he needs to retire immediately.