The 2007 Rugby League Tri-Nations will for the first time this decade be played in Australia and New Zealand. Defending champions New Zealand open the tournament this Saturday when they host Australia in Auckland.
The under-strength Kiwis will again play off their underdog status, missing NRL superstars Sonny Bill Williams and Benji Marshall through injury. However, depth is no longer a problem for New Zealand Rugby League gone are the days when New Zealand had to select NRL reserve graders. Prop forwards Jason Cayless, Ruben Wiki and Roy Asotasi, backed up by the likes of Penrith captain Tony Puletua in the backrow, form the basis of an intimidating forward pack.
The halves are a concern for New Zealand. Veteran halfback Stacey Jones has had more swansongs than John Farnham, but his pride for the Kiwi jersey has never been doubted. An injury to Jones would be a crippling blow for a Kiwi side that desperately needs his guile to unleash a young backline full of great potential.
Great Britain and Ireland are the big unknowns. Scholars of Rugby League believe the standard of their Super League competition has risen greatly in recent years. However, coach Noble continues to stick by players who are scared from many losses to their southern hemisphere rivals.
Led up front by fiery prop forward Stuart Fielden, the British pack, featuring Adrian Morley and captain Jamie Peacock, will be competitive on their day. The NRL experience of the highly respected Morley and Dally M winger of the year Brian Carney will be invaluable. The question for Great Britain remains: Will their young players step up? Debutants James Graham and Kirk Yeaman come highly regarded, the latter leading the Super League try scoring charts mid-season before succumbing to injury.
The key for the Lions will be the form of Leeds five eighth Danny McGuire. Renowned for his line breaking ability and penchant to get across the try line, McGuire is the spark that must fire for the Brits.
The Australian Kangaroos have picked an exciting young squad. Teenagers Karmichael Hunt, Greg Inglis and Jarrod Hayne are likely to fill two spots in the backline. Hayne, if selected, will become the youngest-ever Kangaroos representative. He told www.rlif.org: "I do think I am ready for it. I'm not going to get selected and say that I'm not."
Fresh off guiding Brisbane to the NRL title, the sublimely gifted Darren Lockyer at five eighth will get great service from 2005 Dally M player of the year Jonathon Thurston at half and 2006 player of the year Cameron Smith at hooker. The forwards, led by Willie Mason and Mark O'Meley, will need to dominate their rival packs to unleash the class advantage the Kangaroos have in their halves and outside backs. This, however, will be no easy task, as the Kiwis have proved in recent times that their pack of forwards can easily match that of Australia's.
All will be revealed over the next seven weeks in what shapes as the most exciting international Rugby League series to be played Down Under in recent times.
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