Australia v NZ NRLCEO Predicted Teams
What would our representative sides look like if the selections were based on NRLCEO points?
Every year we like to analyse who would make the sides if it were based on our stats. It makes for very interesting reading in terms of form and also shows whether the stats that we use are actually relevant to overall skills.
The Australian team would look very different if it were based on NRLCEO points. Only six players make both sides with three of them on the bench.
| NRLCEO Team | Official Team | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Greg Inglis | Billy Slater |
| 2. | Pat Richards | Darius Boyd |
| 3. | Jarryd Hayne | Greg Inglis |
| 4. | Jarrod Croker | Josh Morris |
| 5. | Brett Morris | Brett Morris |
| 6. | Johnathan Thurston | Johnathan Thurston |
| 7. | Ben Hunt | Cooper Cronk |
| 8. | Trent Merrin | Matt Scott |
| 9. | Andrew McCullough | Cameron Smith |
| 10. | Aidan Tolman | James Tamou |
| 11. | Boyd Cordner | Greg Bird |
| 12. | Matt Gillett | Matt Gillett |
| 13. | Corey Parker | Paul Gallen |
| Bench | ||
| 14. | Nathan Peats | Daly Cherry-Evans |
| 15. | Shaun Fensom | Boyd Cordner |
| 16. | Aaron Woods | Corey Parker |
| 17. | Nate Myles | Nate Myles |
How would you feel with a 32 year old Irishman on the wing? He might have form and the public opinion behind him, but it would be laughable to see him line up as one of the two best wingers in the country.
In saying that, as a New South Welshman with a seven series deficit it doesn’t seem so ridiculous when you consider the Blues have selected David Williams, Nathan Merritt, Michael Gordon, Akuila Uate, Matt King, Eric Grothe Jr, Anthony Quinn, Steve Turner, Jarryd Hayne, Brett Morris, James McManus and Blake Ferguson in the last eight years.
Jarrod Croker? Hahahahahaha. Sorry, even as a Raiders fan it just seems as likely as Matt Orford making a comeback and scoring another Audi sponsorship. Solid first grade player with a very accurate kicking radar, but an attacking threat in Test match footy – I think not.
Does Andrew McCullough look out of place in this squad? Maybe now, but once Cam Smith retires he could steal the jersey ahead of Robbie Farah.
It’s quite amazing how our workhorse and point scoring formula constantly shows that some of the best back rowers in the NRL score the highest points. Cordner, Gillett and Parker all make both sides in this instance.
It makes things a little bit more difficult when you have less overall eligible players to pick from, but it’s surprising to see that 13 players make both the NRLCEO and predicted Test sides.
| NRLCEO Team | Expected Team | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Peter Hiku | Peter Hiku |
| 2. | Glen Fisiiahi | Roger Tuivasa-Sheck |
| 3. | Steve Matai | Dean Whare |
| 4. | Shaun Kenny-Dowall | Gerard Beale |
| 5. | Gerard Beale | Jason Nightingale |
| 6. | Isaac John | Isaac John |
| 7. | Shaun Johnson | Shaun Johnson |
| 8. | Jesse Bromwich | Jesse Bromwich |
| 9. | Siliva Havili | Ben Henry |
| 10. | Sam Moa | Sam Moa |
| 11. | Simon Mannering | Simon Mannering |
| 12. | Kevin Proctor | Kevin Proctor |
| 13. | Elijah Taylor | Adam Blair |
| Bench | ||
| 14. | Roger Tuivasa-Sheck | Kenny Bromwich |
| 15. | Adam Blair | Martin Taupau |
| 16. | Martin Taupau | Greg Eastwood |
| 17. | Greg Eastwood | Siliva Havili |
It’s good to see Peter Hiku getting rewarded for his good form. I struggle to see how he can stay at the Sea Eagles for too much longer behind Brett Stewart because as good as he is on the wing, he is wasted there.
Many people would be having a giggle about SKD getting a run in our NRLCEO Test side, but he’s managed to score four tries so far this season and in an unusual twist has been racking up almost more running metres than knock-ons.
Kenny Bromwich is a good example of an effective player, but almost useless workhorse forward. In his favour though is the fact he has barged over for two tries already this season, but he is still half the player his brother is.
Elijah Taylor and Steve Matai made our NRLCEO side, but both are now injured and will be unavailable for the Test.
JB
Latest posts by JB (see all)
- 2022 NRLCEO Position Updates - August 24, 2022
- NRLCEO HQ – No Pride in Manly (Ep #273) - July 27, 2022
- NRLCEO T-Shirt Competition - May 10, 2022
