http://m.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/anzac-test-if-cameron-smith-retired-tomorrow-who-could-succeed-the-kangaroos-skipper/story-fnp0lyn3-1227330451785
Anzac Test: If Cameron Smith retired tomorrow, who could succeed the Kangaroos skipper?
May 1, 2015 11:48pm
Darren LockyerThe Courier-Mail
'We need to hold the ball' says Cameron Smith
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THE next 12 months will be a key transition for the Kangaroos and it is important Australian officials strike the right balance between experience and generational change.
I don’t necessarily agree this Australian team is getting too old for its own good. In the rep arena, big-game know-how cannot be undersold.
But with the World Cup two years away, some form of succession planning must take place and for mine, the biggest single issue confronting the Kangaroos is how to replace Cameron Smith.
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Cameron Smith at Kangaroos training.
It is a multifaceted conundrum. It is not just Smith’s on-field hooking craftsmanship, which is obvious and brilliant, but also the leadership and ambassadorial void he will leave when the skipper is lost to the national team.
In other areas, the Kangaroos are well stocked. Greg Inglis can replace Billy Slater at fullback. Daly Cherry-Evans can cover for Johnathan Thurston and Ben Hunt or Luke Brooks are capable successors at halfback for Cooper Cronk.
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But if Smith retired today, the next skipper and No.9 is not so obvious.
The absence of Smith would force the Kangaroos to put their entire operation under the microscope and assess how they want to play structurally. Would they want a hooker who, like Smith, can play the full 80 minutes? Or would coach Tim Sheens opt for a hooker who can absorb the opening 25 minutes, with the No.14 utility to come on and provide impact at the back end of halves?
This Anzac Test was not the moment to make wholesale changes but next year’s Four Nations tournament will be the right time for new faces to ensure the Kangaroos have the right blend of youth and experience for their World Cup defence in 2017.
Here are the “Magnificent Seven” I believe can one day wear green and gold and inject some fresh blood into the Australian side"
JACKSON BIRD (Sharks): Bird’s game against the Roosters last month, when the Sharks won their first game, convinced me he is a potential star. He reminds me a lot of Test legend Laurie Daley. Laurie was a great running five-eighth and Jackson has that ability. I also like his size and willingness to take on the line. Jackson is a thick-set guy so, like Laurie or Brad Fittler, he could easily play five-eighth or slot into lock. He would be a real handful running on an edge.
DYLAN NAPA (Roosters): Every pack needs an enforcer, a guy who isn’t intimidated, and I see that in Napa. He is no-frills but the one thing that really make him standout is his sheer size. He is an imposing figure with the ability to hurt guys in defence.
JAKE FRIEND (Roosters): Andrew McCullough at the Broncos has long been touted as Smith’s successor, but Jake is now knocking on the door. Smith is so good and so complete that every other hooker seems to be a level lower. I like Friend’s toughness and will be intrigued to see how he makes the jump to Origin and Test football.
MICHAEL MORGAN (Cowboys): Sometimes a guy like Morgan is so versatile it can be to his detriment, but I believe he can be a great utility for Australia. He is a bit like Luke Lewis in the sense that he can handle almost any task and has the size and skill to fill a bench spot.
MATT MOYLAN (Panthers): A class act. I see him as the next long-term fullback to succeed Billy Slater and Greg Inglis. Has great vision, the ability to ball-play and his stint in camp during last year’s Four Nations would have been a vital learning opportunity.
JAMES TEDESCO (Tigers): This guy is a pure excitement machine. Moylan’s presence could keep him out of the fullback role at Test level but I still believe he could have a huge impact from the wing. His speed is lethal and he has the finishing ability to flourish on the flanks.
LUKE BROOKS (Tigers): A special talent. He has a natural confidence and next year, he will be on NSW’s radar for State of Origin. This season is probably a bit early for an Origin baptism but within 12 months, I see Brooks making the jump to rep football. He has a minimum 10-year NRL career ahead of him and it’s only a matter of time before he wears green and gold.
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Anzac Test: If Cameron Smith retired tomorrow, who could succeed the Kangaroos skipper?
May 1, 2015 11:48pm
Darren LockyerThe Courier-Mail
'We need to hold the ball' says Cameron Smith
\
\
THE next 12 months will be a key transition for the Kangaroos and it is important Australian officials strike the right balance between experience and generational change.
I don’t necessarily agree this Australian team is getting too old for its own good. In the rep arena, big-game know-how cannot be undersold.
But with the World Cup two years away, some form of succession planning must take place and for mine, the biggest single issue confronting the Kangaroos is how to replace Cameron Smith.
\
\
Cameron Smith at Kangaroos training.
It is a multifaceted conundrum. It is not just Smith’s on-field hooking craftsmanship, which is obvious and brilliant, but also the leadership and ambassadorial void he will leave when the skipper is lost to the national team.
In other areas, the Kangaroos are well stocked. Greg Inglis can replace Billy Slater at fullback. Daly Cherry-Evans can cover for Johnathan Thurston and Ben Hunt or Luke Brooks are capable successors at halfback for Cooper Cronk.
\
\
But if Smith retired today, the next skipper and No.9 is not so obvious.
The absence of Smith would force the Kangaroos to put their entire operation under the microscope and assess how they want to play structurally. Would they want a hooker who, like Smith, can play the full 80 minutes? Or would coach Tim Sheens opt for a hooker who can absorb the opening 25 minutes, with the No.14 utility to come on and provide impact at the back end of halves?
This Anzac Test was not the moment to make wholesale changes but next year’s Four Nations tournament will be the right time for new faces to ensure the Kangaroos have the right blend of youth and experience for their World Cup defence in 2017.
Here are the “Magnificent Seven” I believe can one day wear green and gold and inject some fresh blood into the Australian side"
JACKSON BIRD (Sharks): Bird’s game against the Roosters last month, when the Sharks won their first game, convinced me he is a potential star. He reminds me a lot of Test legend Laurie Daley. Laurie was a great running five-eighth and Jackson has that ability. I also like his size and willingness to take on the line. Jackson is a thick-set guy so, like Laurie or Brad Fittler, he could easily play five-eighth or slot into lock. He would be a real handful running on an edge.
DYLAN NAPA (Roosters): Every pack needs an enforcer, a guy who isn’t intimidated, and I see that in Napa. He is no-frills but the one thing that really make him standout is his sheer size. He is an imposing figure with the ability to hurt guys in defence.
JAKE FRIEND (Roosters): Andrew McCullough at the Broncos has long been touted as Smith’s successor, but Jake is now knocking on the door. Smith is so good and so complete that every other hooker seems to be a level lower. I like Friend’s toughness and will be intrigued to see how he makes the jump to Origin and Test football.
MICHAEL MORGAN (Cowboys): Sometimes a guy like Morgan is so versatile it can be to his detriment, but I believe he can be a great utility for Australia. He is a bit like Luke Lewis in the sense that he can handle almost any task and has the size and skill to fill a bench spot.
MATT MOYLAN (Panthers): A class act. I see him as the next long-term fullback to succeed Billy Slater and Greg Inglis. Has great vision, the ability to ball-play and his stint in camp during last year’s Four Nations would have been a vital learning opportunity.
JAMES TEDESCO (Tigers): This guy is a pure excitement machine. Moylan’s presence could keep him out of the fullback role at Test level but I still believe he could have a huge impact from the wing. His speed is lethal and he has the finishing ability to flourish on the flanks.
LUKE BROOKS (Tigers): A special talent. He has a natural confidence and next year, he will be on NSW’s radar for State of Origin. This season is probably a bit early for an Origin baptism but within 12 months, I see Brooks making the jump to rep football. He has a minimum 10-year NRL career ahead of him and it’s only a matter of time before he wears green and gold.
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