Late News Scraps

May 9th, 2008

The mother of all battles is hoping for the father of all crowds but will it get it at the historic SCG on Friday night?

Kiwi five-eighth Ben Roberts has been ruled out of Friday’s centenary test match. It's believed that some New Zealand fans may need counselling.

The Traitor

Kiwi five-eighth Ben Roberts has been ruled out of Friday’s centenary test match against Australia.

It's believed that some New Zealand fans may need counselling.

The 22-year-old Canterbury Bulldogs star picked up a hamstring injury on Thursday night but extensive physiotherapy proved unsuccessful in healing it in time.

In other bad news for the 2005 Tri-Nations champions, Australian five-eighth Jonathan Thurston has passed a fitness test on an injured ankle and is expected to play.

The world of go-karting is still in disbelief that Storm halfback Cooper Cronk remains on standby for the Kangaroos.

GRL understands tonight's game could be a sell-out if a magic genie jumps out of a bottle and grants the organisers one wish.

Australia V New Zealand

Friday May 9^th, 8:00pm

Sydney Cricket Ground:

Referee: Ashley Klein (UK)

Traitors Tip: Australia by 700

Australia: Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Mark Gasnier, Justin Hodges, Israel Folau, Greg Bird, Johnathan Thurston, Brent Kite, Cameron Smith (c), Petero Civoniceva, Paul Gallen, Ryan Hoffman, Michael Crocker. Interchange: Carl Webb, Anthony Tupou, Willie Mason, Kurt Gidley. Coach: Ricky Stuart.

New Zealand: Brent Webb, Jason Nightingale, Setaimata Sa, Iosia Soliola, Sam Perrett, Ben Roberts, Thomas Leuluai, Roy Asotasi (c), Issac Luke, Nathan Cayless, Sonny Bill Williams, Simon Mannering, David Fa'alogo. Interchange: Jeremy Smith, Dene Halatau, Adam Blair, Frank Pritchard Coach: Stephen Kearney