He’s not quite trotting out Dad’s Army, but Australian coach Tim Sheens concedes New Zealand are taking more initiative in developing Test players of the future.
The Kangaroos head into Friday night’s Anzac Test with a distinct edge in experience over their trans-Tasman rivals, an advantage Sheens says Australian selectors need to ensure does not translate into the downfall of the side.
The Australian cricket team had produced graphic evidence of what can happen to a team that is not regularly regenerated as they embark on a rebuilding period – and Sheens fears the Kiwis might be developing a rugby league superpower of the future across the ditch.
“Steve’s (Kiwi coach Steve Kearney) actually building that squad,” Sheens said.
“He made a big call with changing the captaincy.
“He knows he’s got people like (Sonny Bill) Williams to come back into the squad and (Benji) Marshall, and he’s experimented and moved a lot of young players through that squad over the last 18 months.
“That’s preparing for a World Cup.”
The Kiwi side that will run out on Friday night has an average age of 24, with Frank Pritchard the oldest at 29.
The Australians conversely have an average age of 28, with three players over 30.
By the time the World Cup rolls around in October, that number will swell to eight over 30.
The youngest member of the Australian squad is Kiwi-born James Tamou at 24, while 10 members of the New Zealand 17 are 24 or younger, and Tohu Harris (21) and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (19) are also part of the 19-man squad.
“We’re the other stage; a mature side that we’ve got to be careful just whether that tips over where that maturity is too mature,” Sheens said of the Australians.
“We’ve got to look at that as well.
“At the moment, I’m comfortable that this group is playing well … not one of these players you could say is having a shocker, an average season.”
Asked if he would look to bring in younger players into the side, Sheens said: “The World Cup might include some younger players.
“I’m not going to predict that.
“I’m not going to take anyone because they’re young. What I’m going to take is some people in good form.
“The 30-year-olds can still hold out a chance to play.”
