Webb, Thurston (Aust) Cashmere (City) Harris (Country)

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Webb wins Test spot
JOSH ALSTON

JOHNATHAN Thurston won the halfback battle with Scott Prince for Australia Centenary Test team selection yesterday but the big surprise was the inclusion of Cowboys prop Carl Webb on the bench.
The barnstorming forward was in the frame to earn Test selection in 2006 and again in 2007 but was cut down both times through injury.
But after a devastating run of form over the past month selectors were given little choice but to pick him for the May 9 Test with Melbourne's Brett White and Gold Coast's Anthony Laffranchi overlooked.
Webb joins fullback Billy Slater and Sharks enforcer Paul Gallen as the debutants in the team.
Australia coach Ricky Stewart yesterday said he had complete confidence in the Dalby product who has played 11 games for Queensland in State of Origin but never for his country.
"They'll certainly have a team willing to play for New Zealand and we have to try and better that," he said.
"Every player that I've picked over my short term as Australian coach has had the attitude of wanting to play for the jersey and I think that's really important.
"Not knowing Carl Webb but knowing what other players think of him I think he'll certainly step up to that challenge."
Cowboys chief executive Peter Parr was not surprised to learn of Webb's selection yesterday and said the Test arena would more than suit his aggressive style.
"I always thought he would be in the frame given that I think I know the sort of player that the selectors would be looking for in a Test match and I think his game's made for Test football," Parr said.
"I was hoping that they wouldn't forget about him and he's been on the brink the last couple of years, only injuries have stopped him previously so it wasn't a great shock to me.
"I thought it was an appropriate selection to be perfectly honest.
"There's no doubt the way he plays (suits) Test football.
"It's a no-holds-barred arena and it's an arena where you don't give an inch."
Thurston will partner captain Darren Lockyer in the halves after fighting off a strong challenge from Titan Prince as well as the incumbent Cooper Cronk.
Parr said the Cowboys skipper's battle to prove his form and fitness after dual shoulder reconstructions during the off-season could not be taking lightly.
"I don't think what Johnathan's done to reclaim his Test jersey should be underestimated," he said.
"What he's had to endure over the off-season with all the surgery that he's had, coming back from two reconstructions and having Cronk and Prince snapping at his heels, it's been an absolutely outstanding effort by him.
"He's not been given enough credit for coming back the way he has from that surgery and announcing that he's the best halfback and the best player in the competition. He deserves that jersey and all credit to him for the way he's come back. It's been an unbelievable effort."
Seven changes were made to the side that beat the Kiwis 58-0 last year with Lockyer, Slater, Gallen, Webb, Justin Hodges, Thurston and Anthony Tupou added to the team. Brett Stewart, Jarryd Hayne, Nathan Hindmarsh, Cronk, Dallas Johnson and Michael Crocker were omitted while Warriors prop Steve Price was unavailable due to injury.

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City picks Cashmere
JOSH ALSTON

SELECTORS GIVE CASHMERE JUMPER ... powerhouse Cowboys prop Ray Cashmere, who has been selected to represent City Origin, at team recovery yesterday


DON'T try to tell Cowboys prop Ray Cashmere that the annual New South Wales City versus Country game means nothing.
The Campbelltown-born colossus realised a boyhood dream yesterday when he was picked for his first ever representative team, winning a spot in the NSW City squad.
An emotional Cashmere could not hold back his joy at getting the chance to play alongside some of the biggest names in the game such as Braith Anasta, Jarryd Hayne and Mark O'Meley.
"I'm sort of a bit shocked, very happy and pretty emotional to be honest," he said yesterday.
"I've never made a rep team, even as a junior I never made junior rep teams or anything.
"This sort of game probably doesn't hold much interest to Queensland people but for me it's a pretty big deal and I'm pretty excited."
The selection came as a bolt from the blue for Cashmere who only announced himself as a regular first-grader last year as a 27-year-old.
He played 24 games for the Cowboys last season and has been enjoying career-best form this year with his damaging partnership with Carl Webb in the front row.
And although he didn't believe representative honours were beyond his reach, he did concede his age would probably work against him.
"I don't know about (whether the opportunity had) passed because I've never put myself in a position to be selected for something like this before, having never really been a consistent first-grader," he said.
"I thought it was an opportunity I might have been too old for because there's a lot of young props running around.
"It's just hard to think of yourself as a representative player, I'm just starting to get my head around being a first-grader.
"As I said I'm just pretty excited, it's going to be an experience I've never had . . . I'm just going to try and enjoy the week.
"I'll just try to relish it and try to learn as much as I can from the other players and enjoy the experience."
Cashmere was the only Cowboy to gain selection in the clash with second-rower and Dapto junior Steve Southern unlucky to miss out on Country selection.
Cashmere will fly to Sydney this morning to join his teammates for the clash in Wollongong on Friday night.

NSW City Origin team: Brett Hodgson, Jarryd Hayne, Ben Pomeroy, Brett Delaney, Luke Rooney, Braith Anasta, Mitchell Pearce, Jason King, Corey Hughes, Mark O'Meley, Luke Lewis, Mark Minichiello, John Sutton.
Interchange: Bryce Gibbs, Ray Cashmere, Feleti Mateo, Peter Wallace.

NSW Country Origin team: Brett Stewart, Joel Monaghan, Jamie Lyon, Matt Cooper, Anthony Quinn, Todd Carney, Brett Finch, Brett White, Danny Buderus (c), Anthony Laffranchi, Nathan Hindmarsh, Andrew Ryan, Craig Fitzgibbon. Interchange: Ben Cross, Chris Heighington, Brett Kearney, Glenn Stewart.

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Big Ray well done and well deserved selection.

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Go get 'em Big Charlie

[Maroon_Faithful]

Congrats to Charlie...

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Debutants cast off past heartaches
By Steve Mascord

The Daily Telegraph

CARL Webb last night spoke of realising a life-long ambition while Billy Slater admitted family members had been reduced to tears by his Centenary Test selection. For the Cowboys prop, the Storm fullback and fellow debutant Paul Gallen, of the Sharks, a haze of injury and suspension lifted when coach Ricky Stuart uttered their names just before 6pm.
Webb's run of outs when it comes to national selection strongly suggest a voodoo curse.
In 2005, he was suspended for punching new teammate Ryan Hoffman and missed the Tri-Nations. The next year he missed the triangular tournament with a torn medial ligament. Last season it was a broken jaw that ruled him out of the Anzac Test and a calf tear that rendered him unavailable for the one-off international against the Kiwis.
"To tell you the truth, I wasn't expecting anything," Webb told The Daily Telegraph from his home in Townsville.
"I had my fingers crossed like anybody else. This is something I've always aspired to, it's something that's eluded me. I'm stoked. Everyone has a run of injuries but I suppose I've had them at a bad time. It's especially great to be picked in a team with so many stars, such a quality team."
Slater - who missed Origin with a fractured eye-socket last year and suspension the season before - learned of his first Test cap in the team bus, travelling from Melbourne airport into town following the long trip home from Townsville.
"My mum and dad and my sister have always supported me, they've ridden my career as much as me," said the scorer of 11 tries since the start of the pre-season.
"My mum's in tears and my dad is pretty happy as well."
He said he was never really concerned that a poke in the eye on Saturday night in the 12-10 win over North Queensland could cost him his first Test jumper.
"With 20 minutes to go, I thought I could go back on but the coach wouldn't let me," he said.
Gallen missed the October Test in 2007 with injury and only returned from suspension yesterday.
Webb said he was "laying low" last night. Gallen wasn't saying anything at all.

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Carl Webb to face Kiwis
Cameron Laird

SURPRISE pick ... North Queensland Cowboy Carl Webb has been chosen for the national side to play New Zealand. / The Courier-Mail

THE big time has arrived for Charlie Webb, with the Cowboys enforcer pitched into his maiden Test as Australia readies itself to go to "war" with New Zealand. Webb was the shock selection last night in Ricky Stuart's team for the May 9 Centenary Test as his nightmare run of representative outs finally ended.
An emotional Webb was in tears when told of his elevation to national honours. He will be one of two debutants on Friday week, with Melbourne fullback Billy Slater's irresistible form also rewarded.
Webb had barely rated a mention in the lead-up to last night's announcement, but Stuart said his aggressive style would be required against a Kiwi side inspired by new coach Stephen Kearney.
"We're going to be moving into a real battle and a real war, and that's what Carl Webb is made for," Stuart said.
"It's a big challenge that lays ahead of us . . . they will certainly have the team wanting to play for New Zealand.
"We have to try and better that. Every player that I have picked over my short term as Australian coach has had the attitude of wanting to play for the Australian jersey."
Webb admitted it was an honour he feared would never be achieved after a horror run of injuries and suspension.
"To tell you the truth I wasn't expecting it," Webb said "I had my fingers crossed just like everybody else, but it is something that has always eluded me.
"This is something I've always wanted to achieve and it is even more special being involved in a team with so many stars, such a quality side."
Webb's manager Sam Ayoub said his star had initially turned off his phone after receiving the news because he had been in tears. Cowboys coach Graham Murray described Webb's selection as "great recognition" for the man and the club.
"He's been talked about before as a Test player and he's had his hopes up," Murray said. "His early-season form boosted his chances and he's deserved this honour. I haven't seen him yet but I'm sure he's over the moon. We all set goals and this was one of his."
In other selection news:
• Darren Lockyer and Johnathan Thurston won back their places in the halves.
• Storm duo Greg Inglis and Israel Folau are on the wings.
• Established backrowers Nathan Hindmarsh, Andrew Ryan and Michael Crocker were all overlooked, as was in-form Titan Anthony Laffranchi.
Ryan Hoffman and Paul Gallen were named in the backrow with Anthony Tupou and Webb on the bench.
Stuart said Lockyer had convinced him his troublesome right knee could survive the rigours of Test football.
Lockyer's selection earned immediate praise from his key lieutenants.
"It would have been nice to captain Australia again," hooker Cameron Smith said
"But I'd much rather see a bloke out there with Lockyer on the back of his jersey. He is a great player and you want him in any representative team you play in."
Thurston, who withstood a strong challenge from Cooper Cronk and Scott Prince to regain his Test jumper, said he was looking forward to reuniting with Lockyer.
"I only saw a bit of his game the other night, but he looked pretty good," Thurston said.

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Enforcer ... Carl Webb adds starch to Australia's pack. Adam Head

Webb fights Test tears

By Brent Read and Dan Koch

CARL Webb is regarded as one of the game's toughest characters, but the North Queensland forward was close to tears last night after being selected to make his Australia debut against New Zealand.
Webb was one of seven changes to the side which thrashed the Kiwis last October and one of three debutants named for the May 9 Centenary Test against New Zealand at the SCG. The others were Melbourne fullback Billy Slater and Cronulla backrower Paul Gallen.
The 108kg Cowboys forward received the news via his uncle Ken, the phone call signalling the culmination of a dream which began when Webb was a six-year-old in Dalby in Queensland's Darling Downs.
"I was pretty emotional," Webb told The Australian.
"I was just out to dinner and I got a call from my uncle. I didn't even know what to say. My stomach was churning. It's an amazing feeling, you know. This is a dream come true."
Webb was the bolter in coach Ricky Stuart's 17-man squad.
After an ordinary start to the year, the 27-year-old has hit his straps with the Cowboys over the past month, a reward for the extra work he did on his fitness during the pre-season.
Stuart admitted Webb's aggression - he is regarded as one of the most intimidating players in the competition - had been a major factor in his inclusion.
The Kangaroos coach is expecting New Zealand, under Melbourne Storm assistant Stephen Kearney and Brisbane super coach Wayne Bennett, to be a different proposition to the side which was thrashed 58-0 in Wellington at the end of last season.
"It's a big challenge that lies ahead of us," Stuart said.
"I think Carl Webb is suited to the challenge that lies ahead. We're going to be moving into a real battle, a real war.
"We have to try to better that.
"Not knowing Carl Webb, but knowing what other players think of him, I think he's going to step up to that challenge."
While Webb's selection came as a surprise, Slater's promotion to Test football was widely touted and just reward for an outstanding start to the season.
His elevation to international status meant Test incumbent, Manly fullback Brett Stewart, was named in the Country side, which was also selected yesterday.
Stuart said the selectors received a positive injury report on Slater, who suffered an eye problem during his side's win over North Queensland on Saturday night in Townsville, and expected him to be fit to make his Test debut in two weeks.
"There are a number of great fullbacks in our game and for Billy to get selected in that position shows he's the elite at the moment," Stuart said.
"I'm excited for Billy Slater because it's probably been on his mind. For him to be able to handle that constant speculation, it's a credit to him."
Slater, who received a finger in his right eye from Australia half-back Johnathan Thurston, will visit a specialist in Melbourne today.
However, the Storm's high performance unit manager Mary Toomey said it was only a precautionary measure.
Slater damaged the nerve that controls the eye's ability to open in the first half and spent the remainder of the match on Saturday night watching from the sideline with a towel over his eye.
"It swelled significantly and he had a fair bit of bleeding in the tissue," Toomey said. "He couldn't open the eyelid at all.
"It was bizarre. It started to come back after about 30 minutes. By this morning it was normal again."
Asked about the visit to the specialist, Toomey said: "There's no drama - it's just ticking the boxes."
While Slater and Webb were delighted with their inclusion, Stuart made special mention of two players overlooked - Parramatta forward Nathan Hindmarsh and Melbourne forward Michael Crocker.
Hindmarsh was named in the Country side but will need to play well in ensuing weeks to retain his place in the NSW side given the form of several other backrowers, notably Gold Coast forward Anthony Laffranchi.
"I feel very sorry for two people - one, Nathan Hindmarsh who has been with me ever since I started my representative coaching career," Stuart said.
"I think the poor form from the club in losing a couple of games hasn't helped Nathan because I know you can throw any jumper on Nathan and he would rise to the occasion.
"Michael Crocker as well, he can feel very unlucky."
Stuart said Laffranchi was another player who went close to winning his first Test jumper.
Crocker will get the chance to press his claims for World Cup selection later in the year via the State of Origin series, with the Storm firebrand regarded as a certainty for the Queensland team.
Not surprisingly, captain Darren Lockyer was named at five-eighth while Thurston was selected at half-back, holding off the challenge of in-form Titans skipper Scott Prince.
St George Illawarra centre Mark Gasnier was selected despite only making his return from a calf injury last weekend, as was Gallen, who made his return from a three-week suspension in Cronulla's loss to Wests Tigers at Toyota Stadium yesterday.

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Country's backline decimated

NEW South Wales Country have been dealt a triple blow, with star backs Brett Stewart, Jamie Lyon and Matt Cooper all ruled out of Friday night's clash with City.
Full-back Stewart (calf), and the centre pairing of Lyon (personal reasons) and Cooper (back) were all scratched at Monday morning's medical.

Cronulla's Brett Kearney moves from the bench to full-back, while Joel Monaghan shifts from the wing to the centres. His centre partner will be North Queensland's Ben Harris.

Sydney Roosters' Amos Roberts comes into the side on the wing while St George Illawarra utility Ben Hornby comes onto the bench.

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Diehard earns a jersey


Former Dalby Diehards player Carl Webb will make his Test debut against New Zealand.

Australian coach Ricky Stuart has called in some of rugby league's toughest enforcers for a Centenary Test he claims will be a "war" as New Zealand look to regain international credibility. Wary of a scorned Kiwi side with new coach Stephen Kearney at the helm, Stuart has surprisingly made seven changes to his team which thumped New Zealand 58-0 last October for the May 9 clash at the SCG.
Head of those changes is the Test debuts handed to North Queensland and former Dalby Diehards firebrand Carl Webb, Cronulla forward Paul Gallen and Melbourne fullback Billy Slater.
While Slater's exceptional NRL form simply could not be overlooked, it was the selections of Webb and Gallen which signalled the Australians' intention not to be bullied by a resurgent Kiwis outfit.
Gallen joins Cronulla bash brother Greg Bird and Melbourne's rampaging Ryan Hoffman in an imposing new-look backrow after incumbent 'workers' Dallas Johnson of the Storm and Eels stalwart Nathan Hindmarsh were dumped.
"We're going to be moving into a real battle and a real war," said Stuart.
"It's a big challenge that lays ahead of us in regard to I think the new foundation and coaching staff and credibility they have to get back in the New Zealand squad.
"They will certainly have the team wanting to play for New Zealand.
"We have to try and better that. Every player that I have picked over my short term as Australian coach has had the attitude of wanting to play for the Australian jersey.
Brisbane champion Darren Lockyer won his battle with a knee injury to return as captain at five-eighth while former All Whites player Johnathan Thurston (shoulder) and centre Justin Hodges (hamstring) were also reinstated after missing last year's clash with injuries.

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Dowling keen to congratulate Carl Webb

Batten down the hatches - two of the hardest men in rugby league are set to go head-to-head.
One of Carl Webb's harshest critics - former Test prop Greg Dowling - says he wants to meet the North Queensland forward face-to-face.
But Dowling says he simply wants to congratulate the Cowboys enforcer on his Test selection.
Webb was a surprise inclusion for Australia's Centenary Test clash with New Zealand at the SCG on May 9.
Webb abused Dowling on the phone then hung up on him after the former Broncos prop slammed the North Queensland big man in his newspaper column early this season.
A week later a fired-up Webb began a form resurgence that was rewarded on Sunday with a maiden Test jersey.
Dowling said he would seek out Webb "in the coming weeks" to wish the feared Cowboy well.
"I haven't spoken to him since the phone call but I will make a point of seeing him - anyone who gets a Test jumper deserves to be congratulated," Dowling told AAP.
But Dowling doesn't expect the encounter to be pretty, judging by past experience.
Dowling said it should be similar to the reception he received from Dane Carlaw after claiming the then-Broncos backrower "looked like Tarzan, played like Jane".
"He (Webb) will have a dig at me because his pride was hurt, same as when I ran into Carlaw," he said.
"Dane was a bit apprehensive but I said to him `that's the way it goes but you've shown what you can do, put your head down and go for it'.
"I'll say the same thing to Charlie (Webb).
"If he (Webb) doesn't want to talk to me, I can live with that."
Dowling maintained that he was Webb's "biggest fan" and only fired a rocket up the Cowboys forward to get the best out of him.
But he wasn't taking credit for Webb's remarkable form turnaround.
"Of course not. He's done it himself, particularly in the last game (12-10 loss to premiers Melbourne) - that was the toughest I have seen the North Queensland defence," he said.
"I'm rapt for him, honestly. He's achieved a goal.
"Once he gets a taste for it he should grow an arm and a leg. That's what happens when you get your first Test jumper."
But Dowling did have one complaint about the Test team - the snubbing of Gold Coast backrower Anthony Laffranchi.
Despite helping the Titans to the top of the NRL table, the in-form Laffranchi missed out.
"How the hell did Laffranchi not get over the line," Dowling said.
Laffranchi's only consolation was making the NSW Country team to play City at Wollongong on Friday night.

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Representative call-up for Cowboys

The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys camp received a boost yesterday when a number of players were selected for representative duties.
Johnathan Thurston was recalled to the half back position for Australia after having two shoulder reconstructions in the off-season.
Carl Webb will make his debut for Australia off the bench in the Centenary Test on 9 May.
Webb was delighted with the news of the call up.
"I’m a bit different – I concentrate a bit more on club level, because I know if I'm playing consistently at club level it will give me the best opportunity to represent at Origin and now at test level," Webb said.
"Just watching [test matches] over the last few years has been exciting and to be a part of the contest against the Kiwis is just great."
In other selections, Cowboys prop Ray Cashmere has been rewarded for some strong performances with selection in the NSW City team, while centre Ben Harris will run on for the Country team on Friday in Wollongong.

Pictured: Johnathan Thurston and Carl Webb team up in last Saturday night's clash against the Storm.

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Webb catches war cry
© The Cairns Post

Webb cam: Cowboys hardman Carl Webb’s on-field aggression was replaced with emotion when he was named in the Centenary Test team.

AN emotional Carl Webb has promised to deliver on Australian coach Ricky Stuart's call for "war" as the Kangaroos gear up for a potentially-explosive Centenary Test against New Zealand.
The North Queensland firebrand was the biggest surprise in the Australian team with Stuart set to unleash Webb’s aggressiveness and intimidation on the Test football field for the first time on May 9.
Webb has filled the hard man role for Queensland in Origin battles since 2001 and after admitting to feeling "emotional" after hearing of his debut Test call-up, vowed to do the same for Stuart and the Kangaroos.
"I’ve had the experience at Origin level, obviously not at Test level, but if Ricky has selected me for a job, I’ll do it to the best of my ability," Webb said.
"(Being named) was obviously a very proud moment and a little bit emotional – it’s the highest honour you can have in the game.
"I always enjoy a contest, but definitely playing against the Kiwis, just watching it over the last few years has been exciting, so to be a part of it now and to be in the contest against the Kiwis, it is exciting."
Captain Darren Lockyer said Australia was capable of fighting fire with fire at the SCG next month.
"Whenever you play New Zealand it’s always a physical contest," Lockyer said when asked the motive behind selecting enforcer Webb and Cronulla backrow duo Paul Gallen and Greg Bird.
"Guys like Petero (Civoniceva) have been there for a long time and done it well and then you’ve got the aggression coming off the bench with Carl Webb.
"You need to fight fire with fire.
"Carl’s been about for a number of years without getting a Test jersey so I’m very pleased for him and I’m sure he’ll do very well."
Lockyer, who cast aside concerns over his right knee after playing 80 minutes of football for the first time last weekend since surgery on his knee last year, said the make-up of Australia’s pack left no doubt the Kangaroos could handle themselves against the Kiwis.
"Guys have obviously been rewarded for their performance last year in the Test match at the end of the season and some that have been there for a while and have been shown loyalty," Lockyer said.
Lockyer will feel right at home in an Australian backline dominated by Queenslanders.
St George Illawarra centre Mark Gasnier is the only non-Maroon in a backline which includes debutant Billy Slater who Lockyer said "has been on fire" this season.

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Dowling praises Townsville tyro Webb

Greg Dowling



ONE of Carl Webb's harshest critics, former Test prop Greg Dowling, wants to meet the North Queensland forward face-to-face.
Dowling said he wanted to congratulate the Cowboys prop on his Test selection.
Webb abused Dowling on the phone then hung up on him after the former Broncos prop slammed the North Queensland big man in a newspaper column early this season.
A week later a fired-up Webb began a form resurgence that was rewarded on Sunday with a maiden Test jersey.
Dowling said he would seek out Webb `in the coming weeks' to wish the Cowboy well.
"I haven't spoken to him since the phone call but I will make a point of seeing him – anyone who gets a Test jumper deserves to be congratulated," Dowling said.
Dowling said it should be similar to the reception he received from Dane Carlaw after claiming the then-Broncos back-rower `looked like Tarzan, played like Jane'.
"He (Webb) will have a dig at me because his pride was hurt, same as when I ran into Carlaw," he said.
"Dane was a bit apprehensive but I said to him `that's the way it goes but you've shown what you can do, put your head down and go for it'.
"I'll say the same thing to Charlie (Webb)."

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Injury sees Ben Harris called into NSW Country side

COUNTRY boy ... North Queensland centre Ben Harris has been called up to the NSW Country side for Friday night's clash with City. / News Limited picture

NORTH Queensland centre Ben Harris has been called up to NSW Country side after injury rocked the side just days out of the season's opening representative clash. NSW Country has been dealt a triple blow with star backs Brett Stewart, Jamie Lyon and Matt Cooper all ruled out of Friday night's clash with City.
Fullback Stewart (calf), and the centre pairing of Lyon (personal reasons) and Cooper (back) were all scratched at this morning's medical.
Cronulla's Brett Kearney moves from the bench to fullback while Joel Monaghan shifts from the wing to the centres.
His centre partner will be North Queensland's Harris.
The Sydney Roosters' Amos Roberts comes into the side on the wing while St George Illawarra utility Ben Hornby comes onto the bench.
Meanwhile, prop Jason King has been ruled out of the NSW City side.
The Manly front-rower was scratched at this morning's medical with an ankle injury suffered in Saturday's win over the Bulldogs.
Parramatta's Chad Robinson has been called into the squad with a decision yet to be made on who will replace King in the run-on side.

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NSW City and Country teams for Friday's Origin rugby league match at WIN Stadium, Wollongong, after changes made on Monday April 28.

NSW City: Brett Hodgson (capt), Jarryd Hayne, Ben Pomeroy, Brett Delaney, Luke Rooney, Braith Anasta, Mitchell Pearce, Mark O'Meley, Corey Hughes, Bryce Gibbs, Luke Lewis, Mark Minichiello, John Sutton. Interchange: Chad Robinson, Ray Cashmere, Feleti Mateo, Peter Wallace.

NSW Country: Brett Kearney, Amos Roberts, Joel Monaghan, Ben Harris, Anthony Quinn, Todd Carney, Brett Finch, Brett White, Danny Buderus (capt), Anthony Laffranchi, Nathan Hindmarsh, Andrew Ryan, Craig Fitzgibbon. Interchange: Ben Cross, Chris Heighington, Ben Hornby, Glenn Stewart.

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Test recall so special for Thurston
ANTONY STEWART

Johnathan Thurston


COWBOY Johnathan Thurston yesterday rated his Australia Test team call-up on Sunday almost on par with the first time he was told he would wear the green and gold.
Despite being well established in the international arena, the halfback has overcome incredible obstacles to reclaim his Test place in 2008, making his selection as sweet as ever.
Thurston was not expected to be back playing until round five following dual shoulder reconstitutions in the off-season, but defied the odds to play in round one.
It marked the Cowboys' second remarkable comeback with Ben Harris justifying his decision to return from England by being named in the New South Wales Country Origin team yesterday.
Harris joins St George Illawarra's Ben Hornby and the Roosters' Amos Roberts as injury replacements for Dragon Matt Cooper and Manly's Jamie Lyon and Brett Stewart.
After losing his Test jumper to Cooper Cronk due to injury last year, Thurston admitted winning back his place had been a major motivator during his rehabilitation.
But he had at least partially braced himself for missing out on Friday week's clash with New Zealand and said he had done his best not to think about the announcement of the team.
So when he got the call on Sunday he could hardly contain his excitement.
"When you first get picked, your debut is pretty special, but to come (back) from two shoulder reconstitutions – it's been a lot of hard work over the last six months – so I am very proud to be named in the Test team," Thurston, 25, said.
"I didn't know whether I would be (picked in) this one this early or for the World Cup (in October), so I am just glad to be there and hopefully I kick on from here."
Thurston said the honour of being picked was even greater knowing he had beaten out Melbourne Storm incumbent Cronk and in-form Gold Coast captain Scott Prince.
"There was a fair bit of pressure with the halfbacks running around and to come out on top, I am very happy and proud of it," he said.
As pleased as Thurston was for himself, it was clear he was also relishing the chance of running out for Australia alongside Cowboys enforcer Carl Webb.
The prop was named on the bench for the clash with the Kiwis, with coach Ricky Stuart saying he hoped to use Webb to counter the expected physical barrage from the Kiwis.
Webb, who will make his Test debut, said he would be ready to answer the call.
"I have had the experience at Origin level, obviously not at Test level, but if (Stuart) selected me for a job then I will do it to the best of my ability," he said.
"It's always a physical and intimidating game (playing New Zealand) and obviously nothing is going to be different (next Friday), it's going to be a huge game."

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True journeyman gets his belated reward
Glenn Jackson

IN THE course of his two separate careers, Ray Cashmere has had one ultimate goal. "It's my first rep jumper at any level and I'm rapt," he said this week. "I remember when I was playing premier league and I was just hoping to make the second-grade City side - I never made that and I thought back then, 'I wish I could make that'. So yeah, this is a bit of a bloody pleasant surprise."
Nine years after his first-grade debut, Cashmere will make his representative equivalent tonight at WIN Stadium for City, giving the front-rower the title as one of the game's ultimate late bloomers.
Cashmere has been around this game so long he debuted under Tommy Raudonikis at Western Suburbs - days as black as their jerseys for the Magpies.
But he has finally emerged to at least place himself on the shelf for State of Origin pickings. Both his current coach, Graham Murray, as well as his former one in Tim Sheens (coincidentally coaching the City side) believe he would do the Blues justice.
Cashmere possesses remarkable athleticism for a 195 centimetres, 115 kilogram player, and he has the work ethic to boot - Sheens recalls him regularly turning up to Wests Tigers training in his work boots following a day on building sites as a carpenter.
He was a "prodigy" in 1999 under Raudonikis, but he switched to Parramatta and could not break out of Jersey Flegg.
He then headed back to the Magpies, only to have similar road blocks thrown his way. He spent six years in reserve grade and became so frustrated he headed to France, where he spent a five-month stint with Lezignan until the club went broke. So he decided to play with Group 6 club Thirlmere.
But the turning point came the next day, when he was asked to return to the Magpies. By the end of 2005, at age 25, he had come off the bench three times for Wests Tigers. Then, after Sheens was unable to offer him a spot in the first grade squad of 25, he signed with the Cowboys.
"I don't think motivation was ever an issue," he said. "Quite possibly I'm just a late bloomer. And I've always had a fairly big frame - it just took me a while to grow into it."
Says Sheens: "I'm happy with any young fella but for him, in particular. He's been an early bloomer and now a late bloomer, so he had that middle of his career where it sort of went sideways for him. But he's a very hard trainer and he's very dedicated."
While the validity of tonight's game has again been questioned, Cashmere is a very large reason it should be some part of rugby league's calendar.
"He loves the game," Sheens said. "I heard Gus [Phil Gould] say, 'This guy loves a game of footy'. It was a comment he made when he was playing for us. He's full-on.
"Whatever time he gets, he will deliver a lot of energy, and he'll cart the ball up every third time if you want him to. To get this jumper, he'd run down [from Townsville] if he had to."
Cashmere has certainly gained some metres this year, and while 1,737,000 might be pushing it, the jumper has been warmly welcomed by the 28-year-old, who only started to realise his frame was in the frame for the blue and gold jersey when he read a story in Big League.
While a NSW jumper is unlikely, Murray and Sheens do not discount it.
"I would never put as much pressure on him to say he'll get one … but if [the Blues coach] wants a fella to do what Ray does, he won't let anyone down. At the moment, I think he's at that City-Country level, and not everyone gets those jerseys. The next step is for him to seriously consider whether he might be an Origin player. I definitely do."
Says Sheens: "The game pits him up against [Brett] White and [Anthony] Laffranchi and people like that so … if he came out and belted 'em, like really had a great game, then obviously it would make people sit up and take notice. I don't think anything's beyond the realms of possibility."

[Retread]

Ben Harris... crossed for one of Country's tries.

Country: 22 (A Roberts, A Laffranchi, T Carney, B Harris tries; C Fitzgibbon 2, Carney conversions.)
City: 22 (J Sutton, B Delaney, J Hayne, B Pomeroy tries; B Hodgson 3 conversions.)

[Retread]

Webb in seventh heaven

IT'S taken three years and a horrid run of bad luck but Cowboys enforcer Carl Webb will finally start out on the path to international rugby league today.
The barnstorming prop will join North Queensland and Australian halfback Johnathan Thurston in camp at Coogee Beach today to prepare for Friday night's Centenary Test against New Zealand in Sydney.
The journey has been a long one for Webb who was squarely in contention for a spot in the Australian team in 2006 and 2007 before inury cruelled his chances.
His chances were also in dashed in 2005 when he incurred a six-game suspension after flooring Melbourne forward Ryan Hoffman at the back end of the season.
But now that he is there he can't wait.
Webb was at his damaging best against South Sydney yesterday afternoon with 104m from 10 runs – duplicating the job he has done for Queensland in his 11 Origin matches.
And now he is ready to translate his game to the world's biggest stage.
"It's the pinnacle, mate, I've done a fair bit at Origin level and this is the next step so I'm looking forward to it," he said.
Australian coach Ricky Stuart has made no secret of the fact that he wants to use Webb as an impact player off the bench.
Stuart has also said Webb was `tailor made for international rugby league because of his proven track record at Origin level'.
"I haven't seen much of what he said but I did see that he wanted me for a job and I can't let him down," Webb said.
Webb will continue to look forward to the future now that he has finally cracked the Australian team for the first time and said he planned to do everything he could to stay in calculations for the World Cup squad to be announced later this year.
"I've had a few hurdles but it makes it all the more sweeter now it's here," he said.
Making Friday night's match even more interesting will be the fact Webb will line up alongside controversial forward Willie Mason in the same team for the first time.
Webb came out publically earlier this year saying he wanted to be Mason's first opponent if and when the Roosters forward decided to launch a boxing career.
Webb said it would be awkward being in the same camp as Mason but was looking forward to getting the job done on Friday night.


Roomies ... Carl Webb and Willie Mason / The Daily Telegraph

[Retread]

Vintage Roos

HONOURING THE PAST ... Australia's Greg Bird and Johnathan Thurston model the heritage Test jersey to be worn against New Zealand on Friday


AUSTRALIAN star Greg Inglis says the Kangaroos have the potential for another pointscoring barrage over New Zealand despite losing skipper Darren Lockyer.
Australia thumped the Kiwis 58-0 last October in Wellington and Inglis believes the Kangaroos can repeat the dose if they execute properly in the Centenary Test at the SCG on Friday night.
Cronulla lock Greg Bird will again fill in at five-eighth in Lockyer's absence, while Billy Slater (fullback), Justin Hodges (centre) and Johnathan Thurston (halfback) are additions to the side which embarrassed the Kiwis last year.
Inglis has faith in Bird's ability to direct play but says the star-studded backline will only be able to cross the tryline if their forwards dominate up front.
"There's always points no matter who you put on the field, it is just the way you execute," Inglis said.
"People will talk about our backs but I don't think you can overlook our forwards.
"Test football is always won up the middle and no doubt there will be quite a few bashings and quite a few big hits up the middle."

• Webb in seventh heaven

Star centre Mark Gasnier expects the Kiwis to provide tougher resistance this year and admits the loss of Lockyer will affect the Australian side.
"It's not going to happen," replied Gasnier when asked if a repeat thrashing was on the cards.
"We probably caught them off guard ... I think it was a bit uncharacteristic of the Kiwis.
"It's a huge blow (to lose Lockyer). He is probably the best player in the world.
"But his misfortune is another guy's fortune. Greg Bird took it with two hands in Wellington and won man of the match and deservedly so."
Back-rower Paul Gallen says Cronulla teammate Bird will confidently replace Lockyer, even though he has played just 10 games at five-eighth over the past two years.
Bird wore the No. 6 jersey for Australia and New South Wales last year, both times claiming man-of-the-match honours, and Gallen is tipping another impressive performance this week.
"He is the kind of bloke who doesn't let pressure get to him and he is pretty relaxed and very confident. He will be fine," Gallen said.
The decision to move Bird from lock to five-eighth earned Melbourne's Michael Crocker a Test reprieve, the Storm hardman added to the bench after he was initially dumped from the 17-man squad.
It has also helped balance the side as coach Ricky Stuart had earlier named back-rowers who all play on the left-hand side at club level.
Bench forward Anthony Tupou, who is now likely to start, is another left-side back-rower and starting second-rower Ryan Hoffman admits somebody is going to have to play `out of position' for Australia.
"If it is me it won't trouble me at all," Hoffman said.
"It's just the other side of the field. At Melbourne when I play in the centres I always play on the right- hand side of the field.
"You would play anywhere if you're playing for Australia."
But Gallen, who is likely to be given a roaming role if switched to lock, insists Hoffman remain on the left because that is where he is at his most dangerous.
"(Hoffman) comfortably makes breaks down the left side so I would say he will play there and I will be more inside and doing hit-ups out of our end," Gallen said.

[Retread]

Fight talk KO'd as Webb, Willie share room

BAND OF MERRY MEN ... Australian Test teammates Carl Webb, Willie Mason, Johnathan Thurston and Greg Inglis share a joke at the SCG yesterday as the players mustered for the team photo in the leadup to Friday night's clash with New Zealand


BEFORE they get it on, Willie Mason and Carl Webb have got to get along.
That is the case for the `wannabe' professional boxers before Australia's Centenary rugby league Test with New Zealand at the SCG on Friday night.
The rugby league hardmen have been paired up in their Sydney hotel room this week and it would be priceless to be a fly on the wall as they unpack their bags.
That's because only a few months ago Webb challenged Mason to a fight.
And in an unusual situation for anything boxing related, the North Queensland wrecking ball yesterday was in no mood to promote a potential bout with the big Rooster.
"Me and Will are rooming together but before you get started there will be no comment on the fight," Webb said.
"We just want to focus on the game this week."
The concept of Queensland's Webb and New South Welshman Mason going toe-to-toe in the ring has all the ingredients of a money-spinner with the fight to be drawn along State of Origin battle lines.
Webb thought being roomed with Mason wasn't an intentional move by team management, the pair to enjoy even more time together as they've been named on the bench for Australia.
"I am not really sure how it all worked out, maybe it was numbered," Webb said.
"I did not know a lot of the guys this week. I had met them here and there after games and that sort of stuff but it is good to make more friends.
"I like being a part of camp life."
But had he or Mason packed boxing gloves in their kit?
"Let's just cut this out, there will be no more comments about this, you might just catch me out," Webb said.
One of the reasons that Mason left the Bulldogs for the Roosters in the off-season was because of the club's reluctance for him to enter the fight game.
Mason, at 196cm and 115kg, would have a considerable reach advantage over the stocky Webb, who is listed at 182cm and 108kg.
But the Cowboys enforcer has valuable experience as an amateur boxing champion.
The headline-grabbing Mason was off limits to the media yesterday but will be let loose tomorrow.

[Retread]

Carl Webb up to Test standard
Steve Ricketts

TEST veteran Petero Civoniceva says there will be no prouder Australian than Carl Webb in Friday night's Centenary Test at the SCG, especially after his career teetered on the brink when he was shown the door by the Broncos in 2004. Civoniceva, who quit the Broncos for Penrith at the end of last season, said he always believed Webb would play at the top level again after failing to make the Queensland State of Origin sides in 2003-04 and spending plenty of time in State League.
Webb joined North Queensland Cowboys in 2005 and reclaimed his state jumper but injuries and suspensions ruined his Test hopes until his name was finally read out on April 27 for Friday's clash with the Kiwis.
"I never doubted that Carl would go on to achieve great things," Civoniceva said.
"You could see he was going to be a massive talent from the time he joined the Broncos from Dalby as a teenager.
"Even then he was awesome in the gym. It was disappointing he had to leave the Broncos because I know he really found his feet there and had a lot of great friends and mentors.
"But it shows the character of the guy that's he's been able to move on to another club and kick on, and at a relatively young age he's taken a senior role. It's great to see him finally achieve the ultimate goal.
"I felt for Carl in the last few years when his name was thrown in there but due to injury or suspension he was unavailable.
"He has proved at Origin level he's totally capable of taking that next step and I know there will be no prouder guy than Carl wearing the Australian jersey on Friday."
Webb had his head in the clouds when he got off the team bus at the SCG yesterday and donned the 1908 replica jersey for the team photograph.
"It's a dream come true and I just hope Sydney people get out to support us," he said.
"I've heard all about the Tests here against the Kiwis, France and England in the days when they drew 60,000 crowds. The place has such a great history and hopefully we can add to it on Friday."
Webb has been chosen as an interchange forward but coach Ricky Stuart could elect to start him instead of Manly's Brent Kite, who was on the bench in Wellington last October when Australia belted the Kiwis 58-0.
Civoniceva and fellow Queenslander Steve Price were the starting props in that game.
Price is unavailable for this Test because of injury and also will miss Origin I on May 21.
Civoniceva said he saw Webb mainly as an impact player off the bench for Queensland. "When he comes on he makes such an impact. He's such a powerful ball runner and he's a fiery character," Civoniceva said.
"We'll just leave that in the hands of the selectors."
Webb is rooming with fellow reserve forward Willie Mason, the man he has challenged to a fight at the end of the year.

[Retread]

Empty seats will see Sydney snubbed
By Josh Massoud

Proud representatives ... Australian team at the SCG yesterday. Photograph: Gregg Porteous / The Daily Telegraph


APATHETIC Sydneysiders have been warned to give the Centenary Test the support it deserves or risk conceding more representative fixtures to football-hungry Queensland. As of last night only 7500 public tickets had been sold for Friday night's historic Australia-New Zealand clash at the SCG.
A further 7000 members and corporates are expected to attend, but the game is tracking toward a crowd at least 10,000 below the ground's reduced capacity of 36,000.
The sluggish sales have reignited debate about Sydney's passion for top-flight rugby league and last night invoked calls from Queensland for future State of Origin games to be allocated on the basis of demand.
NRL board member and Kanga- roos great Gorden Tallis also hinted live television coverage could be denied to encourage more fans to attend on Friday night.
While tickets for this season's only Origin match at Suncorp Stadium were snapped up in less than two hours, it's now been three seasons since Sydney has sold-out a rep game.
As a result, Suncorp was awarded the World Cup final in November - ticket sales for which are already believed to be outstripping those for Friday's showdown.
QRL boss Ross Livermore said Brisbane would be in position to rightfully claim two Origin matches on an annual basis if rugby league's spiritual home continued to stay at home.
"Our people have really got behind rugby league and Suncorp Stadium in particular," Livermore said.
"Once the existing agreements between stadiums are finished, we need to ask whether two matches should be played in Queensland or NSW. I accept the ARL has an agreement in place at the moment, but I think it's something that needs to be addressed."
Livermore suggested Queensland-based fans should be rewarded with more games for turning out and supporting the code.
"They are the ones who pay their money and vote with their feet," he said. "You would have hoped there would have been more tickets sold (for the Centenary Test).
"In fairness, the game should be held at the SCG because we've got to respect our heritage.
"But if we made a blue, it's maybe that another Origin could have been played up here because Sydney has two of those as well (this season)."
ARL boss Geoff Carr was last night hopeful of "a big walk-up crowd" on the back of increased publicity this week and the fact the Wayne Bennett-assisted Kiwis shape as more formidable opposition. "I'm still hopeful of a 25-30,000 crowd," Carr said. The slow uptake in ticket sales comes despite the ARL embarking on its "biggest ever outdoor marketing campaign" for a Test match.
Over 100 bus stops, four buses and four billboards have been advertising the game since March 19. Ticket prices have been reasonably set between $20 and $60.
An ARL insider was at a loss to explain why Sydney refused to embrace the clash.
"We've done everything we can to push this one - it's been our biggest-ever marketing campaign for a Test match," the insider said.
"It was the same thing during the Tri Nations in 2006. It was a great tournament, but we just could not sell-out the final at the SFS."
Writing in his weekly column for The Courier Mail, Tallis said "Sydney fans have disappointingly deserted this historic match".
"It would be a great shame for the code if the Centenary Test was played in front of anything short of a sell-out crowd," Tallis wrote. The Raging Bull suggested live coverage of the game could be denied to coax more fans off their couches.
"In some other sports for marquee matches, they deny a host city's live coverage until a sell-out is assured," he wrote. "I know Channel 9, through the massive amounts it pays for television rights, deserves to have a say when these games are shown, but I have no doubt live footy on the box hurts rugby league at the turnstiles, particularly in Sydney."