Johnson Gains A Well Deserved Australian Call-Up As New Zealand Gets Younger

Oct 07, 2007 League Freak International Rugby League News 0

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Well its seems as though the footy gods are handing a number of deserving players Australian test jerseys they should have got in the first place!

Paul Gallen has been ruled out of the Australian side to take on New Zealand next week with a shoulder injury, prompting the promotion of Storm lock Dallas Johnson to the 17 man squad.

One thing is for sure, with Matthew Bowen and Billy Slater missing out of the Test side, fullback Brett Stewart would be hoping he gets through this week OK!

Meanwhile New Zealand will field a very young side in the Test against Australia with the average ago of the entire squad just 23.5 years.

I just goes to show the change in New Zealand Rugby League over the last few years with some many great, young Kiwi players coming through the ranks.

While a lot of attention has been revolving around Australia’s Israel Folau being the youngest ever player in the Kangaroo’s history, New Zealand will field St George/Illawarra player Chase Stanley who is actually 58 days younger than Folau.

Its a great sign for the game that such young, talented players are showing the embarrassment of riches Rugby League has. There are no 30+ year old forwards breaking into Rugby League test sides as such as serial failure Andrew Farrell has recently in rugby union.

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• Andrew Farrell, Australia, Brett Stewart, Chase Stanley, Dallas Johnson, Injury, New Zealand, Paul Gallen

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