Injured Smith hopeful about Friday test chances

NZPA/Dave Williams | 03 May 2009 08:25pm

Kiwis hardman Jeremy Smith is hopeful of defying a sprained ankle in Friday's rugby league test, saying he is confident they can make it back-to-back wins against the Kangaroos in Brisbane.

Smith and fellow-forward Frank Pritchard gave coach Stephen Kearney two injury scares amid a largely predictable 18 named tonight for the World Cup final rematch.

The biggest surprise was the choice of playmaker Benji Marshall - who missed his Wests Tigers' NRL match today due to the flu - as captain ahead of Smith and Roy Asotasi.

Smith limped off WIN Stadium with a high ankle sprain, after he twisted in a tackle from test teammate Nathan Fien, as his Dragons beat the Warriors 12-11.

"I'm not too sure but it's not too good at the moment. Fingers crossed I can get out there on Friday," a deflated Smith told NZPA.

Smith, named the Kiwis' play of the year in 2008, said he would give himself every chance to be fit but would leave the final call up to Kearney.

"I'll do what's best for myself. I don't want to be going out there and putting the team in jeopardy by having a crook ankle.

"I'll wait and see what happens and see how I pull up during the week, and see what Steve wants to do.

"We've got such a good team and I'm pretty confident we can get out there and do the same as what we did to them last year."

Dragons coach Wayne Bennett said medical opinion put Smith in "a fair bit of doubt".

Injured Smith hopeful about Friday test chances [continued]

"He's a rough chance but it's an ankle injury, and we're optimistic it's not too serious, but it's going to be line ball for Friday."

Kearney and his fellow-selectors were scheduled to meet again tonight to discuss Smith and Pritchard's injuries suffered at the weekend.

Marshall was named to succeed retired skipper Nathan Cayless, having led the Kiwis for the first time against England in their World Cup pool game last year.

"It was a huge honour for Benji to lead his country against England and it was job he really took to," Kearney said.

"This is another step. Benji enjoys the extra responsibility and he'll have plenty of leadership support around him from the likes of Roy, Jeremy and others."

Injuries had restricted Marshall to only three tests - all one-off Anzac tests - before the World Cup but he appeared in six straight internationals in as many weeks in October-November last year.

Of the 17 who played in the 34-20 World Cup final win, only three missed selection: Cayless, Warriors prop Sam Rapira (sternum) and Wigan utility Thomas Leuluai, with the selectors opting against selecting he and fellow British-based player Brent Webb.

Asotasi, Pritchard and Iosia Soliola all returned after missing the World Cup through injury, while 2007 Kiwis prop Jeff Lima was recalled.

Kearney's side assembled in Brisbane tonight and will have their first training session tomorrow before the starting team are named later in the week.

Kiwis: Benji Marshall (captain, Wests Tigers), Lance Hohaia (NZ Warriors), Sam Perrett (Sydney Roosters), Jason Nightingale (St George-Illawarra Dragons), Manu Vatuvei (Warriors), Jerome Ropati (Warriors), Iosia Soliola (Roosters), Nathan Fien (Warriors), Jeremy Smith (Dragons), Bronson Harrison (Canberra Raiders), Greg Eastwood (Canterbury Bulldogs), David Fa'alogo (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Simon Mannering (Warriors), Frank Pritchard (Penrith Panthers), Roy Asotasi (Rabbitohs), Adam Blair (Melbourne Storm), Jeff Lima (Storm), Issac Luke (Rabbitohs).

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