Six Broncos for Tri-Series
by Chris Cox
Monday October 04, 2004

The Australian Rugby League has included all six Broncos players from the train-on squad in the final 25-man outfit that will contest the Tri-Series in New Zealand and Britain over the next two months.

Victorious Bulldogs skipper Andrew Ryan, Clive Churchill medallist Willie Mason and teammates Willie Tonga and Mark O'Meley have also been chosen for their first international duty after Canterbury defeated the Roosters 16-13 in last night's Grand Final.

Coach Wayne Bennett said he was looking forward to coaching Mason for the first time on the tour. "He's been very, very good. I think when Steve (Price) got injured in the major preliminary game Willie stood up for his team."

Despite not making the Grand Final, the Broncos have supplied the most representatives with skipper Darren Lockyer, centres Brent Tate and Shaun Berrigan, and forwards Shane Webcke, Petero Civoniceva and Tonie Carroll all earning selection. 

It will be Carroll's first Australian duty after representing New Zealand at the 2000 World Cup.

North Queensland's Matt Bowen, who has shot to prominence over the past two months with his electrifying football as the Cowboys went within a whisker of a fairytale Grand Final berth, has also been chosen for his first tour, along with Dragons Matt Cooper and Jason Ryles and Penrith's Luke Rooney.

Penrith's Joel Clinton and Trent Waterhouse and St George-Illawarra's Shaun Timmins were notable omissions who took part in Australia's ANZAC Test victory over New Zealand.

The expanded 25-man squad came about as a result of Bennett suggesting the Kangaroos were short in a few areas.

"You have to take a couple of fullbacks, you have to take two five-eighths, so it was more practical to have 25," the coach said.

"There's a great sense of responsibility picking these players for their country.

"I always feel it has to be earned and they have earned their positions. You don't want to get it wrong, you want to get it right.

Bennett said New Zealand will to have a very strong team.

"Great Britain obviously fancy themselves, too," he added. "I think it's going to be a wonderful competition."

Full squad: Backs: Shaun Berrigan (Brisbane), Matt Bowen (North Queensland), Matt Cooper (St George-Illawarra), Craig Gower (Penrith), Scott Hill (Melbourne), Brett Kimmorley (Cronulla), Darren Lockyer (Brisbane, captain), Anthony Minichiello (Sydney Roosters), Luke Rooney (Penrith), Matt Sing (North Queensland), Brent Tate (Brisbane), Willie Tonga (Canterbury). Forwards: Danny Buderus (Newcastle, vice captain), Tonie Carroll (Brisbane), Petero Civoneciva (Brisbane), Michael Crocker (Sydney Roosters), Craig Fitzgibbon, (Sydney Roosters), Nathan Hindmarsh (Parramatta), Ben Kennedy (Newcastle), Willie Mason (Canterbury), Mark O'Meley (Canterbury), Andrew Ryan (Canterbury), Jason Ryles (St George Illawarra), Shane Webcke (Brisbane), Craig Wing (Sydney Roosters).