Kiwis ready for hit man
By STEVE KILGALLON in Leeds - Stuff.co.nz
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British fans are anticipating another bone-shuddering clash between big men Sam Burgess and Fuifui Moimoi in tomorrow's Four Nations rugby league test â but the Kiwis believe they can exploit Burgess' penchant for the big shot.
They're still talking in England about one tremendous tackle the then 18-year-old Burgess made on Moimoi during the 2007 test series in England, but New Zealand aren't interested in reminiscing.
They've instead been analysing Burgess' defensive style on video and believe that if he shoots out of the line to try and make an individual big hit, they can use that space to spark an attack.
"Everyone knows what Sam Burgess can do: we have watched a few video clips of him coming out of the line and shoulder-charging blokes," said Kiwi vice-captain Adam Blair.
Blair suggested that if Burgess rushed out, Moimoi could find a quick offload – at the cost of the hit – and open up the British defence. "I think he targets players that he thinks he can work on, and I am assuming it is all front-rowers," Blair said.
"I think that's when the boys can talk to you, that if a 'shooter' is coming out to try it on, he's [the Kiwi player] maybe going to get a whack after the ball [has gone], but we're going to get a quick play-the-ball upfield and get a roll on from there."
While there have been more than 230,000 page views on YouTube of a Burgess shoulder charge on Moimoi in the 2007 series which left the Kiwi prop sitting on his backside, Moimoi's game has developed hugely since then and he has developed a smart offload.
Kiwi coach Steve Kearney said: "There's a lot more to Fui than what people think, put it that way – both on and off the field. I think people are reading too much into the Fui-Sam thing."
But while Moimoi has developed rapidly, so too has Burgess, who is destined for the NRL and South Sydney next year.
Kearney credited Burgess with sparking England's comeback last weekend from 26-0 down against Australia at halftime to lose 26-16 and regain some credibility.
"That's a player who instinctively recognises he needs to do something about the game," he said. "I thought he turned the momentum for England."
Meanwhile, the Kiwis resolved their key selection dilemma – who would replace Steve Matai at left centre, by unexpectedly calling up his 19-year-old Manly team-mate Kieran Foran, ahead of the much more experienced Parramatta star Krisnan Inu.
The British have also put their faith in youth, handing halfback duties to 20-year-old pair Sam Tomkins and Kyle Eastmond.
Frenchman Thierry Alibert has the whistle and unseasonably sunny conditions are expected at Huddersfield's all-seater Galpharm Stadium.
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