Kiwis a bunch of hypocrites
By Dean Ritchie
May 3, 2006
AUSTRALIA Ricky Stuart and his angry players last night labelled their New Zealand counterparts hypocrites after it was revealed five members of the Kiwis squad were born in Australia.
The Kangaroos were outraged that New Zealand players and coach Brian McClennan fired barbs at young fullback Karmichael Hunt, who accepted an Australia jumper despite being born across the Tasman.
Kiwis interchange Frank Pritchard was born in Sydney, Brent Webb in Cairns, Jake Webster in Melbourne and Jason and Nathan Cayless in western Sydney.
Pritchard and Webster were particularly vocal in their criticism of Hunt's decision.
"I thought New Zealanders were smarter than that," Stuart said.
"The New Zealanders came out and bagged Karmichael, but five of their players were born right here in Australia. I think it smells of hypocrisy.
"I see Frank Pritchard was fairly heavy on Karmichael this week. I understand Frank was born in Darlinghurst, in the centre of Sydney. Jake Webster also had a shot. He was born in Melbourne.
"Karmichael took the toughest road possible to play at Test level. He could quite easily have taken the softer option and played for New Zealand, but he stood by his convictions and for that, I admire him.
"Karmichael Hunt deserves all the reawrds that come his way. He'll be great for us on Friday night," added Stuart. Kangaroos players have been fired up by New Zealand's criticism of Hunt.
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"You don't hear Aussies slagging off at those blokes (born here and representing New Zealand) for their decisions," forward Willie Mason said.
"You don't see us crying and whinging about them pledging their allegiance. They think they're Kiwis, Karmichael thinks he's an Aussie."
Mason's Bulldogs teammate Mark O'Meley added: "Karmichael has made a decision based on where he started his footy and where he wants to be.
"It's his decision, not anyone else's.
"It's like the Australians who go over there and play for New Zealand, blokes like Webb and Webster.
"We don't give them any stick, so why should Karmichael have to cop this?"
O'Meley said the Kangaroos were determined to protect Hunt, 19, on the field.
"We play as a team and a unit," O'Meley said.
"We all look after each other and it won't be any different on Friday night."
Winger Timana Tahu said: "He's entitled to make his own decision."
Skipper Darren Lockyer said: "If Karmichael feels he's Australian and he wants to play for Australia, then that's his decision.
"You've got to look at the same scenario as Brent Webb for the Kiwis as well."
Nathan Cayless, the Parramatta captain, was named in the New Zealand squad but was yesterday overlooked for a spot among the final 17 men.
Despite New Zealand's Tri-Nations success last year, Australia will start $1.20 favourites at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night with the Kiwis at $4.10 with TAB Sportsbet.
The Daily Telegraph
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WILLIE MASON SHOULD WATCH WHAT HE SAYS.
wiki please smash him!!!!
By Dean Ritchie
May 3, 2006
AUSTRALIA Ricky Stuart and his angry players last night labelled their New Zealand counterparts hypocrites after it was revealed five members of the Kiwis squad were born in Australia.
The Kangaroos were outraged that New Zealand players and coach Brian McClennan fired barbs at young fullback Karmichael Hunt, who accepted an Australia jumper despite being born across the Tasman.
Kiwis interchange Frank Pritchard was born in Sydney, Brent Webb in Cairns, Jake Webster in Melbourne and Jason and Nathan Cayless in western Sydney.
Pritchard and Webster were particularly vocal in their criticism of Hunt's decision.
"I thought New Zealanders were smarter than that," Stuart said.
"The New Zealanders came out and bagged Karmichael, but five of their players were born right here in Australia. I think it smells of hypocrisy.
"I see Frank Pritchard was fairly heavy on Karmichael this week. I understand Frank was born in Darlinghurst, in the centre of Sydney. Jake Webster also had a shot. He was born in Melbourne.
"Karmichael took the toughest road possible to play at Test level. He could quite easily have taken the softer option and played for New Zealand, but he stood by his convictions and for that, I admire him.
"Karmichael Hunt deserves all the reawrds that come his way. He'll be great for us on Friday night," added Stuart. Kangaroos players have been fired up by New Zealand's criticism of Hunt.
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"You don't hear Aussies slagging off at those blokes (born here and representing New Zealand) for their decisions," forward Willie Mason said.
"You don't see us crying and whinging about them pledging their allegiance. They think they're Kiwis, Karmichael thinks he's an Aussie."
Mason's Bulldogs teammate Mark O'Meley added: "Karmichael has made a decision based on where he started his footy and where he wants to be.
"It's his decision, not anyone else's.
"It's like the Australians who go over there and play for New Zealand, blokes like Webb and Webster.
"We don't give them any stick, so why should Karmichael have to cop this?"
O'Meley said the Kangaroos were determined to protect Hunt, 19, on the field.
"We play as a team and a unit," O'Meley said.
"We all look after each other and it won't be any different on Friday night."
Winger Timana Tahu said: "He's entitled to make his own decision."
Skipper Darren Lockyer said: "If Karmichael feels he's Australian and he wants to play for Australia, then that's his decision.
"You've got to look at the same scenario as Brent Webb for the Kiwis as well."
Nathan Cayless, the Parramatta captain, was named in the New Zealand squad but was yesterday overlooked for a spot among the final 17 men.
Despite New Zealand's Tri-Nations success last year, Australia will start $1.20 favourites at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night with the Kiwis at $4.10 with TAB Sportsbet.
The Daily Telegraph
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WILLIE MASON SHOULD WATCH WHAT HE SAYS.
wiki please smash him!!!!
