The Bandit
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Prince may be crowned
By Daniel Pace
August 23, 2005
WESTS Tigers halfback Scott Prince has a good chance of making his rugby league debut for Australia this year, but only if Andrew Johns is unavailable for the start of the Tri-Nations series.
Prince, in combination with halves partner Benji Marshall, has been electric this year for the Tigers, who have won a club-record eight consecutive games to move into the top four of the NRL.
Chairman of selectors Bob McCarthy said tonight that Prince, a strong contender for the Dally M Medal, was "playing as good as anyone" in the competition.
"On form he deserves high representative honours the way he's playing," McCarthy said about Prince, who lost his Queensland Origin spot to Johnathan Thurston this year.
Johns has indicated he'll miss Australia's Tri-Nations opener against New Zealand in Sydney on October 15, if he can guide English club Warrington to the Super League grand final.
The Newcastle captain may be forced to withdraw from the entire tournament if the Australian Rugby League refuses to grant him an exemption for the opening Test.
That would open the door for Sharks skipper Brett Kimmorley or Prince to be selected as first-choice halfback.
"The only thing Scotty will be dirty about is watching the form of Kimmorley (in the Sharks' 68-6 win against Manly) on the weekend," former Test captain Wally Lewis said.
"That was probably the best game he's had for a couple of months."
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McCarthy warned Prince would stand little chance of being selected if Johns played for Australia in its four Tests overseas, as there were no tour games scheduled to blood rookies.
Instead, a utility player such as Craig Wing, Ben Hornby or Craig Gower was likely to be picked as a back-up No.7 to Johns.
Former Test halfback Steve Mortimer meanwhile said Prince's Test credentials would be enhanced if the Tigers could make this year's grand final, a feat he believed they were capable of achieving.
"They remind me of our 1980s (premiership-winning) Canterbury side where we were young and just threw caution to the wind," Mortimer said.
"They're a delight to watch. They're as good a chance as any but I still put the Dragons as the favourite."
By Daniel Pace
August 23, 2005
WESTS Tigers halfback Scott Prince has a good chance of making his rugby league debut for Australia this year, but only if Andrew Johns is unavailable for the start of the Tri-Nations series.
Prince, in combination with halves partner Benji Marshall, has been electric this year for the Tigers, who have won a club-record eight consecutive games to move into the top four of the NRL.
Chairman of selectors Bob McCarthy said tonight that Prince, a strong contender for the Dally M Medal, was "playing as good as anyone" in the competition.
"On form he deserves high representative honours the way he's playing," McCarthy said about Prince, who lost his Queensland Origin spot to Johnathan Thurston this year.
Johns has indicated he'll miss Australia's Tri-Nations opener against New Zealand in Sydney on October 15, if he can guide English club Warrington to the Super League grand final.
The Newcastle captain may be forced to withdraw from the entire tournament if the Australian Rugby League refuses to grant him an exemption for the opening Test.
That would open the door for Sharks skipper Brett Kimmorley or Prince to be selected as first-choice halfback.
"The only thing Scotty will be dirty about is watching the form of Kimmorley (in the Sharks' 68-6 win against Manly) on the weekend," former Test captain Wally Lewis said.
"That was probably the best game he's had for a couple of months."
Advertisement:
McCarthy warned Prince would stand little chance of being selected if Johns played for Australia in its four Tests overseas, as there were no tour games scheduled to blood rookies.
Instead, a utility player such as Craig Wing, Ben Hornby or Craig Gower was likely to be picked as a back-up No.7 to Johns.
Former Test halfback Steve Mortimer meanwhile said Prince's Test credentials would be enhanced if the Tigers could make this year's grand final, a feat he believed they were capable of achieving.
"They remind me of our 1980s (premiership-winning) Canterbury side where we were young and just threw caution to the wind," Mortimer said.
"They're a delight to watch. They're as good a chance as any but I still put the Dragons as the favourite."
