Kangaroos ... who will you pick in your side?Source: Evan Morgan / News Limited
Australia needs your help.
Tim Sheens's men are gearing up for the Anzac Test and there's plenty of headaches to be worked out at the selection table.
The Kangaroos were in stellar form to easily account for the Kiwis last time the two sides met, getting home 20-12 in Townsville to lift the trans-Tasman trophy in October.
But a new NRL season has started since and while many of the current internationals are playing as if they never had an off-season, there are plenty of others who have struggled to get out of first gear.
In a World Cup year, there's also considerations other than just the result of a one-off Test to think about.
Should Sheens take a risk on blooding some young stars to give them a chance with the World Cup and future internationals in mind?
Or should incumbency rule as it often does when it comes to picking the Australian rep team?
Whether or not Sheens sticks with the bulk of the side that last ran out for the Kangaroos, Canterbury-Bankstown recruit Tony Williams is under enormous pressure.
Knowing how threatening he can be, particularly when he's used as an impact player off the bench, should T-Rex stay in the side or should he make way for the likes of Matt Gillett or Anthony Watmough?
Who should partner Greg Inglis in the centres, given Justin Hodges continues to struggle with injuries and Josh Morris made a good fist of it as his replacement last time out.
There are a whole host of choices such as these and we're giving you the chance to be chief selector for the day.
Tell us your team by leaving a comment at the bottom of the page.
To help you, here's the Kangaroos side that ran out for last year's end of season Test:
Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Greg Inglis, Josh Morris, Brett Morris, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith (c), James Tamou, Greg Bird, Paul Gallen, Nate Myles. Interchange: Robbie Farah, Ryan Hoffman, David Shillington, Tony Williams.
Heel ... Thomas Broich named to play on Friday night.Source: Peter Wallis / News Limited
Brisbane Roar have named influencial midfielder Thomas Broich for their preliminary final clash against Western Sydney Wanderers despite an injury cloud.
Broich was in doubt after suffering a heal injury in the Roar's win over Adelaide United last Sunday but is on track to play on Friday.
For the Wanderers, Shinji Ono, Aaron Mooy and Jerome Polenz have all been named to return from injury.
Meanwhile, Central Coast Mariners have bolstered their team with several key inclusions; Josh Rose, John Hutchinson, Bernie Ibini and Michael McGlinchey.
The Victory have added Diogo Ferreira, Jimmy Jeggo and Francesco Stella to the squad but three players will drop out before Sunday's game.
Brisbane Roar: 1. Michael Theo (gk), 3. Shane Stefanutto, 5. Ivan Franjic, 7. Besart Berisha, 8. Massimo Murdocca, 9. Stef Nijland, 10. Henrique, 11. Ben Halloran, 13. Jade North, 14. Steven Lustica, 15. James Donachie, 17. Mitch Nichols, 18. Luke Brattan, 19. Jack Hingert, 20. Matt Acton (gk), 22. Thomas Broich (c), 21. James Meyer, 25. George Lambadaridis, 26. Corey Brown (three to be omitted)
Ins: 10. Henrique (promoted), 21. James Meyer (promoted), 25. George Lambadaridis (promoted), 26. Corey Brown (promoted)
Thrilling scenes ... Western Sydney celebrate their Premiers' Plate success.Source: Dean Lewins / AAP
Rocky Visconte put the icing on the cake of Western Sydney Wanderers' history-making win over Newcastle Jets with a searing strike.
The same Rocky Visconte who couldn’t get a game at Brisbane Roar for the first-half of this season, and who was making just his second appearance for Tony Popovic’s side.
But that’s the Wanderers. The A-League Premiers’ Plate winners. And the great sports story of the year.
"Since day one, he’s (Popovic) brought in the culture that everyone’s important, whether you’re 17 or three years old," Wanderers striker Labinot Haliti told Sunday Shootout.
"And at some stage of the competition you’ll be called up to do your job – the best you can."
So on a night where the pressure was on to grab the point needed to secure top spot - missing Shinji Ono, Aaron Mooy, Adam D'Apuzzo, Jerome Polenz and Iacopo La Rocca - the Wanderers rose to the mark - yet again.
Their 3-0 win ensures they remain undefeated in 12 rounds, having capitalised on Central Coast Mariners’ brief stumble a few weeks back to siege control of the A-League ladder.
Fox Sports football expert Mark Bosnich paid tribute to Popovic’s ability to rotate his squad through the season.
Indeed, Haliti found himself on the bench in the derby despite scoring a brace the week before against Heart, while being the goal-scoring hero against the Mariners.
"One of the most difficult things, especially in a successful team, is to keep people who are not playing happy," Bosnich said.
"We’re seeing that game in, game out. Tarek Ehlrich … comes in against Newcastle and looks like he’s been playing all season.
"Great team spirit … the easiest thing in the world for a player when he’s left out is to put his head down and that can sometimes spread through the whole dressing room."
Players have sung Popovic’s praises all season for the way he has moulded his squad so quickly. Haliti joins that chorus.
"Credit goes all to the coaching staff and to the boss," he said.
"The way he prepares the team is like nothing I’ve seen before – probably the best I’ve been under.
"I’ve learnt a lot and I’m sure the rest of the guys have learnt. It’s showing on the field."
Haliti was renowned as a bit of a super-sub after 12 goals in 66 games at the Jets. But like so many in the squad, he has found a new gear this term.
"(The preparation is) a level I’ve never experienced before," he said.
"I go into every game comfortable, ready, and I’m sure the rest of the players feel the same."
The Wanderers' season has made the broader Australian sporting audience sit up and take notice.
But have they convinced the football purists with their pragmatic style? Bosnich went into bad for the side.
"I’m sick and tired of people diminishing their achievement," he said.
"These guys play winning football in the right areas of the pitch.
"When they've got the chance they can play as good a one and two touch football as anyone in the competition … it is a phenomenal achievement."
So as Haliti and his teammates dream of finals success to go with their Premiers’ Plate win and AFC Champions League qualification, does Haliti envisage himself scoring the grand final winner and flinging his short off in his renowned jubilant style?
ELIMINATION FINAL 1, FRIDAY APRIL 5:
Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory, Etihad Stadium 7:30pm EDT
ELIMINATION FINAL 2, SUNDAY APRIL 7:
Adelaide United v Brisbane Roar, Hindmarsh Stadium 5:00pm EST
SEMI-FINAL 1, FRIDAY APRIL 12:
Western Sydney Wanderers v Lowest-ranked elimination finals winner, Parramatta Stadium 7:30pm EST
SEMI-FINAL 2, SUNDAY APRIL 14:
Central Coast Mariners v Highest-ranked elimination finals winner, Bluetongue Stadium 5:00pm EST
GRAND FINAL, SUNDAY APRIL 21:
Winner Semi-Final 1 v Winner Semi-Final 2, Venue TBC, 4:00pm EST
"I guess I’ll have to ask the boss!," he quipped.
Indeed, that says a lot about the side’s success.
"They can celebrate now in the change room and enjoy the bus trip back," Popovic said after the game on Friday night.
"But there's still more to come. There's still more to do."
And with him in charge, good luck to the others trying to stop them.
POPPA'S PIONEERS
There's been plenty said about how the rookie coach has brought together journeymen and players looking for another chance to earn the most unlikely of A-League Premierships. It's no cliche. Here's the proof:
Ante Covic: unwanted at Melbourne Victory by Ange Postecoglou
Jerrad Tyson: clubless after Gold Coast United folded
Shannon Cole: out of favour at Sydney FC after 95 games.
Reece Caira: looking to prove his worth after coming through ranks at Aston Villa
Iacopo La Rocca: 29-year-old journeyman Italian trying something new in Australia.
Adam D'apuzzo: after 102 matches with Newcastle, D'apuzzo gave up on his football career to pursue career in accounting - before Popovic called.
Jerome Polenz: the under-19 and under-20 German international's career was at the crossroads before the 26-year-old joined the Wanderers in August.
Tarek Elrich: also on the outer under van Egmond at Newcastle, the western Sydney local was one of the first men lured to Wanderland looking to kick-start his A-League career.
Nikolai Topor-Stanley: an inspired signing by Popovic. The former Sydney FC, Perth Glory and Newcastle Jets was always a regular performer in the competition, but Popovic has taken him to new heights.
Michael Beachump: he might have been to two World Cups, but Popovic's skipper hasn't quite been settled at club level, moving from the Mariners to Germany, Denmark, the UAE before Sydney FC and Melbourne Heart. Like NTS, has gone to another level of consistency.
Aaron Mooy: an important signing for the club and an important move for a player at St Mirren in Scotland. Deal has been an inspired one for both.
Shinji Ono: a great example of Popovic's ability to motivate and inspire. The 33-year-old Japanese legend, with 56 national caps, left Shimizu S-Pulse disillusioned. It's fair to say he loves the game again.
Jason Trifiro: plucked from the Victorian Premier League.
Mateo Poljak: 23-year-old former Croatia under-19 international, looking for a fresh start after failing to graduate from Dinamo Zagreb's youth squad.
Youssouf Hersi: 30-year-old Dutchman was a shrewd pick-up by Popovic. After a slow start he has shown lived up to his reputation after a decade in the Eredevise to become one of their x-factors
Rocky Visconte: joined Popovic's squad mid-way through the season from Brisbane Roar, looking for a chance.
Tahj Minniecon: dubbed overweight and seemingly on the scrapheap, he was thrown a lifeline by Popovic.
Mark Bridge: an extraordinary renaissance. Had it all ahead of him after moving from the Jets to Sydney FC, but slipped off the radar. A star this season, who has found his goalscoring boots again.
Labinot Haliti: from a super-sub to a genuine match-winner.
Kwabena Appiah-Kubi: Popovic has shown he's willing to throw youth in, and the exuberant 20-year-old has shown great promise when used this year in his rookie season.
Dino Kresinger: the 31-year-old Croatian has been a polarising choice up-front for Popovic's side - yet he has persisted with him and sees him as a vital cog in his side, despite his lack of goalscoring prowess.
Joey Gibbs: a perennial fringe A-League player, Gibbs trialled and trialled and trialled until Popovic had to give him a go.
