The Prenter Report #4

“When Roy Asotasi is prominent, the players rally.”

This was the observation of the Sydney Daily Telegraph’s Ray Chesterton, Rugby League’s finest wordsmith, in his appraisal of Asotasi’s contribution to South Sydney’s maiden win in the 2008 NRL premiership on the weekend.

Asotasi, the New Zealand and World Cup captain, was at his inspiring best for the South Sydney Rabbitohs against North Queensland.

It’s the same inspiration Asotasi is expected to provide New Zealand when they tackle Australia in the Centenary Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground this Friday.

And it’s the inspiration Kiwi fans will be hoping Asotasi provides throughout the World Cup later this year.

Asotasi is a born leader. He is capable of bringing out the best of those around him by setting himself high standards.

New Zealand could comb the length and breadth of the land of the great White Cloud and not find a better choice to lead them on Friday and then again in October and November.

The Kiwis will always be competitive when Asotasi is at the helm.

As predicted on this page last week, South’s were close to a win with Asotasi’s captaincy the springboard.

Needless to say, their co-owner Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe, was there in the stands cheering on his fellow Kiwi.

The Kiwis well may “borrow” Russell for Friday’s encounter and anoint him as No.1 supporter for the World Cup!

New Zealand has had a “good news” week.

Asotasi strikes form and their two English based players, fullback Brent Webb and halfback Thomas Leuluai have been released to play in the Centenary Test.

Leeds has reluctantly agreed to free Webb and Wigan likewise with Leuluai.

Both players are in form and will add spice to the Kiwi attack.

With Australia’s champion captain Darren Lockyer a withdrawal, the Kiwis hopes have risen.

But Australia will lose nothing when it comes to leadership now that Cameron Smith, the Australian hooker, is in charge.

Some nice irony here.

Australia’s first ever captain was a hooker, South Sydney’s Arthur Hennessy and now Cameron Smith, in the game’s Centenary Year, is able to emulate Hennessy.

By Geoff Prenter