PREVIEW: 2014 Four Nations Week 1

There is no off season here at LeagueUnlimited, and it appears that the cream of the rugby league world doesn't get much time off either. 

The Four Nations kicks off this weekend with a double header in Brisbane and both games shape as intriguing viewing.

Times listed are AEDT (NSW/VIC) unless otherwise noted.

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England v Samoa
Saturday 5:00pm at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (4:00pm AEST)

Samoa are undoubtedly the battlers but there's no doubt they'll be looking to put up a fight and punch above their weight. 

Awkward play on words aside, the island nation definitely earned their spot at the tournament with a 32-16 victory over Fiji in May. However, only eight players (Daniel Vidot, Ricky Leutele, Michael Sio, Sam Tagataese, Leeson Ah Mau, Isaac Liu, Jesse Sene-Lefao and 18th man Dunamis Lui) are backing up in this match.

After a season spent causing coronaries for Craig Bellamy at Melbourne, Ben Roberts lines up alongside Dragons utility Kyle Stanley in the halves. Both players are arguably better runners than passers of the Steedon, and it's this tactic that Samoa should adopt. Their strength is in the pack and the addition of Broncos ironman Josh McGuire at lock further toughens the middle third.

On the English side of the equation, Australian audiences will be familiar with NRL representatives Sam Tomkins, Gareth Widdop, George Burgess, James Graham and Thomas Burgess. But for most on this half of the hemisphere (writer included) the remainder of the squad is an unknown quantity. Widdop is a class act and he alone can control the game for the English. But are half Matty Smith and Canberra-bound Hull KR hooker Josh Hodgson up to international footy? We'll wait and see. 

If Samoa get on top with speed and footwork around the ruck, there is plenty of flair and size in the backline that can cause England trouble. The warm late afternoon sunshine and humidity at Lang Park should also play in their favour. The key for Roberts and Stanley is to not get overexcited and simply shift it wide when the forwards have sucked in the defence. Sounds easy right?

Ethan's Tip: Samoa 32-24

Australia v New Zealand
Saturday 7:30pm at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (6:30pm AEST)

Five debutants and no Johnathan Thurston. Things have gone weird for Australia. 

The Kangaroos named a side on Tuesday that more closely resembled a PMs XVII of years past. But to poke fun at this Australian squad is to do injustice to the talent in the 17. 

It'd be hard to find a faster centre pairing than Dylan Walker and Michael Jennings, while the dummy half scoots of Josh Mansour and aerial ability of Dan Tupou are massive threats. When you consider the accuracy of Cooper Cronk's kicking game, Tupou in particular could have a massive bearing on the game. 

The reunited former Storm spine of Cronk, skipper Cameron Smith and Greg Inglis is the lynchpin. Often restricted to one side at representative level, GI in full flight at the back is a marvellous sight. 

The forward pack perhaps looks one prop short, while the inclusion of Robbie Farah on the bench is an odd move. Why a second dummy is needed to replace a man who can effortlessly play 80 minutes always baffles.

The Kiwis are without troops of their own, most notably Issac Luke and James Tamou. They've also called on some fresh blood with Cowboys wrecking ball Jason Taumololo starting. Four forwards on the bench highlights their intentions of playing up the middle but it's a ploy not quite as dangerous in the absence of Luke. 

The magic number for the Kiwis halves pairing is 24. At 24 years of age, Keiran Foran and Shaun Johnson have now played 24 tests between them. Neither are rookies, and more consistent showings at this level are required. 

There's plenty to like about this contest and plenty of next-generation players on show. For me, Australia still has the edge in the playmaker stakes.

Ethan's Tip: Australia 24-14