Raging Calf To Fill Gordy's Shoes
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Gorden Tallis has taken his talent and aggression into representative retirement but the Kangaroos have a ready made replacement for the 'Raging Bull' in Michael Crocker, according to Australian coach Chris Anderson.

Crocker has been named on the interchange bench for Australia's opening Ashes rugby league Test against Great Britain at Wigan this weekend, giving Anderson some fire and brimstone in his 17-man squad.

For the past five years Tallis supplied those qualities but his decision to retire from State of Origin and Test football meant the Kangaroos had to find a new answer to the aggression of Great Britain pair Adrian Morley and Barrie McDermott.

That's where Crocker fits into the equation.

"I think Michael Crocker is a young bloke coming off the bench who offers you that a bit, he'll offer you a bit of fire," Anderson said.

Morley has figured heavily in the Kangaroos' plans heading into the first Test.

The 26-year-old from northern England is well known to the Australian players, having plied his trade for the past three years with the Roosters in the NRL.

This season Morley took his game to another level, winning the club's player of the year award and becoming one of the best forwards in the world - he was already one of the most feared.

"There's four or five blokes who are that dynamic sort of bloke he is but he's obviously in good form," prop Shane Webcke said.

"In all of this, he's one man. We have got our strengths. We haven't got big backrowers. We haven't got a backrower like an Adrian Morley.

"So what's the answer - the answer is I don't know. The answer is Adrian Morley can't play for 80 minutes...not with the workrate our guys do.

"He'll be out there for 80 but he's not going to rip and tear (the whole time). Fitzy (Craig Fitzgibbon) and Ricko (Luke Ricketson) will keep on to Morley. If he stays on the field for 80 minutes, he won't be as effective as he would be in 30 minute stints."

Webcke concedes Tallis' absence creates a void, but is confident it's one the Kangaroos can overcome.

"I think in terms of front rowers if we do our job going forward, we've got good backrowers who tackle their heart out," he said.

"I think we can get over the top of them if we haven't got a Gordo. But gee, it would be nice to have one."