Former Australian Kangaroos winger Michael Hancock says team is suffering from no midweek games

FORMER Australian winger Michael Hancock says the disappearance of midweek games from Kangaroo tours is stifling the chances of unearthing Test talent.

Debutants Andrew Fifita, Josh Papalii and Boyd Cordner during Australian Kangaroos squad camp at Allianz Stadium, Moore Park. Pi

FORMER Australian rugby league winger Michael Hancock says the disappearance of midweek games from Kangaroo tours is stifling the chances of unearthing Test talent.

Hancock, speaking ahead of Australia's World Cup opener against England on Saturday, said some of the country's best have been uncovered in midweek tour games and Australia's decision not to play before the World Cup would hurt the side in the long-run.

Ricky Stuart famously unseated incumbent Allan Langer for the second Test against Great Britain in 1990 after a rousing midweek performance while Des Hasler (1985) played his first Test in the third and final match after performing well on a tour of New Zealand.

(L-R) Allan "Alfie" Langer and Ricky Stuart Australian Kangaroos training in 2006.

"Every player has earned their place in the squad and hopes to get a game," said Hancock, who debuted for Australia as a 19-year-old on the 1989 tour of New Zealand.

"On the tour now they don't play midweek games anymore so some players don't get an opportunity and the experience which is a sad thing.

"Especially after the season, tours can be long and around eight weeks and those guys on the fringes don't get an opportunity unless there is an injury.

"In the past they might need to rest a couple of players and gave those guys on the fringes a chance to play and to force their way into the team.

"Plenty of guys have done that and turned out to be constant starting Australian players.

"Some became legends of the game after getting their chance but it's just one of those things and we have just gone in a different direction."

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