The many faces of Willie Mason

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WILLIE Mason, a few days back, was cruising Sydney Harbour with 200 corporates.

"My first speaking gig,'' the hulking cult figure explains, chatting now over breakfast at a favoured Narrabeen café.

"I was bloody petrified, too. I mean, talking shit like we are here, I can do it all day.

"But holding court with a couple of hundred business people? I kept thinking 'man, what if they find me boring?'."

He needn't have worried.

Manly Sea Eagles Willie Mason poses for a picture in Curl Curl. Picture: Braden Fastier. Source: News Corp Australia

For if we have learned anything over the past 15 years, it's that William Marshall Mason ain't boring.

Colourful? Yep.

Controversial? Undoubtedly.

And now here on the day of when potentially his final season kicks, Big Willie opens up on becoming the greatest cult figure in rugby league history.

So how does a Housing Commission kid from Toronto become the most recognised leaguie on the planet?

"Man, I dunno. I'm just being me. You hear some players speak with the media these days, it sounds like they're accepting an Oscar. Why? All up, I've probably given the NRL $10 million in headlines. And who knows, maybe they'll pay me out when I retire ... (laughs) even if they didn't want all of them."

Mason scores for the Bulldogs. Source: News Corp Australia

The fact you've survived 277 first class games, does that answer your critics?

"I think so. But people have always been saying I'd fail. Even when I returned from rugby, after 18 months sitting in the south of France, they said I was done. So I went and played reserve grade. Once. It was like playing against kids. I knew I didn't belong there. Never have."

But the real knock wasn't your ability, it was that you were a destabilising influence on young players ...

"I'm an influential person. I know that. But I also used to think every young bloke was the same. Arriving at Canterbury, I had no one. My influence had always been dad, and he died when I was 17. But the mistakes I made, was anyone else blamed? No. And neither they should be. When senior guys like Brad Clyde or Darren Britt wanted to go somewhere and I didn't, I didn't go. Simple. I've never followed and thought all young guys were built like that."

Mason playing for the Kangaroos. Source: News Corp Australia

And now?

"I know now they're not."

At 17, did league provide the father figure you were desperate for?

"No. For me, it was sink or swim. And, yes, I swam. But it also saw me rebel against authority. It was: Why should you tell me what to do? Doesn't matter if you're the coach, the CEO, whatever. There was one guy who told me what to do — dad. He was gone, my brother was in jail ... I felt alone."

How did you act out?

"Little things pissed people off. Canterbury, for example, were sponsored by Nike. But for all media I'd wear a Champion hoodie. Champion sponsored me. They were paying me 100 grand and Nike weren't. So, no, I wasn't wearing Nike. Looking back now I think 'ah, you little arsehole'. But I was a Housing Commission kid. I didn't get it.

Willie Mason and Timana Tahu. Source: News Corp Australia

But still, there was more to your rebellious streak, right?

"Oh, I don't conform. Never have. And I wouldn't have made it in the NRL otherwise. There isn't a point in my career where I've doubted myself; where I've wanted to go home. That's the great cliche used by every bush kid who fails: I wanted to go home. Bullshit. You never wanted to go home. You gave up. I've never given up.

Are you okay with being league's biggest cult figure?

"I am. Now. For years that tag was something I wanted but, at the same time, didn't. You have to accept it. Realise your standing, your influence. And I do. (Laughs) Although I still think players should have the right to wear whatever makes them more money."

Like the Willie Wigs?

"Oh, I made $25,000 from those. Could've made shitloads more too if the NRL didn't own my image. Imagine that? Selling 50,000 yourself. If I could do that I'd still have the 'fro."

The tattoo on your left shoulder says 'Only God Can Judge Me'. Reckon the big fella's a fan?

"I think he'd be okay with me now. For a long time though, I struggled to know myself. Know where I fit in. It's only been these last three years, talking with Wayne Bennett really, that I've finally become comfortable in my own skin."

Willie Mason's hair helped make him a cult figure. pic. Gareth Morgan. Source: News Corp Australia

How did Bennett help?

"After the way everything was nailed to my chest at the Roosters, the bad influence stuff, I really questioned who I was. Am I a leader? Am I the right guy to have at a footy club? Wayne, he believed.

Did you need him at 17?

"Absolutely. And Wayne's said that. Reckons he would've had me sorted by 24 ... (laughs) rather than now at 34."

What's the worst thing someone has ever called you?

(Long pause) Rapist.

From the Coffs Harbour stuff in '04?

"Yeah. And for that group of blokes who did nothing wrong, who went through so much to then be called that? It's wrong. And it wasn't just one year, either. I'm talking four, six, eight years ... occasionally it's still said now during games. 'Ah, yah rapist'. It hurts.

Recreational drug: Is league awash?

"Society is. Back in 2000, drugs were a taboo subject. Two in 10 players would've tried them. But now ... you'd be shocked. Young players talk openly about it. But you go into any nightclub, no one is hiding it."

Willie Mason gets pumped during Sydney Roosters NRL training session at Moore Park in Sydney. Source: News Limited

Hate the punch being eliminated from rugby league?

"Doesn't everyone? Look at all the resulting niggle. It's awful. Plus no one got hurt. No one in the NRL throws them well enough to knock someone out."

You kayoed Englishman Stuart Fielden in '06.

"(Laughs) That was different. That was a Test."

So many games, how many headlines are left?

"Honestly, this could be my last year. I'm thinking about it. Right now, the body feels great and the drive is still there. But if that goes, if even for a second I can't give 100 per cent for the player alongside me, I'm gone."

But do you go with people finally understanding you?

"Who knows. I've always been an enigma. People saying 'this bloke is good, no he's bad, no good, nup bad'. Personally, I'm the happiest I've ever been. I understand who I am and the influence I have. So yes I've changed ... but not a lot."

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Sport Confidential: Loz’s swing to Arizona

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NSW coach Laurie Daley is poised to embark on a 25,000km round trip to the US as the Blues search for a high performance State of Origin edge ahead of another blockbuster series.

Sport Confidential has learned Daley, NSW assistant coach Matt Parish and general manager of football Barrie-John Mather will travel to Los Angeles and — wait for it — Arizona next month to visit the LA Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks and Arizona Cardinals.

Under normal circumstances, any NRL-types returning to the scene of the South Sydney Rabbitohs' Arizona cover-up crime would be guaranteed to draw rampant debate.

Mugshots of Rabbitohs players John Sutton and Luke Burgess from the Coconino County Sherrif's Office. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

But given it's Loz, there's guaranteed to be no repeats of any CCTV footage or mug shot run-ins with local law enforcement.

The NSW Rugby League board approved the trip last week, with the trio to spend a fortnight inside the inner-sanctum of the Major League Baseball and NFL teams.

"For us it's about continuously improving and looking outside the square at how other sports do business around the world," NSWRL CEO Dave Trodden said.

"Laurie spent a week with the All Blacks in 2013, which was a great lesson in how much there is to be gained by widening your horizons and seeing what's out there."

The Blues trio may even venture to the San Francisco 49ers to visit Jarryd Hayne in his new career pursuit.

Jarryd Hayne announces he will be playing with the San Francisco 49ers. Picture Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

The Blues will begin their defence of the Origin shield in State of Origin I at ANZ Stadium on May 27.

●●●

WE'VE heard the Manly Sea Eagles aren't the only club interested in off-contract Canterbury-Bankstown and NSW half-back Trent Hodkinson.

The Cronulla Sharks are also heavily in the mix, with ex-Bulldogs teammates Michael Ennis and Ben Barba already having joined the Shire outfit over the off-season. Given the big-money offers likely to be tabled for Hodkinson, it appears unlikely the Blues half-back will remain at Belmore beyond this season.

Bulldog's Trent Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds during warm up for their training session. Picture Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

●●●

PANTHERS star Jamal Idris has revealed how there was a stage last season where he was struggling to walk due to a sciatica nerve problem.

But after off-season spinal surgery, the 120kg Panthers centre has been fast-tracked into the NRL side just six weeks after surgery for Sunday's match against his old side Canterbury. Penrith are aware they are a more damaging side due to his presence.

MATA'UTIA IN THE DOGBOX AT KNIGHTS

THE Sione Mata'utia non-selection in the Newcastle Knights starting 17 got us thinking about the last time a player went from representing the Kangaroos to missing selection for his club side. We had to go back as far as Manly in the 1980s, when Ray Brown slipped from being an international back to reserve grade, such was the strength of the Sea Eagles' forward pack. Michael Jennings also got picked from NSW Cup side Windsor Wolves into the NSW Origin side a couple of seasons ago under Ricky Stuart.

Newcastle's Sione Mata'utia. Source: News Corp Australia

Adding even more intrigue to the Mata'utai issue is his future at the Knights, which remains hugely up-in-the-air over a management dispute and a four-year contract he signed to switch to Canterbury. The Knights have until round 13 to try and convince the youngest-ever Kangaroo to backflip on the Bulldogs deal. In classic Canterbury-Bankstown fashion, the Dogs signed Mata'utai and his brothers Chanel and Pat in a package deal worth in excess of $3 million over four seasons. When we spoke to Knights coach Rick Stone, he assured us Mata'utai was still a strong possibility of playing against the Warriors Friday night.

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MELBOURNE Storm are quietly predicting big things for rookie front rower Felise Kaufusi, the younger brother of ex-Storm and now Bulldogs prop Antonio Kaufusi. The emerging prop, 22, cut his teeth playing Queensland Cup for Easts Tigers last season after a couple of years with the Cowboys and at 112kg, is expected to do some significant damage. The other rookie earning big raps is Roosters bench backrower Siosiua Taukeiaho, who will make his Tricolours debut on Saturday night in Townsville. An ex-New Zealand Warrior, Taukeiaho is a devastating ballrunner.

Felise Kaufusi in action for the Storm. Pic by Colleen Petch. Source: News Limited

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THE Dragons and Storm have added a nice touch to Monday's Kogarah Oval showdown, with all Emergency Services employees to be granted free entry. The 1999 grand final teams established the Emergency Services Cup in 2009, with all employees and volunteers to get in for free when they display the appropriate identification.

LEGENDS IN THE SWING OF THINGS

CRICKETING royalty visited Terrey Hills Golf Club yesterday, when former Test captain Allan Border and West Indies icon Brian Lara played nine holes. Glamorous TV presenter Louise Ransome also dropped in to help Fox Sports' WOW prize winner Trent Pollard celebrate a round with the cricket legends. With the World Cup in full swing, Border and Lara took time out in between commentary duties to enjoy perfect conditions on one of Sydney's best courses.

Brian Lara with Foxsports WOW competition winner Trent Bullard, Louise Ransome from Foxsports and Allan Border at Terrey Hills Golf Club. pic mark evans Source: News Limited

●●●

THERE'S some serious merry-go-round trading going on in Big Bash land. Shane Watson is the latest big name to be linked to the Sydney Thunder, while Cameron White is tipped to defect from the Melbourne Stars to join archrivals the Renegades.

RED FACED TURNS ONE-DAY WONDER

WHAT a difference two months and the colour of a cricket ball can make. Australia's man-of-the-moment Mitchell Starc will be ready to rumble again this weekend when Australia host Sri Lanka at the SCG on Sunday. It was a vastly different story in December, when spin king Shane Warne rightly criticised his negative body language after Starc turned in a shocker with the red ball in the Gabba Test match against India. With the white ball, different story.

Australia's Mitchell Starc celebrates with teammates after dismissing Afghanistan's Zadran Najibullah. Source: AP

Starc confirmed his status as an absolute weapon with figures of 6/28 against New Zealand at Eden Park last weekend. On Sunday against Sri Lanka, Cricket Australia are urging all Aussie fans to "go gold" by turning the SCG into a sea of colour.

●●●

WE love the Big Show Glenn Maxwell's swagger once he gets his eye in with the bat but his choking banter with the raucous Eden Park crowd in New Zealand last Saturday was bordering on stupidity. Maxwell needed to wait until Australia had sealed the result or risk getting a massive pull-through, which we've been told was delivered via Australian coach Darren Lehmann.

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MINI'S NEW MODE OF STREET MUSCLE

RETIRED Sydney Roosters champion Anthony Minichiello has always loved life in the fast lane, as evidenced by his latest ride.

Mini is currently jetting around town in the new Lexus RCF, a five litre V8 which retails for $144,000 on road.

As this picture shows, Mini was test driving the vehicle around Mount Panorama a couple of weeks ago and has since become the owner of a brand new, black version.

They don't call him the mayor of Bondi for nothing.

Sydney Roosters champion Anthony Minichiello. Source: Supplied

SCREEN SIZE DOES MATTER

THIS is the first look at Allianz Stadium's new high-definition big screens, which will be switched on later this month.

The 277sq m video boards are five times bigger than the ones they replace, however their state-of-the-art design means that only 12 seats have been removed from the southern and northern ends of the ground.

The new Allianz Stadium big screens. Source: Supplied

The massive screens were being tested last week in preparation for the next A-League match at Moore Park, Sydney FC versus Brisbane Roar on March 15.

The Sydney Roosters will then host the Panthers in round three of NRL action on March 23.

WINNING

THE Autumn carnival gets into full swing on Saturday with some of the best horses in the country set to go around at Royal Randwick and Flemington. In the Group 1 Randwick Guineas, Hallowed Crown, Shooting To Win, Scissor Kick and Sweynesse will all line-up while south of the border in Melbourne, Kermadec, Wandjina and Alpine Eagle will do battle over 1600m at Flemington. Remember you've got to speculate to accumulate.

Hugh Bowman rides Hallowed Crown to win race 6, The Blackwoods CRC Hobartville Stakes during Sydney racing at Rosehill Gardens. Source: Getty Images

DUNCE CAP

WE teed off on the smoke and mirrors NRL Integrity Unit a month ago, having a good giggle about how the bastion of the greatest game of all is simply window dressing firing Russian roulette bullets. Now supercoach Wayne Bennett has confirmed it, choosing some different dialogue to express how much of a laughing stock the whole charade has become. The mobile phones episode from earlier in the week was one of their best. Enough said.

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SPOTTED

WALLABY and Waratahs legend Phil Waugh and ex-teammate Benn Robinson enjoying dinner at Lucio's Italian restaurant in Paddo last night. With Robinson set to eclipse Waugh's record 136 Super 15 games for the Tahs, Waugh was spied with a bottle of 1999 Grange Hermitage. The significance? It was the year Waugh debuted for NSW. Congratulations to Robinson, who has been working on his fitness with league legend Mark "Spud" Carroll.

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Meninga: Titans face true test of character

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TURBULENCE maketh the man.

It is a line I use quite a bit in discussions I have with players and with business people, and it is something I have been thinking about a lot in the past couple of weeks when conversation has turned to the Gold Coast Titans.

Handling adversity is one of the qualities that defines champion players, champion teams and champion clubs.

No other club in the NRL has had to endure more over the off-season than the Titans.

Titans Player Beau Falloon and his lawyer Chris Nyst at Southport Court. Photo Michael Ross Source: News Corp Australia

We know that. What all rugby league fans, and especially Gold Coast fans, are waiting to find out is how the Titans respond to it.

BIRD DENIES A 'WHITE WEDDING'

SHARKS OR TITANS? MANLY DITCH DCE OFFER

To have a successful team, you need people bonding together, making sure everyone is heading in the right direction and everyone is willing to put in to achieve common goals. Hopefully the Titans have taken the opportunity to turn tough times into a time to get tough.

Look at Cronulla a few years back when Ricky Stuart was the coach.

They went through a fair degree of turmoil at that club, but they still went out and played to their potential every week. They insulated themselves against the dramas and made a pact to keep turning up and keep playing for each other.

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The Titans need to follow the same blueprint. The club's off-field issues will not be to blame for a dropped pass or a bad read in defence.

There are still some dramas that the club needs to navigate over the coming weeks.

But now it at the very least has stability.

The NRL got involved, but, importantly for the club, there was a good show of faith in the Titans' management with key people like Graham Annesley, Rebecca Frizelle and Darryl Kelly staying in place.

They have the stability and they have the right people in place. All the players need to do is go out and perform.

The Titans have stability, and they have leadership.

Gold Coast Titans player Greg Bird reports to Southport Police Station to be fingerprinted. Picture Glenn Hampson Source: News Corp Australia

What the club needs now is a group of men willing to get the bit between their teeth and fight to the bitter end.

If they can mould a group of 20 men into a team that plays for each other, will not give in and will not back down, then the ingredients are there for the Titans to be the surprise packets of the season.

I think they will beat Wests Tigers at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday. It is their first test of character. I look forward to seeing how they respond.

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City’s golden chance for finals fling

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MELBOURNE City is about to embark upon a week that will make or break its finals charge.

Starting Sunday, John van't Schip's men play the competition's three bottom sides in seven days.

Having defeated Adelaide last week, City would have to string together four consecutive wins if it is to claim maximum points against Central Coast (away on Sunday), Western Sydney (away next Wednesday) and Newcastle (home next Saturday).

It's a feat rarely achieved in the A-League, so rare that it has only been done twice this season — by league-leader Perth in rounds 4-7 and fourth-placed Wellington in rounds 11-14.

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Central Coast has been a bogy side for City (nee Heart).

It has only defeated the Mariners once in 14 attempts and in six games at Gosford has lost five and drawn one, scoring just two goals in the process.

But if Patrick Kisnorbo and co can exorcise those demons on Sunday then the rest of the dominoes might topple.

The Wanderers will be playing their sixth match in 19 days next Wednesday owing to their Asian Champions League commitments, while the Jets have hardly given a yelp all season.

"If you have the ambition to make it to the finals then these are the games you have to win," City defender Kew Jaliens said.

Melbourne City's Aaron Mooy on the charge against Adelaide United. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: News Corp Australia

"No matter what, these are three good opportunities for us to get three points and that's how we'll approach it as well."

Imagine for a second that City does claim three wins in its next three games — sixth place will be its to lose.

A clash with Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium the following week would be largely immaterial as the next week, March 28, sees it play Brisbane at AAMI Park in what would be a mini-final.

Leading up to that game the Roar, currently two points behind City in the race for sixth but with a game in hand, play the Wanderers (9th) twice, Sydney (5th) and Wellington (4th) but also have to play an ACL match against Suwon Bluewings (March 18).

It also played in Japan on Wednesday night, defeating Uruwa Red Diamonds 1-0.

The prize for City against Brisbane that night, should it win, could be a near insurmountable gap over the Roar with just four games to play and the promise of finals for just the second time.

CITY 6th 24pts (played 18)

Sunday v Central Coast (A)

Mar 11 v Western Sydney (A)

Mar 14 v Newcastle (H)

Mar 20 v Sydney (A)

Mar 28 v Brisbane (H)

BRISBANE 7th 22pts (played 17)

Sunday v Western Sydney (H)

Mar 15 v Sydney (A)

Mar 22 v Wellington (H)

Mar 25 v Western Sydney (H)

Mar 28 v City (A)

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India tells off Kohli over abuse of journalist

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UPDATE: THE Indian cricket team's testy relationship with their own country's media representatives is showing no signs of thawing.

Offspinner Ravi Ashwin on Thursday washed his hands of the Virat Kohli affair, saying he didn't know anything about it and it wasn't his role to weigh into the topic.

Kohli hurled abuse at Hindustan Times reporter Jasvinder Sidhu on Tuesday for writing a story about his private life.

Virat Kohli is under pressure after taking a journalist to task at a presser. Source: AFP

Vice-captain Kohli later realised it was a case of mistaken identity and offered an apology through another reporter.

Ashwin said he didn't know anything about it, although he was happy to dish out some advice to the Indian media at the WACA ahead of Friday's World Cup Pool B clash between India and West Indies.

"Media are here to support us. It's very heartening to see the media turn up in huge numbers and try to support us," Ashin said.

"Media has got a very responsible (role) of taking cricket back home in a very responsible fashion, taking cricket to the public in the way it needs to be taken.

"There are times when I'm not happy with that. But there are other times where you support the players and it's very important to take the game forward.

"I do not know what has happened. It's definitely not in my jurisdiction.

Ravi Ashwin didn't want to buy into the Kohli debate. Source: AFP

"I'm not a part of the deciding authority or the management.

"I'm very honest about it. I do not know what's happened."

Late on Thursday the BCCI said it had told Kohli to "maintain the dignity of the Indian team at all times."

"The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken note of the incident that occurred at Perth a couple of days ago," said BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur.

"The BCCI has been in touch with the Indian team management on this issue, and has advised that this kind of incident should not be repeated.

"The BCCI respects the role played by the media in covering and popularizing the game of cricket, and acknowledges the support of the media, in its mission to administer and promote the game of cricket in India.

"The player in question has been told to maintain the dignity of the Indian team at all times, and avoid any such behaviour in the future."

Sidhu has complained to cricket's governing body, the ICC, which is staging the 2015 World Cup tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

"How can he abuse and intimidate someone?," Sidhu said.

The Hindustan Times has also filed a complaint to the ICC, the cricinfo website reports.

An ICC spokesman did not respond to a request via email to confirm the complaints or the possible sanctions Kohli might face.

It's understood the fact that incident happened at a training session at Murdoch Oval on Tuesday, rather than at an official game or ICC media conference, means there's little the ICC can do to sanction the player for bringing the sport into disrepute.

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India's media manager Dr R N Baba said on Wednesday: "There was a misunderstanding and no abusive language was used."

Sidhu had a different version of events.

"The abuses kept coming till he disappeared into the dressing room," Sidhu said.

India team director Ravi Shastri has reportedly told Kohli his behaviour was "unbecoming".

India's touring media is known to be frustrated with its lack of media opportunities.

The India side can sometimes go for four or five days without doing any media events, only returning to face any scrutiny at official pre-match and post-match news conferences.

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Kokkinakis to open against Czechs

Young Australian star Thanasi Kokkinakis. Source: David Cronin / News Corp Australia

FIRST-TIME Davis Cup captain Wally Masur has made a shock selection for this weekend's group tie against the Czech Republic.

Thanasi Kokkinakis, 18, will be Australia's number two singles player behind Bernard Tomic in this weekend's world group tie against the top-ranked Czech Republic in Ostrava.

Kokkinakis, who has never played a live Davis Cup rubber, will be the first Australian on court at the Cez Arena when he takes on the Czech number one Lukas Rosol, ranked 31 in the world, on Friday night AEST.

At first glance it would seem a major gamble by Masur, especially as the 133-ranked Kokkinakis only came into the squad last week with the withdrawal of Australia's rising star Nick Kyrgios, but he says the decision is part of an overall tactical plan to outstay the Czechs over the three day tie.

Australian tennis player Bernard Tomic (L) and Czech tennis player Lukas Rosol. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

The Czech Republic, who won the Cup in 2012 and 2013 and were semi-finalists last year, have been weakened by the withdrawal of world number nine Tomas Berdych and the experienced Radek Stepanek. Jiri Vesely, ranked 45, has been chosen as the Czech's number two singles player and is expected to also partner Rosol in Saturday's doubles.

By playing Kokkinakis first-up and relying on world 38 Tomic to continue his five match unbeaten Davis Cup streak on hardcourt, Masur will be able to put the fresh pairing of Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Groth up against Rosol and Vesely who face the prospect of playing on every day of the tie. He will then have the option of using Hewitt or Groth for the final singles match on Sunday if required.

"We feel we have a team that is fairly equally matched," Masur said. "They can share the workload over three days, so playing Thanasi was a decision made looking at the opposition and the tie in its entirety.

"There wasn't much in it to be honest. All three of the other guys could have played that second singles spot behind Bernie. Everyone hit the ball really well at training but I just go back to sharing the workload.

"I feel like there is a decision to be made after the doubles. We can have a look at the tie and see how we're sitting. Practice was really tight, they were splitting sets. The form of Thanasi and Bernie has been particularly good in the lead-up tournaments so that was encouraging.

"This is my first tie as a captain but I've been involved in Davis Cup a long time and it really struck me from the first day to the last how well all the boys were playing so it was a difficult decision."

(LtoR) Australian tennis players Thanasi Kokkinakis, Lleyton Hewitt, Samuel Groth, Bernard Tomic and team captain Wally Masur. Source: AFP

For Kokkinakis, whose only previous Davis Cup court-time was a straight sets loss to France's Julien Benneteau in a dead rubber last year, opening Australia's campaign in front of a packed stadium of rabid Czech supporters is a huge jump, but he is excited by the prospect.

"It's definitely a big job and obviously a real important one but I feel I've trained hard and played well these last few weeks," he said. "I played in the dead rubber in France and had a taste of it, so I'm really looking forward to getting out and playing."

His fellow singles player Tomic has no doubt the pair will be up to the job.

"It's an amazing feeling to play Davis Cup," he said. "I've always played my best tennis in this event. I missed last year but for me to be here again right now is very motivating.

"Kokk's got a big job ahead of him and I'm sure he'll get it done. After that I have to step out on the court and really bring back those memories of when I've played in the past. I sure I'll play well but it's going to be tough, no doubt about that."

Wally Masur. Source: News Limited

Thursday's draw also pits Jiri Vesely against Bernard Tomic on indoor hardcourt in the eastern city of Ostrava.

The 133th-ranked Kokkinakis is a surprise choice for Australia captain Wally Masur, who also has Lleyton Hewitt and big serving Samuel Groth available.

Kokkinakis made the team as a substitute for the injured Nick Kyrgios.

The Czechs are without Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek, the stalwarts who led them to the title in 2012 and 2013.

In Saturday's doubles, Czech rookies Adam Pavlasek and Jan Mertl will face Groth and Hewitt.

Reverse singles are on Sunday.

The winner will play Italy or Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals in July.

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