New Zealand: Kiwis Tri Nations Squad

[Queenslander]

Kiwis Tri Nations squad named
Wednesday, October 4, 2006 - 10:48 AM

New Zealand rugby league coach Brian McClennan has named five uncapped players in the Kiwis squad for the upcoming Tri Nations tournament against Australia and Great Britain.

The new caps are Melbourne Storm prop Adam Blair, New Zealand Warriors utility forward Epalahame Lauaki, plus centres Simon Mannering (Warriors), Steve Matai (Manly) and Isoia Soliola (Sydney Roosters).

Soliola was first selected for the Kiwis' Tri-Nations squad last year but had to withdraw due to a knee injury.

The Kiwis open the defence of their crown against the Kangaroos in Auckland on October 14.

They play the return match against Australia in Melbourne on October 21 and then have games against Great Britain in Christchurch (October 28) and Wellington (November 11).

New Zealand:

Roy Asotasi
Adam Blair
Jason Cayless
Nathan Cayless
David Fa'alogo
Awen Guttenbeil
Dene Halatau
Shontayne Hape
Stacey Jones
David Kidwell
Epalahame Lauaki
Simon Mannering
Steve Matai
Frank Pritchard
Tony Puletua
Jerome Ropati
Iosia Soliola
David Solomona
Motu Tony
Tame Tupou
Manu Vatuvei
Nigel Vagana
Brent Webb
Ruben Wiki (capt)

Source: AAP

[Capital_Shark]

Jake Webster? Greg Eastwood? Lance Hohia?

[[BroncosGirl]]

Woot congrats Tame! Well deserved :D!

[Meh]

Jake Webster? Greg Eastwood? Lance Hohia?

i believe webster has an injury and gold coast advised him not to play..eastwood im not sure about..hohia definatly deserves a spot, as does i think nathan fien.

[Capital_Shark]

i believe webster has an injury and gold coast advised him not to play..eastwood im not sure about..hohia definatly deserves a spot, as does i think nathan fien.

I think I remember reading Fien had a dodgy back.

[TitanBronco]

Sonny Bill? Reni Matuia?

[Capital_Shark]

Sonny Bill? Reni Matuia?

Sonny is injured and someone said Matuia was eledgable for Australia, not NZ, apparantly.

[~lee~]

Good to see Hape there, he will be a dangerman.

[Steve Dangerous]

not a bad squad. should make for a good series.

Matai definately deserved his callup, that fella's been rather good of late.

[BrisbaneBroncosRule]

well done Tame.

What about Lesley Vanikolo?

[~lee~]

well done Tame.

What about Lesley Vanikolo?

He's having surgery, i think he said his surgeon's become his best mate.

[Go_The_Doggies]

I'm happy with the team. :)

Except one thing.

NO BEN ROBERTS!!!! :( I really wanted him in the team dammit. *cries*




GO THE KIWIS!!!!! <3

MAY I ADD .. RENI MAITUA IS NOT A KIWI

[TitanBronco]

I'm happy with the team. :)

Except one thing.

NO BEN ROBERTS!!!! :( I really wanted him in the team dammit. *cries*




GO THE KIWIS!!!!! <3

MAY I ADD .. RENI MAITUA IS NOT A KIWI
Apparently he's dad is part samoan and Reni was born over here. There's no Kiwi blood in him at all.

[BrisbaneBroncosRule]

He's having surgery, i think he said his surgeon's become his best mate.

Yeah i realised this a couple of hours later, i totally forgot about it :)

[Go_The_Doggies]

SOme people seem to think because you are Samoan you are kiwi...that isnt the case.

Ffs Reni doesnt even like this goddamn country!!!

The NZ media are making it out to be like he lived here for 15 odd years then went to Australia..they need to do some research imo.

[Grimmace]

SOme people seem to think because you are Samoan you are kiwi...that isnt the case.

Ffs Reni doesnt even like this goddamn country!!!

The NZ media are making it out to be like he lived here for 15 odd years then went to Australia..they need to do some research imo.
His dad lived in N.Z for 20 years or something is it a slow news day over in N.Z or something

[Go_The_Doggies]

His dad lived in N.Z for 20 years or something is it a slow news day over in N.Z or something
Yep..on www.xtra.co.nz they even had a story and the title was something like "Kangaroos' Maitua turns down Kiwis"

oh ffs. :curse:

[Grimmace]

Hows Matua a Kiwi if he was samoan from what i remeber his dad lived there thats it.Even Matua has come out and said he is not kiwi

[Go_The_Doggies]

Hows Matua a Kiwi if he was samoan from what i remeber his dad lived there thats it.Even Matua has come out and said he is not kiwi
Exactly..he doesnt even like this country. IMO they just needed a story.

[Go_The_Doggies]

David Solomona is out of the whole Tri Nations :mad: , he did something to his arm. :(

[Queenslander]

David Solomona is out of the whole Tri Nations :mad: , he did something to his arm. :(

Here is the article:

Solomona out of Tri-Nations series
Sunday, October 8, 2006 - 7:40 PM

The Kiwis have suffered another setback in their Tri-Nations rugby league title defence with second rower David Solomona ruled out because of an arm injury.

The English Super League-based forward, the 24th member of the original New Zealand squad, told coach Brian McClennan he required immediate surgery on a torn biceps muscle, ruling him out of the series with the Kangaroos and Great Britain.

A second rower renowned for his ability to offload, Solomona's demise follows that of prodigy Sonny Bill Williams, who was unavailable due to a knee problem.

Solomona has played seven Tests, and played a key role in the Kiwis' surprising Tri-Nations triumph last year, mainly off the bench.

Formerly at Parramatta in the National Rugby League (NRL), the Aucklander now plays for Wakefield Trinity.

Kiwis coach Brian McClennan admitted he was disappointed to learn of Solomona's decision to withdraw.

"Dave Solomona is such a good man to have in the Kiwi camp that it is a real blow to lose him," McClennan told the Sunday Star Times newspaper.

He had hoped Solomona would be able to delay surgery until after the series, but a specialist's opinion advised an immediate operation.

Solomona has not been replaced with a spot already left open for Queensland-born utility Nathan Fien, who has been named subject to his recovering from a back injury.

Fien, who has played hooker or halfback for the New Zealand Warriors, is eligible for the Kiwis through a New Zealand grandparent and could be available for the Kiwis' second Test against the Kangaroos in Melbourne on October 21.

The series opens with New Zealand playing Australia in Auckland on Saturday night.

Source: AAP