NZRL: Kiwis team discussion

[Steelers]

Source: www.foxsports.com.au

Four new Kiwi caps

PARRAMATTA fullback Krisnan Inu is one of four uncapped players named in a youthful New Zealand rugby league squad for the Anzac Test with Australia in Brisbane on Friday.

Inu, 20, joins Brisbane utility Greg Eastwood and Warriors props Sam Rapira and Evarn Tuimavave - all part of the New Zealand A side which comfortably beat Australia in Melbourne last year - in the 19-man squad named by coach Brian McClennan this morning.

Injuries and unavailabilities played havoc with McClennan's selections.

Inu, who has shone for Parramatta's reserve grade side, was a late inclusion after regular fullback Brent Webb could not make the trip from his Leeds base in England due to the birth of his first child.

Eastwood, 20, is included after strong early season form for the Broncos.

He was set to make his Test debut against Great Britain last June but was ruled out with a hamstring injury.

The squad include no British-based players. McClennan said the Kiwi selectors faced the usual challenges assembling a squad at this time of the year.

"It's not easy for us but this is very much the beginning of a project," he said.

"We're moving into a new era with Ruben (Wiki) and Nigel (Vagana) now off the Test scene. We have picked some young players as we look ahead to next year's World Cup."

Other features of the side are the return of stars Benji Marshall and Sonny Bill Williams, who both missed last year's Tri-Nations tournament due to shoulder and knee injuries respectively.

Williams' Bulldogs teammate, Ben Roberts, who debuted last year against Great Britain, will don France-based Stacey Jones' No.7 jersey.

Those missing from the side which lost narrowly to the Kangaroos in the Tri-Nations final last November, are retired duo Wiki and Vagana, the unavailable Jones and Webb, injured players Shontayne Hape (knee), Steve Matai (ankle), David Kidwell (knee) and Adam Blair (foot), and Hull's Motu Tony, who wasn't included.

Veteran forward Tony Puletua, centre Paul Whatuira, centre-wing Jake Webster and hooker David Faiumu all return to the squad.

New Zealand Warriors utility Lance Hohaia was also ruled out after sustaining a nasty gash to his ear during yesterday's NRL win over North Queensland.

McClennan will name his starting 13 and captain, widely tipped to be South Sydney prop Roy Asotasi, tomorrow. The team assemble in Brisbane tomorrow.

Squad: Backs: Krisnan Inu (Parramatta), Manu Vatuvei (NZ Warriors), Paul Whaturia (Wests Tigers), Iosia Soliola (Sydney Roosters), Jake Webster (Gold Coast), Benji Marshall (Tigers), Ben Roberts (Canterbury Bulldogs). Forwards: Roy Asotasi (South Sydney), Dene Halatau (Tigers), David Faiumu (North Queensland), Nathan Cayless (Parramatta), Sam Rapira (Warriors), Evarn Tuimavave (Warriors), Simon Mannering (Warriors), Tony Puletua (Penrith), David Fa'alogo (Souths), Sonny Bill Williams (Bulldogs), Frank Pritchard (Penrith), Greg Eastwood (Brisbane)

[Darren Lockyer]

well done jake

[Go_The_Doggies]

Very pleased with that side.
Congrats to Webby's parnter Jenny for finally giving birth it could work a treat for us, finally we have another speciallist fullback, even if he is only a youngster making his debut.

[qld power]

not to shabby kiwi team one for the future hopefully by the time of the world cup next year that whole squad will be together still

[Cowboy Titan]

I think that NZ team will be tough for the Aussies to beat. Then again, apparently all the Aussies selected are in form???

[qld power]

if the kiwis lose by under 20 i would look on as good game and by the time the tri nations come along if its on this year the boys should go better

[Steelers]

That team has a strong chance to topple the overrated Aussie outfit IMO. Good luck to them

[Future Star]

The Kiwis shall win

[Hoppy2007Dragons]

a very formidable opponet, it shall be a cracker of a game.

[Go_The_Doggies]

I don't like everyone saying we have a good chance LOL.
I love everyone saying we have no chance, then we show everyone and put in a good hard game.

[Steve]

While there's probably a few risks with the younger players, it's good to see some faith being put in them.
Vatuvei seems to have been going well, and Whaturia is always solid and often dangerous. I think both Webster and Marshall are going great.
Probably the kiwis have the more in form backs.

Forward pack is strong, and it'll need to be. Not sure how well Sonny Bill has been playing, but he'll need a big game. Pritchard has probably been the Panthers best this year, so as long as he holds onto the ball, he'll be dangerous.

[Chaos]

I feel the Kiwi's halves are going to have one hell of a hard time...you can't hide both in defence.
Their not the greatest organisers and their kicking game might struggle.