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Kiwis Train on squad

ozbash

Referee
Messages
26,915
Prospective Kiwis debutants Ben Henry and Alehana Mara have been included in the New Zealand Rugby League's preliminary squad for the trans-Tasman test against the Kangaroos in Townsville next month.

Meanwhile, winger Jason Nightingale unavailable due to knee surgery.

Nightingale was a notable omission from the 12-man group comprising players whose clubs are not involved in the NRL finals series.

The St George Illawarra wing/fullback has been an automatic selection in the Kiwis in recent years, opening up competition to occupy a flank for the one-off international on October 13.

One-test Kiwi wing Matt Duffie (Melbourne Storm) is already out of contention with a season-ending shoulder injury which also required an operation.

Sydney Rooster-turned Canterbury Bulldog Sam Perrett shapes as a potential candidate to resume his international career as Nightingale's replacement.

Centre and second-rower Henry, who made his first grade debut for the New Zealand Warriors in the opening round of the 2012 campaign, and teammate Mara (hooker) are the only uncapped players in the train-on squad named today by selectors Richie Barnett, Tony Iro, Tawera Nikau and coach Stephen Kearney.

Warriors fullback Kevin Locke, who missed April's Anzac Test defeat in Auckland due to injury, is again unavailable for selection as he recuperates from a high ankle sprain.

Australian-born Dragons and former Warriors utility Nathan Fien is also missing from the side that lost at Eden Park - the clash signalled his retirement from representative football.

Despite their dismal season the Warriors supply seven players including out of form halfback Shaun Johnson, who made his test debut in April.

Players will be added to the squad as they their clubs are eliminated from premiership contention, starting this weekend.

Kiwis train-on squad: Sam McKendry (Penrith Panthers), Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters), Ben Henry, Shaun Johnson, Simon Mannering, Alehana Mara, Ben Matulino, Elijah Taylor, Manu Vatuvei (New Zealand Warriors),

www.stuff.co.nz

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/7618903/Mara-and-Henry-in-Kiwis-train-on-squad
 
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Messages
4,924
Henry and Mara?

Good to see no Brown or MoiMoi, but surprised by Rusty's absence...... could mean that we have Kasiano locked and loaded?

Would of been surprised too if we'd picked RTS to get him in the system.
 
D

Deleted member 10972

Guest
If you picked a team on caps...

1. Perrett (19)
2. Nightingale (16)
3. Kenny-Dowall (8)
4. Matai (11)
5. Vatuvei (20)
6. Marshall (28)
7. Leuluai (27)
8. Blair (24)
9. Luke (22)
10. Asotasi (18)
11. Pritchard (21)
12. Mannering (28)
13. Smith (24)

14. Hohaia (29)
15. Eastwood (17)
16. Matulino (12)
17. Rapira (13)

Reserve backs: Webb (16), Soliola (12), Ropati (11), Sa'u (9), Foran (7)
Reserve props: Moimoi (12), Hargreaves (11), Nuuausala (9), Lima (7)
Reserve backrowers: Manu (14), Harrison (13), Halatau (11), Fa'alogo (11)

Obviously that isn't realistic, as the ESL players rarely get considered, and some like Sa'u and Harrison are struggling to crack first grade at the moment. Furthermore, it wouldn't be wise to overlook stellar young talent like Alex Glenn, Sam McKendry, Jesse Bromwich, Matt Duffie, Gerard Beale, etc. However, what can be derived from that list, is who are the most experienced players in key positions, and hence who should be automatic selections.
 

KeepingTheFaith

Referee
Messages
25,235
Not a very big team from the bottom 8 sides. Maybe that's a good thing and we'll be picking largely from guys who are in good form.

Guys who are available from top 8 sides?

Foran
Matai
Smith
Papalli
Taumalolo
Kasiano (whether he accepts is another thing)
Glenn
Beale
Hoffman
Eastwood
Halatau
Manu
Inu
Asotasi
Luke
Harrison

Anyone I've missed that actually has a chance?
 

Fufu Andronez

First Grade
Messages
8,464
I think u could prob add a few to that list ktf

Pritchard
Bromwich
Winterstein(maybe)
Perrett(maybe)

That's all I can see that are in with a chance from top 8 sides
 
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KeepingTheFaith

Referee
Messages
25,235
Not sure about Pritchard

He did "retire" from the Kiwis so he could play for Samoa, and then switched back. He played in the Anzac test this year. Don't remember seeing any retirement after that, but it may have happened.
 

Penrose Warrior

First Grade
Messages
8,602
Maybe the NRL gave Kasiano prop of the year at the Dally Ms on the proviso he'd sign up for Australia. We know Kiwi players don't win those awards much.
 

ramraider275

Juniors
Messages
93
Maybe the NRL gave Kasiano prop of the year at the Dally Ms on the proviso he'd sign up for Australia. We know Kiwi players don't win those awards much.

Read a article a few weeks back that there sorting the Origin Eligibility row out soon, a rule about having to of playing any grade from under 16's down to be eligble to play for a state. Kaisiano will be a casualty for that rule, if he makes the Kangaroos, he was mentioned in it. He'll be great for us...
 

Meth

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
34,478
tbh, from the Warriors, only Vatuvei, Mannering and Matulino deserve to be in the Kiwis mix this year.
 

TheDMC

Bench
Messages
3,340
I'm very far from convinced about Josh Hoffman as kiwis last line of defence. He is pretty weak. And tonight got completely burned on the outside by Brent Tate. A lot of talking up our no.1 stocks last year - locke and hoffman - compare them to aussie's options - slater/inglis/stewart/barba/bowen!

We should repoach Tate for the wazziers he's playing well this backend of the season.
 

Fufu Andronez

First Grade
Messages
8,464
Yeah Hoffman at kiwis fullback is pretty worrying but can't see to many other options tbh. Not looking good aye maybe the " great man" inu will get the gig
 

TheDMC

Bench
Messages
3,340
Hoffman - played 23 games, made 40 tackles, missed 22 tackles
Slater - 14 games, made 107, missed 33

hmmm
 
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