NZ TEAM NAMED FOR TEST MATCH ON SATURDAY

[dimitri]

Thomas follows in the footsteps of his father
Sun Oct 12, 5:23pm (NZ)
Written by: Ian Stewart
Thomas Leuluai has followed in the footsteps of his famous father, James by being named halfback for the Kiwis in their one-off test match against Australia next Friday night.

Leuluai is one of many changes in the Kiwi line up.

Jason and Nathan Cayless have been named as starting props, while Tony Puletua and Joe Galuvao start in the second row. In another surprise, Nigel Vagana has been named at stand-off.

The full line up is as follows;

Motu Tony
Henry Fa’afili
Vinnie Anderson
Clinton Toopi
Francis Meli
Nigel Vagana
Thomas Leuluai
Nathan Cayless
Monty Betham
Jason Cayless
Tony Puletua
Joe Galuvao
Ruben Wiki

Interchange bench;

Awen Guttenbeil
Jery Seuseu
Ali Lauiti’iti
Sione Faumuina

 

[yakstorm]

Other than no Stacey Jones, I think that looks a better NZ side than the first test.

 

[Special K]

I wonder why they put Tony into fullback and Vagana into 5/8..

But bloody hell thats a huge forward pack! :shock:

 

[yakstorm]

I wonder why they put Tony into fullback and Vagana into 5/8..

But bloody hell thats a huge forward pack! :shock:

Vagana played his junior football at five-eighth including when he was a Junior Kiwi. Whilst yes, Talau did, Vagana at least has the ability to pass the ball.

 

[southern warrior]

i dont like the choice of anderson over whatuira.

 

[raidersman]

wiki at lock!?!?! :?

 

[In-goal]

i dont like the choice of anderson over whatuira.

i agree with that.

Just a pity Australia never play any nation at there peak.

No Jones, Paul, Vaikona, Smith to name but a few.

 

[Bobby DIGital]

Anderson is a disgraceful selection. If youre gonna move Vagna geez id rather have him at fullback and Motu Tony at 5.8. But no he should of never been moved. Faumuina should of been named at 5/8. Who knows it might be a ploy.

 

[dimitri]

this side may not be the one that takes the field

and they will likely switch during the game

 

[Misanthrope]

I'd have taken Anderson over Whatuira as well. Anderson's more rested, has more experience with the players around him (considering most are Warriors), and he's less defensively weak.

I'd say Tony will shift to five eighth early on, just as I think Wiki will move to the front row to allow Faumuina to come on and play some ball.

Paul, Jones, Vainakolo, and guys like Michael Smith will be sorely missed.

Chris

 

[AdamH]

Disappointed for Whatuira but i'm hoping Vagana's five eighth selection doesn't turn out like Willie Talau's! Good to see Tony and Joe paired in the starting line up aswell.

 

[Lantana]

How many tickets have been sold for this game?

 

[In-goal]

Paul, Jones, Vainakolo, and guys like Michael Smith will be sorely missed.

I was acctually reffering to Wiganer Craig Smith, Mike Smith has seemed to have fallen of the Earth this last season.

 

[JJ]

Tha Australians won't be at full strength either - far from it.

We (NZ) really do suffer for lack of depth at 5/8 and half!!! Leuleuai and Vagana - give me a break

 

[PARRA_FAN]

I wonder if theyll pick a less experienced Australian team against New Zealand:

Darren Lockyer [c]
Matt Sing
Ryan Girdler
Mick DeVere
Luke Lewis
Craig Wing
Craig Gower
Robbie Kearns
Danny Buderus
Petero Civiniceva
Mick Croker
Craig Fitzgibbon
Luke Ricketson

Phil Bailey
Joel Clinton
Trent Waterhouse
Richard Villasanti

Not a bad line-up cant wait to see Villa lining up against his Warrior team-mates.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry, but I can't imagine a stupider team. How the hell are we supposed to win with Vagana and Leuluai in the halves.

I can't believe Anderson and Leuluai, who are barely average first-graders, are in the starting line-up while brilliant players like Faumuina and Lauiti'iti are on the bench.

Halves should have been Faumuina/Tony. To be honest I am pretty concerned about DA's Warriors bias here, smacks of Chris Anderson and the Sharks. Look at that back-line, we've somehow ended up with Fa'afili and Anderson in the starting line-up while Utai allegedly has a "bad attitude".

I'm also surprised that with all the good-backrowers we have, Anderson wants to start both Cayless brothers, why couldn't he have put Wiki at prop and started Lauiti'iti or Faumuina, Nathan Cayless hasn't played much lately. But I'm not overly concerned about this one.

Considering we have plenty of players who could play fullback at a pinch, and only 2 specialist halves, I can't believe that DA doesn't have Motu Tony in the halves. Putting him at fullback is just a total luxury and totally screws up our halves. If we'd shunted Fa'afili back to fullback, and put maybe Toopi or Vagana on the wing, we could have had good creative halves in Tony and Faumuina. Instead we have dry balls Leuluai and wtf Vagana.

God I hope they prove me wrong, but I don't like this one bit.

 

[dimitri]

utai is suspect under the high ball

and slow to turn around for grubber kicks

i think he has got the forward pack spot on

 

[Kasper]

anderson over whaturia is discraceful.

 

[aqua_duck]

Was Rauhihi fit for selection?

I agree with the Whatuira thing, he's a very under rated player.

 

[aqua_duck]

i dont like the choice of anderson over whatuira.

i agree with that.

Just a pity Australia never play any nation at there peak.

No Jones, Paul, Vaikona, Smith to name but a few.

Well Australia without Johns, barrett, Kennedy, Bailey, Lyon, Hindmarsh, Tallis. Need I say more?