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Manly coach Des Hasler has backed in-form Sea Eagles centre Steve Matai to make his international debut for New Zealand next month after another strong performance in Sunday's NRL win over the Bulldogs.
Hasler rated Matai a near-certainty for selection in the New Zealand team for the Anzac test against Australia in Brisbane on May 5 after backing up his star showing last week against St George Illawarra and Kangaroos centre Mark Gasnier with another fine display in Manly's 40-14 thumping of the Bulldogs at Telstra Stadium.
"They could certainly do with him," Hasler said.
"They talked about it (New Zealand selection) last week after his performance against a class opposition in (Dragons and Australian centre Mark) Gasnier, which was very good.
"And I think he's backed that up here today. He's certainly somewhere in the 17."
Matai scored one of the more unusual tries in Manly's win, grounding a Matt Orford kick through the hands of Bulldogs' Hazem El Masri after a mix-up between the winger and fullback Luke Patten.
The 21-year-old said he was trying to block out talk of possible New Zealand selection for the Anzac test against Australia.
"If you think about it too much it's going to affect your game," Matai said.
"I'm just out there doing my best for Manly. If I get chosen it's a bonus. If not, it's not the end of the world.
"It would be a dream come true. Everyone aspires to play for their country."
Centre partner Steve Bell also gave his representative chances a boost with a strong display against fellow Queensland Origin hopeful Willie Tonga. Bell continued his impressive tryscoring run since joining the Sea Eagles from Melbourne this season, completing Manly's rout with the team's seventh and final touchdown in the 74th minute.
The 29-year-old, however, wasn't keen to talk up his chances."(Origin) is still a fair way off. A lot of things can happen between now and then," Bell said.
"So I'm not really thinking about it yet. I'm just trying to concentrate on playing well for Manly."
Manly coach Des Hasler has backed in-form Sea Eagles centre Steve Matai to make his international debut for New Zealand next month after another strong performance in Sunday's NRL win over the Bulldogs.
Hasler rated Matai a near-certainty for selection in the New Zealand team for the Anzac test against Australia in Brisbane on May 5 after backing up his star showing last week against St George Illawarra and Kangaroos centre Mark Gasnier with another fine display in Manly's 40-14 thumping of the Bulldogs at Telstra Stadium.
"They could certainly do with him," Hasler said.
"They talked about it (New Zealand selection) last week after his performance against a class opposition in (Dragons and Australian centre Mark) Gasnier, which was very good.
"And I think he's backed that up here today. He's certainly somewhere in the 17."
Matai scored one of the more unusual tries in Manly's win, grounding a Matt Orford kick through the hands of Bulldogs' Hazem El Masri after a mix-up between the winger and fullback Luke Patten.
The 21-year-old said he was trying to block out talk of possible New Zealand selection for the Anzac test against Australia.
"If you think about it too much it's going to affect your game," Matai said.
"I'm just out there doing my best for Manly. If I get chosen it's a bonus. If not, it's not the end of the world.
"It would be a dream come true. Everyone aspires to play for their country."
Centre partner Steve Bell also gave his representative chances a boost with a strong display against fellow Queensland Origin hopeful Willie Tonga. Bell continued his impressive tryscoring run since joining the Sea Eagles from Melbourne this season, completing Manly's rout with the team's seventh and final touchdown in the 74th minute.
The 29-year-old, however, wasn't keen to talk up his chances."(Origin) is still a fair way off. A lot of things can happen between now and then," Bell said.
"So I'm not really thinking about it yet. I'm just trying to concentrate on playing well for Manly."
