Kiwi squad named

[TIGERPies]

Kiwis pick Utai
By Megan Neil
October 5, 2004

NEW Zealand has named Bulldogs star Matt Utai in its rugby league Test side to play Australia even though he has indicated he's unavailable as he needs ankle surgery.

Kiwis coach Daniel Anderson said he hoped winger Utai, who scored two tries in Sunday's NRL grand final win, would be able to play the opening Tri-Nations series Test against the Kangaroos on Saturday week before undergoing the surgery.

"We're hopeful he's available for the first Test on the 16th, but he will not be available after that," said Anderson.

The Kiwis named Warriors centre Vinnie Anderson to fill their problem five eighth spot even though he has little experience in the position.

"It is not as much about the jersey number as a role that he will be playing," said Anderson who admitted his team was "skinny in the halves".

Thomas Leuluai will play at halfback with longtime No.7 Stacey Jones having announced his international retirement last month.

England-based stars Robbie Paul, Lesley Vainikolo and Joe Vagana were unavailable for the Test against Australia in Auckland as they will be playing for Bradford in the English Super league grand final.

North Queensland prop Paul Rauhihi will also miss the opening Test through injury though he is expected to be available for the rest of the series and was included in the extended squad.

NZ team to play Australia:: Brent Webb (Warriors), Francis Meli (Warriors), Nigel Vagana (Cronulla), Paul Whatuira (Penrith), Matt Utai (Bulldogs), Vinnie Anderson (Warriors), Thomas Leuluai (Warriors), Jason Cayless (Sydney Roosters), Louis Anderson (Warriors), Ruben Wiki (capt, Canberra), Tony Puletua (Penrith), Joe Galuvao (Penrith), Sonny Bill Williams (Bulldogs), Motu Tony (Castleford), Roy Asotasi (Bulldogs), Nathan Cayless (Parramatta), David Kidwell (Melbourne).

Also named in extended squad: Paul Rauhihi (North Queensland), Jamal Lolesi (Bulldogs), Clinton Toopi (Warriors), Dean Halatau (West Tigers), Wairangi Koopu (Warriors).

AAP

 

[Stagger eel]

I'm pretty sure Rauhihi is out with a calf injury.

 

[Johns Magic]

I'm pretty sure Rauhihi is out with a calf injury.

He'd better be.

 

[hrundi99]

Maybe Vinnie is there to lead the Haka

Isn't that Ruben's job?

 

[T]

congrats halatua well deserved ;-)

 

[lockyno1]

I'm pretty sure Rauhihi is out with a calf injury.

He is out with that calf injury. He was supposed to be out for aroud 4 weeks during the finals but played on with the injury

 

[Big Mick]

you;d think for the remainder of the series this'd be the team:

1. Webb
2. Vanikolo
3. Vagana
4. Lolesi
5. Meli
6. V. Anderson
7. Luelei
8. Rahuhi
9. Paul
10. Cayless
11. Wiki
12. Puletua
13. Williams

14. J. Vagana
15. J. Galuvao
16. R. Asotasi
17. D. Kidwell
18. N. Cayless

 

[aids]

does anyone remember what the anzac team looked like?

 

[doogiehowser_md]

Lolesi would p*ss all over Meli! :evil:

 

[msjd]

the Anzac team was:
1.Vagana
2.Meli
3.Toopi
4.Whatuira
5.Vainikolo
6.Faumuina
7.Leuluai
8.J.Cayless
9.R.Paul
10.N.Cayless
11.Galuvao
12.Puletua
13.Kidwell
14.S.B. Williams
15.Seu Seu
16.Latu
17.Wiki

 

[Magpie Nick]

1. Nigel Vagana
2. Lesley Vainikolo
3. Paul Whatuira
4. Clinton Toopi
5. Francis Meli

6. Sione Faumuina
7. Thomas Leuluai

13. David Kidwell
12. Tony Puletua
11. Jow Galuvao
10. Jason Cayless
9. Robbie Paul
8. Nathan Cayless

14. Jerry SeuSeu
15. Sonny Bill Williams
16. Frank Pritchard
17. Stephen Kearney

Not sure if Pritchard played though.. Guttenbiel might of played instead.

I think NZ's best team is this:

1. Brent Webb
2. Lesley Vainikolo
3. Shontayne Hape
4. Paul Whatuira
5. Francis Meli

6. Motu Tony
7. Robbie Paul

13. Ruben Wiki (C)
12. Tony Puletua
11. Joe Galuvao
10. Jaosn Cayless
9. Louis Anderson
8. Paul Rauhihi

14. David Kidwell
15. Ali Lauitiiti
16. Sonny Bill Williams
17. Joe Vagana/Roy Asotasi

If Thurston made himself available to the Kiwis then he goes to 5/8 and Tony to Hooker with Anderson dropping out all together.

 

[budz]

I'm pretty sure Rauhihi is out with a calf injury.

He is out with that calf injury. He was supposed to be out for aroud 4 weeks during the finals but played on with the injury

"North Queensland prop Paul Rauhihi will also miss the opening Test through injury though he is expected to be available for the rest of the series and was included in the extended squad."

 

[JK]

Great turn-around for Utai! From discarded and unwanted to them begging him to take the field for a game!

He had attitude problems but perhaps can now get on with the job!

 

[doogiehowser_md]

I would have

1. Brent Webb
2. Matt Utai
3. Nigel Vagana
4. Jamal Lolesi
5. Lesley Vainikolo
6. Motu Tony
7. Robbie Paul
8. Paul Rauhihi
9. Louis Anderson
10. Jason Cayless
11. Tony Puletua
12. Ruben Wiki
13. Sonny Bill Williams
Res
Paul Whatuira, David Kidwell, Roy Asotasi, Joe galuvao

 

[Kiwipanther]

Either way:
Put another Kangaroo on the barbie! or put another Kangaroo in the hungi!

:roll:

 

[choc_soldier]

or put another Kangaroo in the hungi!

What, bury us?

:lol:

 

[shiznit]

maybe you mean hangi?

 

[WarriorDog]

#-o #-o #-o #-o

I cant farkin believe he's stuck Vinnie Anderson at 5/8th...what the f**k happened to Marcus Perenara?...at least he resembled a 5/8th...whats the logic here? Vinnie wouldnt even make a back's a-hole!

Lolesi should have been in the 17.

 

[Ray]

Ali Lauitiiti will be available AFTER this Test. Why did they have to select the teams to early?

Vinnie Anderson at standoff? He won't start there. Motu Tony will likely come into the side to play five-eighth, typical tactic of Daniel Anderson. It happened last year as well, when they named Vagana at 6, but he ended up elsewhere. Webb might be an option at standoff as well, could easily move Vagana back and replace him with Lolesi.

Utai being available for this Test is a real bonus, but why is Jamaal Lolesi not selected? Even though he hasn't had much game time for a while, he is twice the player that Meli is on the wing. I'm happy with Louis Anderson at hooker, superb tackler and is a good passer of the ball.

The Kiwis should be bolstered when the ESL players return - the likes of Lauitiiti, Hape, Vainikolo and Paul.

 

[Ray]

Ali Lauitiiti will be available AFTER this Test. Why did they have to select the teams to early?

Vinnie Anderson at standoff? He won't start there. Motu Tony will likely come into the side to play five-eighth, typical tactic of Daniel Anderson. It happened last year as well, when they named Vagana at 6, but he ended up elsewhere. Webb might be an option at standoff as well, could easily move Vagana back and replace him with Lolesi.

Utai being available for this Test is a real bonus, but why is Jamaal Lolesi not selected? Even though he hasn't had much game time for a while, he is twice the player that Meli is on the wing. I'm happy with Louis Anderson at hooker, superb tackler and is a good passer of the ball.

The Kiwis should be bolstered when the ESL players return - the likes of Lauitiiti, Hape, Vainikolo and Paul.