Kiwis don't look too bad.....

[Belly in Brisvegas]

From the front page of LU.......

Brent Webb
Francis Meli
Nigel Vagana
Paul Whatuira
Matthew Utai
Vinnie Anderson
Thomas Leuluai
Jason Cayless
Louis Anderson
Ruben Wiki (c)
Tony Puletua
Joe Galuvao
Sonny Bill Williams
Interchange: Motu Tony, Roy Asotasi, Nathan Cayless, David Kidwell.

*********************************************************

Their halves are probably their weakest link and one of them MAY be with us next year. If they had Stacey Jones in there they would be quite formidable.

 

[Utey]

Very Very strong team but yeah their halves are abit weak. But who knows that forward pack is first class and the halves would have a lot of work with.

 

[Twizzle]

yeah, same here

take Stacey Jones out and they dont look so good, but plenty of size and speed, they just need a good play maker

 

[Belly in Brisvegas]

We will have our work cut out for us....it will be a very interesting tri-nations. The Poms are probably a bit confident after getting close last year....Bartman if you are reading this post, is it building up over there mate...what's the feeling about the tri-nations??

 

[Hurriflatch]

surley, they will go to the tri-nations with a bigger squad then 17 players.

 

[Belly in Brisvegas]

surley, they will go to the tri-nations with a bigger squad then 17 players.

I think this is just the squad for the test against us on the 16th.

 

[BlueNGoldBlood]

very solid squad.. if they get a roll on with their forwards the halves will start to shine

 

[thewizard1o1]

I would say that SBW will do a bit of ball handleing from lock along with the other two, also Vagana may move a bit closer to the action (He cut us up playing 5/8 in last years test). If the Kiwi's can get on top early it should go right down to the wire.

 

[The Colonel]

I would say that SBW will do a bit of ball handleing from lock along with the other two, also Vagana may move a bit closer to the action (He cut us up playing 5/8 in last years test). If the Kiwi's can get on top early it should go right down to the wire.

Actually Faumuina played more at 5/8 than Vagana who appeared to play more at fullback last year hence his selection earlier this year in the same role.. Williams will carry the ball a lot no doubt.

If reports are true I will be very interested to see how Leuluai goes....

 

[Utey]

Leuluai may play in Britain
2 October 2004



Warriors release Thomas Leuluai, young star wants to play a season in England before trying for an NRL contract in Aust


Another young Warriors star could be about to ply his trade in England.

The Warriors have told Thomas Leuluai he is free to start looking elsewhere.

Leuluai admits he asked for a release a few months ago, when it would have been easier to pick up a contract in Australia, but the club said no.

He says it is a bad time to get into the Australian market and he would like to play one season in England before getting back into the NRL.

Leuluai says a couple of clubs over there are interested.

He has also spent a day this week with the Parramatta Eels checking out their facilities.

Pretty intresting I reckon. :?

 

[True EEL]

16. Cayless

best bench player i have seen in ages............. ;-)

 

[Stagger eel]

16. Cayless

best bench player i have seen in ages............. ;-)

I think the next time He comes off the bench for the eels we would have to be regarded as premiership favourites.

 

[True EEL]

i think the next time he comes of the bench for Parra.......

we will have won the premiership 9 times in a row and he will have been retired for 6 years....... :? either that or he plays with a wooden leg????

 

[Utey]

:lol:

 

[Eels Dude]

To me that looks like a pretty poor side. On paper I guess it's ok, but a lot of the players listed in that side just aren't playing to their potential at the moment. I'll be very surprised if they come within 20 points of the Roos.

 

[bartman]

Yeah, it's the side for the first test only, pretty picked as expected - except where's Paul Rahuihihi? Their pack is strong, but Vinnie Anderson at 5-8? I remember Leuluai as a loose cannon in attack, one who can win them games if he's on song.

I don't think Utai is touring as he's down to have ankle surgery, and guys like Robbie Paul, Lesley Vainikolo, Ali Lauiti'iti, maybe Shontayne Hape will come in for the England games. It's still the halves that will be the key to whether New Zealand can make the most of the advantages their forwards gain.

 

[Utey]

Yeh how Rahihi is there??? :roll: . Maybe that Hamstring injury is putting him out.

 

[bartman]

Actually, just found out that the Kiwis have named an extended squad for this first test - a good indication maybe of who is going to tour? Add in:
Paul Rauhihi (North Queensland)
Jamaal Lolesi (Bulldogs)
Clinton Toopi (Warriors) - apparently might be fit?
Dean Halatau (West Tigers)
Wairangi Koopu (Warriors)

Also, news just in, David Solomona (Wakefield) has just been added to the Kiwi train-on squad over here, now that his team has been knocked out. Players from three remaining ESL teams still to be added in Kiwi squad for Tri-Series matches to be played in England - probably Lesley Vainikolo, Robbie Paul, Ali Lauiti'iti, Shontayne Hape, Logan Swann.

 

[Utey]

Its looks even better now! This is going to be a great Tri Series.

 

[bartman]

Their halves still might be their weakness. Look for Robbie Paul to come in at five eighth for their other games, or at half if Leuleai doesn't work out (with... Motu Tony or Vagana to five eighth?).