Kiwis Train-on squad

[JB]

Paleaasiina is not up to test standard. J Cayless is way better

Probably right. TBH havent seen much of him lately. However i feel we probably need more of an impact from the bench than what J.Cayless can provide. IMO Asotasi, Rapira, N.Cayless and J.Cayless are pretty similar type players. Be nice to have a Moimoi/Paleassina type to complement them.

 

[Taniwha]

IMO Asotasi, Rapira, N.Cayless and J.Cayless are pretty similar type players. Be nice to have a Moimoi/Paleassina type to complement them.

I think a Moimoi/Lima combo is better

 

[KiWi_BoI_15]

Havent seen how Paleassina has gone this year. From what ive heard hes put on the extra pounds??

With or without him or possibly Moi Moi, we still have a very strong and mobile forward pack.

 

[blain]

watching lima yesterday, he dropped the ball close to the line by trying to offload at the wrong time at least twice, so i dont think quite up to international yet. maybe next year.

 

[mean_maori_mean]

Ever since I've known Matai, he's always got an injury. I'm not saying he's injury prone more or less he needs to get hard. After every tackle or hit up you can just about guarantee that he'll grab a body part.

But in saying that, he's one of the best hitters I've ever seen.

He's not soft - he just simply throw his body around and fights above his weight.
Pretty sure he has been playing with bulging disc or similar spinal problems and who knows what else.

 

[mean_maori_mean]

watching lima yesterday, he dropped the ball close to the line by trying to offload at the wrong time at least twice, so i dont think quite up to international yet. maybe next year.

How old is he 26/27 - im sure he has been around for a while was at the tiger in 04/05 - didnt get many games think he wasnt fit enough.

He does his role good but think he is gona be like frankie puletua and fly under the radar.

 

[blain]

he makes enough impact to be a top prop, he hasnt played that many first class i think.

 

[Skinner]

Moimoi free to join Kiwis

Fuifui Moimoi is set to represent the Kiwis next month after Australia coach Ricky Stuart left out the Parramatta Eels' bulldozer for his Kangaroos train-on squad.

Moimoi, who is also eligible for Australia, was expected to be the subject of a trans-Tasman tug-of-war but Stuart has opened the door for his Kiwis debut.

As expected, Kangaroos star Johnathan Thurston will miss the October 14 test in Wellington as he undergoes shoulder surgery, also ruling the dual Dally M winning halfback out of a guest appearance for the All Golds.

Tonga-born Moimoi has been in top form as Parramatta mounted their finals charge, and new Kiwis coach Gary Kemble is keen to use his devastating qualities as an impact player.

But the 27-year-old, who has also represented Tonga, must first get clearance from the Rugby League International Federation to switch allegiance.

That decision is expected to be made at an October 3 meeting.

Moimoi adds to a strong Kiwis propping group, which includes Roy Asotasi, Nathan Cayless and Sam Rapira, while the Kangaroos boast Steve Price, Luke Bailey, Willie Mason, Petero Civoniceva and Brent Kite.

The Kiwi selectors added another six players on Sunday night to their train-on squad to prepare for the end-of-season tests against Australia, Britain and France.

After North Queensland and Parramatta were eliminated from the NRL finals series, the selectors announced Cowboys hooker David Faiumu had been chosen to join the squad along with the Eels trio of captain Cayless, Moimoi and talented utility back Krisnan Inu.

Another two players - centre Shontayne Hape and winger Tame Tupou - also join the train-on group after their Bradford side was knocked out of the English Super League playoffs by Wigan at the weekend.

Meanwhile, Kiwis aspirant Jeremy Smith has been cleared to play in a second consecutive National Rugby League grand final despite being charged with a careless high tackle.

The NRL match review committee yesterday charged the Melbourne Storm interchange forward with a grade one careless high tackle for his shot on Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne in the 67th minute of last Sunday's grand final qualifier, won 26-10 by the Melbourne Storm.

But the low grading of the offence means Smith can issue an early guilty plea and escape suspension, clearing him to face his former club Manly in Sunday's finale.

Christchurch-born Smith, 27, was impressive off the bench last Sunday and looks likely to be named today by Storm coach Craig Bellamy for back-to-back grand finals.

Smith was part of the Storm side that lost to Brisbane in last year's decider.

Meanwhile, Parramatta duo Timana Tahu and Daniel Wagon both face one-match bans after being charged.

Tahu was given a grade one contrary conduct charge for a head slam, while Wagon was charged with a grade one dangerous throw.

Kangaroos international Tahu, however, has played his last game of league, having signed a four-year deal with the Australian Rugby Union and the New South Wales Waratahs to switch to rugby next season.

Now.....don't pick him

 

[mean_maori_mean]

Now.....don't pick him

yeap I'd support that decision - tuiaki can go and play for tonga if he wants to go play for his mate.

and yeah Nathan Cayless it out for the tour with a torn pectorial after melbourne players tried to rip his arm off.

With Cayless out and Jason Cayless likely to play in the ESL grand final, I think Harrison and Blair would be good options for the bench, even if moimoi plays.

Blair - has been playing secondrow and prop. Looks like he wont be playing GF unfortunately - Crossman is on standby if cross pulls up lame.

Harrison - spent the whole year pretty much at prop for the tigers which has increased his workload etc but he is still better outwide where he can use his pace,offloads.

Off the bench these guys will be useful particulary harrison because he has the size of a prop but still quite fast etc. So even if they play him at second row if leaves you three hittups options across the park.

 

[AliN]

From the NZRL site..

note the day.

KIWI SELECTORS BOOST TRAIN-ON SQUAD WITH SIX MORE PLAYERS

The Kiwi selectors tonight (Sunday) added another six players to their train-on squad to prepare for the end-of-season tests against Australia, Great Britain and France.
After North Queensland and Parramatta were eliminated from the NRL finals series, the selectors announced Cowboys hooker David Faiumu had been chosen to join the squad along with the Eels trio of captain Nathan Cayless, fellow prop Fuifui Moimoi and utility back Krisnan Inu.
Another two players – centre Shontayne Hape and winger Tame Tupou – also join the train-on group after their Bradford side was knocked out of the English Super League play-offs by Wigan on Friday night.
Players named in the squad so far are: Louis Anderson (Vodafone Warriors), Vinnie Anderson (Warrington), Roy Asotasi (South Sydney), Nathan Cayless (Parramatta), Rangi Chase (St George Illawarra), Luke Covell (Cronulla), Greg Eastwood (Brisbane), David Faiumu (North Queensland), Nathan Fien (Vodafone Warriors), Dene Halatau (Wests Tigers), Shontayne Hape (Bradford), Bronson Harrison (Wests Tigers), Lance Hohaia (Vodafone Warriors), Krisnan Inu (Parramatta), Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Sydney Roosters), David Kidwell (South Sydney), Epalahame Lauaki (Vodafone Warriors), Issac Luke (South Sydney), Simon Mannering (Vodafone Warriors), Fuifui Moimoi (Parramatta), Sam Perrett (Sydney Roosters), Frank Pritchard (Penrith), Sam Rapira (Vodafone Warriors), Ben Roberts (Bulldogs), Jeremy Smith (South Sydney), Chase Stanley (St George Illawarra), Ben Te’o (Wests Tigers), Taniela Tuiaki (Wests Tigers), Evarn Tuimavave (Vodafone Warriors), Tame Tupou (Bradford), Matt Utai (Bulldogs), Cooper Vuna (Newcastle), Jake Webster (Gold Coast), Paul Whatuira (Wests Tigers).

 

[MKEB...]

Not happy with the Moimoi selection. You cant reallign your national allegiance to suit whoever will pick you. There would have been a good reason Aussie didn't pick him. You cant just decide to play for the Kiwis just because Aussie didnt pick you.

Devalues the Kiwi Jumper.

 

[dazza]

Havent seen how Paleassina has gone this year. From what ive heard hes put on the extra pounds??

With or without him or possibly Moi Moi, we still have a very strong and mobile forward pack.

quite a few extra pounds!!! i watched the wigan vs st helens game the other day, & man he is huge! looks bigger than joe vagana. couldn`t even run properly.


cheers dazza

 

[KiWi_BoI_15]

Thanks Dazza,

So the drunks at Otahuhu club rooms were right. lol.

Since Moi Moi is in now, no doubt he will make the final cut. Still dont feel right with him running out in the Kiwi jersey just coz he couldnt cut it for Aus. Bad news for Cayless though, a result of another wrestling tactic by Melbourne.

 

[mean_maori_mean]

Thanks Dazza,

So the drunks at Otahuhu club rooms were right. lol.

Since Moi Moi is in now, no doubt he will make the final cut. Still dont feel right with him running out in the Kiwi jersey just coz he couldnt cut it for Aus. Bad news for Cayless though, a result of another wrestling tactic by Melbourne.

well moimoi selection is dependent on the outcome of what happens at meeting in oct 3.

 

[Fast Eddie]

I guess this kind of fits in here...

Seven Australian-based players were today included in the New Zealand under-18 side to play two tests against the Australian Schoolboys over the next fortnight.
Their selection followed a high-scoring trial at Mt Smart Stadium in which a team of New Zealand-based players faced a combination of New Zealand eligible players from Australia.
Five of them are from Sydney clubs while the other two are living in Brisbane.
Also named in the team are several players contracted to the Vodafone Warriors including 17-year-old prop Russell Packer and utility Constantine Mika, also 17, who both trained fulltime with the club’s NRL squad throughout 2007. Along with another of the club’s development players – prop Leeson Ah Mau – they were regulars for the Auckland Lions in the New South Wales Premier League this year.
All three were also in the national under-18 side last year – Packer was captain – while Meli Koliavu, Mose Masoe and Ben Matulino are other survivors from that side.
The team, coached by Ivan Harrison (Central Districts), is in camp at Auckland’s Millennium Institute to prepare for two internationals against the Australian Schoolboys. The first will kick off at 1.00pm at Mt Smart Stadium this Saturday (September 29) with the second test starting at 2.00pm at the Rotorua International Stadium on October 6.

NEW ZEALAND UNDER-18 TEAM
1
ZORAM WATENE
WaicoaBay
2
ALVIN MATAVAO
Sydney
3
MARK TALANOA
Sydney
4
MELI KOLIAVU
Wellington
5
CHIPPIE KORUSTCHUK
Canterbury
6
A J TAUMATA
Sydney
7
DARREN TONIHI
Canterbury
8
RUSSELL PACKER
Manawatu
9
MANAIA OSBOURNE
Wellington
10
LEESON AH MAU
Auckland
11
BEN MATULINO
Wellington
12
JASON SHIRNACK
Sydney
13
ROMAN LEOLAHI
Sydney
14
MOSE MASOE
Wellington
15
CONSTANTINE MIKA
Auckland
16
KENNY EDWARDS
Brisbane
17
RICARDO PARATA
Brisbane
18
DANIEL PALAVI
Auckland

www.warriors.co.nz

I never knew Mika was only 17.

 

[Skinner]

Given the trialists, there are some surprising selections on there..

 

[Skinner]

The NZ Maori 18s who will play an Aboriginal 18s side in Wellington on Oct 14.

1. Nafe Seluini - Auckland
2. Zane Faulkner - Waicoa Bay
3. Jaram Wihongi –Henare - Northland
4. Kurt Kara – Waicoa Bay
5. Arved Johnston - Canterbury
6. Shane Pomipi - Northland
7. Elijah Taylor - Auckland
8. Dillon Smith - Auckland
9. Nathan McNamara - Wellington
10. Blair Young - Northland
11. Cruz Neho - Northland
12. Matthew Robinson - Wellington
13. Rusty Bristow - Auckland
14. Harmony Hunt - Auckland
15. Cruz Rauner – Taranaki
16. Jesse Bromwich - Auckland
17. Sam Aupouri - Wellington
18. McGrath Leuluaii – Auckland
19. Carl Nathan - Auckland
20. Ben Henry - Auckland
21. Rory Hoffmanns - Taranaki
22. Rob McCarthy - Auckland
23. Kawana Cassidy - Taranaki

 

[Phillips]

sif you wouldnt want the 2nd best kiwi prop behind asotasi in the side..

tame tupou and ben roberts.. lol.. neither are first grade standard..

 

[Lord_Xenu]

Given the trialists, there are some surprising selections on there..

For example...

 

[Taniwha]

Going on NRL stats, Lima's only made 5 handling errors all season and i'm sure he's played almost every game. The metres he makes are phenomenal - gotta be the most improved prop in the game. Tigers, otahuhu and mangere east junior yea, 25 y/o i think. My workmate played with him. If the Kiwi's wanna start beating the Ozzies we gotta pick a team on form. Who better than Lima and Moimoi?

Moimoi free to join Kiwis

Fuifui Moimoi is set to represent the Kiwis next month after Australia coach Ricky Stuart left out the Parramatta Eels' bulldozer for his Kangaroos train-on squad.

That's bull**it! He announced in the sheds after the game his eligability to the Kiwis, i just think the Ozzies are insulted he chose us over them, hence the article.

6. Shane Pomipi - Northland

Anyone know much about this guy? Recently signed a contract with the Sharks.