Halfback woes contagious
From Ian Laybourn in London
October 24, 2005
WHILE Australia coach Wayne Bennett ponders playing the rest of the Tri-Nations without injured star Andrew Johns, his counterparts also have halfback issues.
The Kiwis arrived in London last night to prepare for Saturday's match against Great Britain without first-choice No.7 Stacey Jones.
Great Britain must look for a new halfback following the loss of Danny McGuire and the near-certain absence of Sean Long while Chris Thorman and Luke Robinson both pressed their claims with impressive second-half performances last night to help England beat France 22-12 at Headingley.
Jones, who came out of international retirement to play in New Zealand's opening two matches against Australia, did not fly out with the squad but left for France today to link up with his new club Les Catalans ahead of its entry into Super League.
The Kiwis are desperately keen for Jones to remain involved in the series but his position is further complicated by his wife's pregnancy.
Without another specialist halfback in the 24-strong squad, the New Zealand selectors are likely to turn to veteran Robbie Paul, whose move from Bradford to Huddersfield will be confirmed tomorrow and he could go straight into the team to face the Lions at Loftus Road.
Centre Clinton Toopi, who missed the Kiwis' two-point loss to Australia in Auckland with a knee injury, is expected to return.
But utility player Lance Hohaia, who tore ankle ligaments in the Kiwis' opening 38-28 win in Sydney, remains a serious doubt.
Leeds second-row forward Ali Lauitiiti went into camp last night and Bradford winger Lesley Vainikolo will join up with the Kiwis this week.
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Meanwhile, England players had few chances to impress Great Britain coach Brian Noble as they struggled to overcome a gallant France side in Leeds.
Thorman scored an early try to give his side a 6-0 lead but France - an organised and disciplined as well as enterprising side under new coach John Monie - were on course for their first win over England for 24 years when they led 12-6 at half-time thanks to tries from hooker David Berthezene and winger Freddy Zitter.
But Robinson scooted over for a solo try to level matters before forward Jamie Jones-Buchanan's try on 55 minutes put England back in front and Eorl Crabtree's late score gave it a flattering margin of victory.
"Eorl Crabtree and Paul Wood were outstanding and the two wingers, Mark Calderwood and Ade Gardner, tried really hard to speed the game up," said coach Karl Harrison.
