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Kris scores Kiwis call-up Brad Earl
17Apr07
Eels rookie Krisnan Inu has been chosen for New Zealand. Picture Brent McGilvary
KRIS Inu can thank the father of a former Parramatta Eels teammate for setting him on the path to his surprise debut for New Zealand in Friday's Anzac Test.
Inu, who will play fullback in the absence of Brent Webb, has made only one NRL appearance as a centre in the recent win over Canberra.
The 20-year-old often listed by his full name of Krisnan but happy to be known as Kris has played for New Zealand A against Australia in each of the past two seasons.
It came about because his Premier League teammate Marcus Perenara's father, Bernie, was coaching NZ A.
``He asked me if I could play fullback and I said, yeah, I've played it a few times,'' Inu said.
He was also selected in the NSW under-19s last year but was injured in training for the State of Origin curtain-raiser.
Inu sees his best position as centre which, in his debut against the Raiders, was where he deputised for the player he is set to replace next season, the rugby-bound Timana Tahu.
Inu is contracted until the end of next year.
``I've still got to work hard for that spot,'' he said.
``It's an opportunity that anyone in the club could take, not just myself.''
Inu's parents are Samoan. He was born in Auckland and his family came to Australia when he was about six or seven.
After moving around southwest Sydney, they settled at Minto.
Inu is happy to still live at home and to be close to his church the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly called the Mormons.
``I'm grateful that my parents brought me up in the church and made me the person I am,'' he said.
Inu started playing rugby league with the All Saints Liverpool club before his cousins, Willie and Ross Brown, lured him to Cabramatta.
Ross is still there in the Jim Beam Cup and Willie is now with the Sydney Roosters.
``He made his debut the day before me,'' Inu said.
It was fitting that, in his debut, Inu played alongside winger Jarryd Hayne, who also hails from the Campbelltown area and came through Cabramatta and the Eels' junior representative teams.
``We pretty much grew up together, going through high school as well,'' Inu said.
That was at Westfields Sports High, where they shared a passion for sport.
Both had success in athletics - Inu in high jump - and he says he and Hayne, as outside backs, had just as much fun playing rugby for the school as league.
http://www.parramattaadvertiser.com.au/article/2007/04/17/682_sports.html
17Apr07
KRIS Inu can thank the father of a former Parramatta Eels teammate for setting him on the path to his surprise debut for New Zealand in Friday's Anzac Test.
Inu, who will play fullback in the absence of Brent Webb, has made only one NRL appearance as a centre in the recent win over Canberra.
The 20-year-old often listed by his full name of Krisnan but happy to be known as Kris has played for New Zealand A against Australia in each of the past two seasons.
It came about because his Premier League teammate Marcus Perenara's father, Bernie, was coaching NZ A.
``He asked me if I could play fullback and I said, yeah, I've played it a few times,'' Inu said.
He was also selected in the NSW under-19s last year but was injured in training for the State of Origin curtain-raiser.
Inu sees his best position as centre which, in his debut against the Raiders, was where he deputised for the player he is set to replace next season, the rugby-bound Timana Tahu.
Inu is contracted until the end of next year.
``I've still got to work hard for that spot,'' he said.
``It's an opportunity that anyone in the club could take, not just myself.''
Inu's parents are Samoan. He was born in Auckland and his family came to Australia when he was about six or seven.
After moving around southwest Sydney, they settled at Minto.
Inu is happy to still live at home and to be close to his church the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly called the Mormons.
``I'm grateful that my parents brought me up in the church and made me the person I am,'' he said.
Inu started playing rugby league with the All Saints Liverpool club before his cousins, Willie and Ross Brown, lured him to Cabramatta.
Ross is still there in the Jim Beam Cup and Willie is now with the Sydney Roosters.
``He made his debut the day before me,'' Inu said.
It was fitting that, in his debut, Inu played alongside winger Jarryd Hayne, who also hails from the Campbelltown area and came through Cabramatta and the Eels' junior representative teams.
``We pretty much grew up together, going through high school as well,'' Inu said.
That was at Westfields Sports High, where they shared a passion for sport.
Both had success in athletics - Inu in high jump - and he says he and Hayne, as outside backs, had just as much fun playing rugby for the school as league.
http://www.parramattaadvertiser.com.au/article/2007/04/17/682_sports.html
