Nz kiwis four nations squad 2010 - mindblowing

[Balmain Bug]

1. Lance Hohaia
2. Manu Vatuvei
3. Shaun Kenny-Dowell
4. Simon Mannering
5. Jason Nightingale
6. Benji Marshall
7. Nathan Fien
8. Adam Blair
9. Isaac Luke
10. Frank-Paul Nuuausala
11. Jeremy Smith
12. Frank Pritchard
13. Bronson Harrison

14. Fuifui Moimoi
15. Jared Warea Hargreaves
16. Lewis Brown
17. Greg Eastwood

18. Sika Manu
19. Sam Perrett
20. Ben Matulino
21. Junior Sa’u
22. Thomas Leuluai
23. Antonio Winterstein

 

[PARRA_FAN]

I thought Frank was out.

Still bloody hell, I reckon thats the best they've put together.

 

[ozenzud]

Mannering won't be in the centres. Junior Sa'u will get that gig. There's a big chance that Hohaia will be on the bench and Perrot will go back to F/B.

Don't know if they'd do this, but I'd drop Waera for Ben Matelino, or maybe FuiFui will miss. Brown may get a run cause he can cover centres, hooker and back row.

This team is potentially the best Kiwi team, the most balanced with really good players in key positions, going up against an undermanned Aussie team (relatively speaking).

Poms on the other hand look ordinary. Their talent pool is lacking in big names, experienced players. Tomkins from Wigan is OK but runs around like a chook with his head cut off. Structured defence will shut him down. Their forwards will be good but they won't score any tries out wide. They do not do well out of England either.

 

[Mr Angry]

Halfback is still the weakness...Fien is a fine hooker.

 

[axl rose]

Solid. Was was Asotasi left out or is he injured?

 

[ozenzud]

He played halfback in the world cup win. I think he can handle it. Hes tough as and will not be a weakness in defence. You won't have to hide him in the defensive line like Stacey.

What I like about this Kiwi team is their attacking points. Their forward pack. Luke from dummy half. Benji from 5/8, SKD and Sa'u in the centres and Manu out wide. Hohaia if he is selected as well. He has weaknesses at the back though, but he has done the job and the only F/B specialist. Cannot wait for it to start.

 

[user_nat]

23. Antonio Winterstein


lol what? Shoudn't even make most teams at a club level.

 

[Special K]

How the hell does Leuluai still get a gig?

 

[madunit]

I'm with Angry here, halfback is crucial to any side with Benji in it.

If Benji is forced to do all the organising and playmaking, he plays well below his standards.

I also fear there will be too much pressure on his kicking game here. I hope Fien, Luke and Hohaia take on as much of the kicking and playmaking duties that they can, giving Benji the freedom to roam and do what he likes, which is when he annihilates teams.

 

[Skinner]

Mannering won't be in the centres. Junior Sa'u will get that gig.

Nah mate, Sau has been pretty hopeless this year.

 

[Mr Angry]

Fein will kick and kick it dead.
That said, it could be worse you could be england, thier entire backline is crap. Good forwards nuff nuff backs.
The kiwis have one weakness.

 

[franklin2323]

Fein is fine at 7. compared to Leuluai. There's Hohaia, Luke, Fein, Marshall who IMO will all make the 17 all can kick so it looks a pretty good squad. prob stronger then Aust does

 

[KiWi_BoI_15]

How the hell does Leuluai still get a gig?

Crazy right? Kearney shows alot of faith in this guy.

 

[Iafeta]

On Fien, he's produced easily his best test football at halfback. In the 2008 WC series he was very accurate and well organised. A touch of Bennett I suspect in that, but he provides a bit of stability for Marshall to roam a bit wider. Leuluai... he was man of the match in the Super League Grand Final. He was also very good in the 2008 WC when playing hooker. Halfback at test level, he's deadset hopeless, but at hooker he plays similar to Fien in a nice direct role.

I don't have an issue with either of those two players. I kind of feel for Alex Glenn, actually. If Sau or SKD go down, we have no specialist centres, or centres who regularly play there at club level. Brown and Mannering can play there... but Glenn plays a lot there. And plays well, too. Ropati would have been a shoe-in after an excellent season, but his shoulder has put him out of the tournament. I think we're skinny in the centres, and we don't have any real back up shoulder either or hookers or halves go down - I cringe the name L Hohaia going into the halves.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Fien will go fine for us in the halves. He's proved himself there before. I'm a bit surprised Asotasi didnt make it? Must be injured.

 

[Bobby DIGital]

Good squad and we'll win the 4N, but yep Leuluai shouldn't be there.

What's the word on Josh Hoffman? Changed his mind?

 

[timka4]

Fien will be fine, love Fien as a player

 

[doogiehowser_md]

Asotasi is average as in tests...cant seem to think of one where he played out of his skin. More surprised that McKendry didnt get a spot

 

[Panther_Daz]

More surprised that McKendry didnt get a spot

Can't really argue with those that were picked really. Would be nice if the NZRL invited him along to the camp to get some experience with the team. I know for a fact how much getting that Kiwi Jersey means to him. That game he played for NZ Maori he played like a man possessed!

He will get his shot soon.

 

[Meth]

Pretty sure Asotasi was just plain left out- not disappointed really. More disappointed in the non-selection of McKendry and Packer.

A couple of weaknesses- centres and halfback

From the team selected, I'd go;

1- Perrett
2- Nightingale
3- Kenny-Dowell
4- Sa'u
5- Vatuvei
6- Marshall
7- Fien
8- Moimoi
9- Luke
10-Paul-Nuuausala
11-Blair
12-Harrison
13-Smith

Res- Leuluai, Eastwood, Pritchard, Matulino