NZ team not looking too bad now...

[yakstorm]

Well for the first two tests at least NZ have been boosted with news of Stacey Jones confirming he will be playing and with both Benji Marshall and Richard Swain very likely, NZ are looking very good in that important halves-hooker region.

Forwards wise NZ wont have too many problems, Nathan Cayless is in great form and is also guarenteed for the first two, throw in the Penrith bunch of Pritchard, Puletua, Galuvao, Paul Rauhihi from the Cowboys, are just some who will be able to play....backs might be a bit more of a problem, but still things aren't looking as bad as they potentially were before....

 

[carlnz]

I hope Marshall does play those two test, it could be something very special for any League fan to watch.

As for Swain he said he would ask his family adn we are still waiting...i doubt Hull would make the Super League Final so he could be in for a chance like you say.

This could be NZ's best Chance to knock Aussie over on their home soil for a long long time.

 

[Big Mick]

1. Brent Webb
2. Lesley Vainokolo (If Bradford don't make it)
3. Nigel Vagana
4. Paul Whaitura
5. Manu Vatuvai
6. Benji Marshall
7. Stacey Jones
8. Paul Rauhihi
9. Richard Swain
10. Nathan Cayless
11. Ruban Wiki
12. Tony Puletua
13. David Kidwell

14. Roy Asotasi
15. Sonny Bill Williams/Lance Hohaia
16. Joe Galuvao
17. Frank Pritchard

 

[ozboy]

Australia will still smack them.

Johns or no Johns.

 

[League Freak™]

Doesnt this say alot about Stacey Jones and the environment Daniel Anderson had to try and work in.


Im glad he now has a post at a top club.

 

[Iafeta]

But prey do tell you recently told us how ESL was pathetic - how then is he at a top club?

Getting your stories muddled again?

 

[The Colonel]

Bad news for you fellows is that Nathan has said he is unlikely to be available for the England Tests and the Final as his partner is expecting the arrival of his first child at the same time.

Parramatta's captain, Nathan Cayless, looks sure to join Jones for the two games Downunder - on the 15th and 21st of October - after he made himself unavailable for the tour to England, so he can be with his wife who is expecting.

 

[yakstorm]

As for Swain he said he would ask his family adn we are still waiting...i doubt Hull would make the Super League Final so he could be in for a chance like you say.

Swain said the only reason he wouldn't play was cause he didn't want to spend more time in England and wanted to come back down to Australia to be with family and friends, so provided Hull don't make the GF, surely he should at least play the first two tests....well hopefully.....

 

[Corbin]

now just play Robbie Paul at fullback get rid of that Brent Webb and have Swain Gk and we have a extemely good chance, i bet ya that bennett saw that Swain and Marshall might be coming back and with Jones already ther...Hes shkaing in his boots!

Although he may no a bit bout swain after he did play for Brisbane

 

[coldhardbitch]

their centre pairing of Soliola, and Whatuira would be a good one, with the volcano and vatuvei on the wing. Webb to fullback.

They have a strong backline (shown as it will prolly keep lolesi and vagana out of it)

 

[Sun_Down]

SOUTHERN TEAM

1. Brent Webb
2. Francis Meli
3. Paul Whatuira
4. Jamaal Lolesi
5. Manu Vatuvei
6. Benji Marshall
7. Stacey Jones
8. Joe Galovao
9. Louis Anderson
10. Paul Rauhihi
11. Tony Puletua
12. Ruben Wiki (c)
13. David Kidwell
--
14. Roy Asotasi
15. Alex Chan
16. Dene Haluteu
17. Lance Hohia

NORTHERN TEAM
1. Brent Webb
2. Lesley Vainikolo
3. Paul Whatuira
4. Jamaal Lolesi
5. Manu Vatuvei
6. Motu Tony
7. Robbie Paul
8. Nathan Cayless
9. Richard Swain
10. Paul Rauhihi
11. Tony Puletua
12. Ruben Wiki (c)
13. David Kidwell
--
14. Roy Asotasi
15. Ali Lauititi
16. Sione Faumuina
17. Shontayne Hape

Red: Depnding on ESL commitments, may be available for earlier games.

*Assuming SBW is out for all games...

 

[colonel_123]

1. Brent Webb
2. Lesley Vainikolo
3. Nigel Vagana
4. Paul Whatuira
5. Iosia Soliola
6. Benji Marshall
7. Stacey Jones
8. Nathan Cayless
9. Richard Swain
10. Craig Smith
11. Ruben Wiki
12. Tony Puletua
13. Ali Lauititi

14. Roy Asotasi
15. Paul Rauhihi
16. Frank Pritchard/Joe Galuvao
17. Dene Halatau/David Faiumu/Lance Hohia

Possible Reserves: Robbie Paul, Vinnie Anderson, David Kidwell, Bronson Harrison, Shontayne Hape, Motu Tony, Alex Chan, Logan Swann and a few others...

Not considered: Jason Cayless, Jamaal Lolesi, Matt Utai, Sione Faumuina, Sonny Bill Williams (doubt he'll play)

 

[Sun_Down]

colonel_123, it is very likely there will be little European players for the first two tests, with Jones and Marshall.

 

[colonel_123]

colonel_123, it is very likely there will be little European players for the first two tests, with Jones and Marshall.

The 17 I named only had 2 plus Swai... and I thought the whole idea of Swain playing was that he's going to be back in Australia/New Zealand? if Hull are knocked out...

As for Lauititi and Vainikolo, there are plenty of players you can substitute there if so...

 

[doogiehowser_md]

First 2 tests

1. Webb
2. Lolesi
3. Vagana
4. Whatuira
5. Covell
6. Marshall
7. Jones
8. N.Cayless
9. Swain
10. Rauhihi
11. Wiki
12. Pritchard
13. Kidwell

14 Maivia
15. Asotasi
16. Koopu
17. Hohaia

UK Tour

1. Webb
2. Vainikolo
3. Whatuira
4. Vagana
5. Lolesi
6. R.Paul
7. Hohaia
8. Wiki
9. Faiumu
10. Rauhihi
11. Lautiti
12. Pritchard
13. Kidwell

14. Asotasi
15. Koopu
16. L.Anderson
17. T Puletua

 

[aussies1st]

5. Covell :lol:

 

[Ari Gold]

First 2 tests

1. Webb
2. Lolesi
3. Vagana
4. Whatuira
5. Covell
6. Marshall
7. Jones
8. N.Cayless
9. Swain
10. Rauhihi
11. Wiki
12. Pritchard
13. Kidwell

14 Maivia
15. Asotasi
16. Koopu
17. Hohaia

UK Tour

1. Webb
2. Vainikolo
3. Whatuira
4. Vagana
5. Lolesi
6. R.Paul
7. Hohaia
8. Wiki
9. Faiumu
10. Rauhihi
11. Lautiti
12. Pritchard
13. Kidwell

14. Asotasi
15. Koopu
16. L.Anderson
17. T Puletua

WTF have you been smoking???

even jake webster from Melbourne will be picked before him...

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

now just play Robbie Paul at fullback get rid of that Brent Webb and have Swain Gk and we have a extemely good chance

LMAO

 

[hutch]

just saw on fox sports website that benji is definately out. although he says he is shattered, his shoulder needs to be fixed up to not risk long term injury.

 

[screeny]

just saw on fox sports website that benji is definately out. although he says he is shattered, his shoulder needs to be fixed up to not risk long term injury.

Although a player's health is the number one concern, this kind of incident just isn't logical.

If a player's entire career is in jeopardy, a career spanning, let's say, a decade, how can medicos pinpoint these two specific extra games (v Aus) as the crux, the exact 160 minutes of football that spearate the player's injured area from being playable to becoming career ending.

If Benji's shoulder was in danger of risking his whole career, surely he shouldn't play now as a decade for the Tigers is better than the 2005 play offs?

It just doesn't add up.