League: Smith confident of playing test

Jeremy Smith didn't train today but is confident of playing on Friday. Photo / Getty Images

BRISBANE - Kiwis forward Jeremy Smith stood idle at today's training session but declared himself on target to play in Friday's league test against Australia.

Smith looked on with his sprained ankle heavily strapped as the Kiwis began their session under warm sunshine at the Easts Rugby League Club, just over 48 hours from kickoff at Suncorp Stadium.

But the back-rower, named Kiwis player-of-the-year in 2008, was confident he would run out after being named this morning to wear the No 13 jersey.

"It's come along fine. I've still got a couple more days up my sleeve before I have to try and start running," Smith said.

"I'm pretty confident, the medical staff are doing everything they can and I'm doing everything I can to get right. I'll certainly turn up for a big one."

Second-rower Simon Mannering's absence from training was more mysterious, but he insisted he was taking a scheduled rest and wasn't carrying any ailments.

"I'm just having a bit of a rest. It's been a long couple of years and it's slowly catching up on me. I'm having a quiet day today," Mannering said.

"At the Warriors it's a normal thing, players have days off just to try and manage the load."

The 22-year-old Mannering's workload has been huge since making his National Rugby League (NRL) debut in 2005 and his test debut a year later.

He's played 85 NRL matches and 18 tests in that period with barely an injury.

Kiwis captain Benji Marshall, named today to start at halfback, ran freely in the early part of training after a bruised leg forced him out of the Wests Tigers' NRL match on Sunday.

"He seems to be progressing well, I'm very confident he'll play," coach Steve Kearney said.

Starting hooker Issac Luke also trained today before his scheduled flight to Sydney to contest a grade one striking charge at the NRL judiciary tonight (8pm NZT). He will miss the test if found guilty.

Luke is expected to return to Brisbane after the hearing tonight, with the Kiwis confident he will be cleared. Top Sydney barrister Geoff Bellew SC will represent him.

"It's not my place to pass judgement but you see worse things than that out on the field," Mannering said.

"I think all the boys expect him to be there on Friday."

The majority of the Kiwis' session was closed to the media. Their final session is at Suncorp tomorrow afternoon.

Kiwis
Lance Hohaia, Sam Perrett, Simon Mannering, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, Nathan Fien, Benji Marshall (captain), Roy Asotasi, Issac Luke, Adam Blair, David Fa'alogo, Bronson Harrison, Jeremy Smith.

Interchange: Greg Eastwood, Jeff Lima, Jason Nightingale, Iosia Soliola.

- NZPA