Rugby League: Lack of goalkicker worries Kiwis

By Peter Jessup

The lack of a radar-accurate goalkicker is coach Frank Endacott's main concern as he watches the National Rugby League playoffs and ponders his test team for the Tri-Series that starts next month.

Henry Paul is nominated, Stacey Jones the back-up, but neither offers the certain bets that Endacott was used to via Matthew Ridge and Daryl Halligan, who retired from international football last year.

There were three tries apiece in the Anzac test, and Australia kicked three goals and the Kiwis one. "It's a major problem," Endacott said.

But other than that he's happy with the form the test prospects are showing and pleased young players like Nathan Cayless, David Vaeliki and David Kidwell (Parramatta), Willie Talau (Canterbury), Richard Swain and Matt Rua (Melbourne) are getting playoffs experience.

The Kiwis to play the opener against Australia at Ericsson Stadium on October 15 will be named at the end of the month.

He'll start work soon with a New Zealand-based squad at the Warriors camp. The full squad, including England-based brothers Henry and Robbie Paul, and any Kiwis involved in the NRL grand final on Sunday September 26, will assemble in Auckland next day.

They'll be run by trainers Trevor Clark from the Warriors and longtime Kiwi trainer and former Warrior team man Bob Lanigan, now working with NEC rugby in Japan.

Endacott notes the retirement of several Kangaroo stalwarts - Alfie Langer, Steve Renouf, Paul Harragon, Mark Carroll - then notes that their replacements are going to be just as hard when they have a bit more experience.

He rates Great Britain as worthy of much respect: "They could beat both sides."

But for once the Kiwis have choice in several positions and players rated with the best in the game in their positions. They'll command considerable respect from both opponents.