Graham Lowe: Rugby League: Hasler man for Manly

The Manly Sea Eagles' drama over the last week has included me, even though I did not ask for it.

I would be lying if I said it was not flattering or that I wasn't interested. I would love to coach again, particularly at Manly. It's a great club, but if I don't, it doesn't worry me at all.

To set the record straight, I have met Manly chief executive Ian Thomson and leagues club chairman Ken Arthurson to discuss various options, and that is as far as it has gone.

One of my former players and present assistant coach Des Hasler is as keen as mustard on the job, so this is another option for them.

Even though I publicly stated that I was keen to do the job, after taking everything into consideration I changed my mind and came to the conclusion that their situation could be resolved quicker and more easily if I announced I was not available because Dessie wanted the job.

Coaching is in my blood and always will be, but if Hasler is given a chance he will do a good job.

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The test against Australia on July 25 is shaping up as an exiting night for Kiwi league fans and I don't see any reason why the Kiwis can't win.

Obviously the key man for the Aussies is Andrew Johns, who is playing the best football of his career, but, on his day, Stacey Jones is just as talented a player.

I also have a suspicion that the Kiwis could be boosted by the return of Ali Lauiti'iti, a player the Aussies can't match. Coach Daniel Anderson likes to keep the return of injured players a surprise, and this could be a good one.

If Lauiti'iti is available it would be a huge boost to the Kiwis because he is the type of player who will return immediately to great form.

A big problem for Anderson is the availability of the Kiwi players in the English Super League. The English clubs have a history of being difficult regarding the early release of our test players, and I would expect that will not change this year, so it wouldn't be a surprise if Anderson didn't consider British-based players at all.

This will be a shame because a couple of them would come in handy, and maybe the New Zealand Rugby League should be more pro-active and demand a more suitable arrangement at test match time.

If this does not happen soon I think you can forget about test match football as more New Zealand players of international standard are going to sign up over there because it is more lucrative.

To suggest our best team can be fielded without British-based players being considered is both unhealthy and arrogant, to say the least. However, for this test if British-based players are not able to assemble at the same time as the NRL players, Anderson would be better off leaving them out.

Fullback and five-eighth are the only positions where I think we are weak. We have good depth everywhere else, but in saying that it is time to come up with a new-look team, because at the end of the day our international record is very ordinary, and changes are needed.

I would probably surprise some by playing Ruben Wiki at five-eighth and naming him captain.

He is a big-game player and is in form, and would also add an extra dimension to defence at the edge of the ruck, and would create plenty of chances out wide, particularly if Jones backed up and ran close off his shoulder.

Henry Fa'afili in a roaming role at fullback could prove lethal in attack, and he is also good under the high ball.

I would also play Clinton Toopi at loose forward. I believe this could be his best position because he has all the attributes of a good running backrower. He reminds me a lot of former Great Britain and Wigan captain, Ellery Hanley.

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It's great to see that the NZRL board has arranged for fledgling league nation Russia to tour the South Island next year.

They will be here for three weeks early in the year and play five games, which will be great for players in the South Island, and also good experience for the Russians, who I'm told are no pushovers.

With the game in its present state, we are unlikely to see the great tours of the past, and that is a shame because players need to perform against these visiting teams to help the strength of the game in general.

Some think that the NRL now sets the benchmark and is improving our overall playing standard.

I disagree, and think we were stronger and more competitive internationally before the Warriors came along.

The international board in its present state is a toothless tiger which is dictated to by the NRL and to a lesser degree the English Rugby League, and that is why to have a touring team coming to the South Island is a breath of fresh air.

My Kiwi team:

1 Henry Fa'afiliFaafilli

2 Matt Utai

3 Nigel Vagana

4 Paul Whatuira

5 Francis Meli

6 Ruben Wiki (capt)

7 Stacey Jones

8 Jerry Seuseu

9 Richard Swain

10 Paul Rauhihi

11 Tony Puletua

12 Ali Lauiti'iti/Joe Gulavao

13 Clinton Toopi

14 Lance Hohaia

15 David Vaealiki

16 Logan Swann

17 Stephen Kearney