League: Air of confidence around Kiwis' camp

David Solomona

LONDON - There may be an unmistakable air of confidence emanating from the Kiwis' camp ahead of Sunday's (NZ time) Tri-Nations match against Great Britain, but it clearly wasn't originally shared by the New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) hierarchy.

After splitting the spoils from two tests against the Kangaroos, victory in London on Sunday would make the Kiwis strong favourites to qualify for the final on November 26, and presumably send an NZRL official scurrying for a Yellow Pages to find a Yorkshire hotel that could cater for a group of 30 at short notice.

"Man, we are not being cocky at all," recalled forward David Solomona said.

"We know we are the underdogs and that pretty much everyone has written us off. We haven't even booked a hotel for the final. We are just trying to do our own job and just worry about this game."

After missing out on selection last year following his switch from Parramatta Eels to Super League minnows Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Solomona has been the chief beneficiary of the appointment of new coach Brian McLennan.

The acquisition of Solomona was regarded as a major coup for Wakefield and he didn't disappoint, leading the club into the Super League playoffs for the first time while establishing a reputation as the best ball-playing forward in Britain.

His non-selection for last year's tournament astonished many observers in Britain, but Solomona took it in his stride.

"It was disappointing but that is the way things go," he said.

"I can't worry about that now. I am just enjoying it. When you haven't been in the team for a while, it's great to come back in and just enjoy it. And there is a different feel to this team.

"To be honest, even now, back row is probably the hardest position to get into the New Zealand team. Just look at the players who are playing over here (England) -- like Logan Swann, Ali Lauiti'iti and Vinnie Anderson. To break into the team you have got to be one of the best. I am just fortunate enough that they have given me the opportunity."

His game may be built around an uncanny ability to offload in the heaviest traffic but Solomona is comfortable reining in his natural instincts and doesn't feel under any pressure to produce game-breaking plays at test level.

"Not in this team. There are another 16 guys who can do it. When you are in a team with the likes of Ali Lauiti'iti, Stacey Jones and Tony Puletua, those guys can do anything.

"So, if I don't have that mentality of trying to do something special it's because I know someone else can do it anyway."

Britain will field an imposing front-row rotation but Solomona isn't the least bit fazed by the reputations of players such as Adrian Morley and Stuart Fielden.

"Anyone who has watched the last two games will have seen the Kiwi style is through our forwards as well. Personally, I would rather tackle any Great Britain player than Paul Rauhihi, Ali Lauiti'iti or Ruben Wiki."

He might be playing his third test in a different country in the space of a fortnight, but Solomona insisted he was physically ready for the challenge.

"I feel good. A lot better than Shontayne Hape anyway, he played in a grand final, flew out (to New Zealand) two days later and then flew back three days after that. He was in a daze for the first training session we had.

"But I feel good. You get a new lease of life when you get picked in teams like this. You just want to do the best for your teammates and for your country."

- NZPA