League: Fitness seen as major factor in Tri-Nations

Coach Brian McClennan keeps an eye on his Kiwis as they work on their defensive screen at Mt Smart Stadium yesterday. Picture / Brett Phibbs

Two former stars are giving the Kiwis a royal chance of winning the opening Tri-Nations clash against Australia on Saturday night so long as they can slow the game down.

Kiwi coach Brian McClennan named a largely predictable line-up yesterday, which included towering Warriors centre Simon Mannering moving to lock for his test debut. The other newcomers are centres Steve Matai and Iosia Soliola, and reserve prop Adam Blair. The side includes only seven members of the side thrashed in Brisbane in May.

Officials were left fuming yesterday after finding the Ticketek agency had closed key shopping centre outlets in the week of the test match. A crowd of 20,000 is hoped for but ticket sales have been sluggish so far.

A big home crowd will not only fill the coffers but boost the winning chances for the underdog Kiwis.

Former test forward Tawera Nikau and captain Richard Barnett, who attended the Kiwis training at Mt Smart Stadium yesterday, said match conditioning was a problem for the home side.

Nikau, a star of the boilover 1991 Kiwis victory in Melbourne and the Storm's 1999 grand final win, said: "The Aussies have played more football in finals series so will have the edge in match fitness.

"But, in saying that, the Kiwis have a great opportunity and especially if they get the supporters down here behind them. Having the crowd behind you can really make the difference in the last 15 or 20 minutes.

"The Kiwis are short on football ... they need to control the ball, slow the game down to their pace, maybe kick it out rather than give it to Justin Hodges or whoever can run the ball back. The scrums can also give them a bit of a rest.

"I think the lack of a genuine No 9 is a bit of a problem and we might not have the subtleties at dummy half. Dene Halatau has played there a bit but we might miss a few things there. It is vital to get quality ball to the front rowers on the advantage line."

Barnett, who figured in three victories over Australian teams in the late 1990s, was upbeat about the Kiwis' chances, even though many pundits are writing them off.

"Fitness will be a factor and it will depend on the rotation of players. The Kiwis will need to get people off before they get too tired," he said.

"Brian McClennan's thinking during the game will be crucial and they'll need to look at the big picture. A wet night, a soggy ground, could also see them tire more quickly.

"But the key in league is to slow the play-the-ball down. If the Aussies get a roll on, they are difficult to contain. There will be a time and place for making sure we kick the ball out as well. I'm actually confident so long as they stick to their plans, believe in each other - then you can do anything.

"The return of Stacey Jones is an absolute key. The little general's kicking game is vital and we never had that in this year's Anzac test."

McClennan said the long-held test theory involved Australia favouring a quick game and the Kiwis needing to slow it down.

He was confident of surprising those who believed the Kiwis would struggle to last the distance. The endurance factor, judged on recent playing history and training performance, played a big part in his selections.

McClennan had no qualms about giving Mannering his debut in the No 13 jersey, saying he would soon make that switch at the Warriors anyway.

"We're just jumping in first and he has played a couple of NRL games there," he said.

Mannering should give the Kiwis plenty of minutes in the middle of the park, although the 20-year-old faces an increased workrate compared with his normal club position.

Meanwhile among the least recognisable Kiwis will be the Auckland-born Matai who has shaved off his trademark braids.

Matai follows older brother Taifau, a former New Zealand softballer, into international sport.

* English Super league referee Ashley Klein will control the test. Klein was in charge at Brisbane this year.

* Mt Smart Stadium, Saturday 8pm

KIWIS

Brent Webb
Tame Tupou
Iosia Soliola
Steve Matai
Manu Vatuvei
Nigel Vagana
Stacey Jones
Ruben Wiki (c)
Dene Halatau
Roy Asotasi
David Kidwell
Tony Puletua
Simon Mannering

KANGAROOS

Karmichael Hunt
Matt King
Mark Gasnier
Justin Hodges
Greg Inglis
Darren Lockyer (c)
J. Thurston
Willie Mason
Cameron Smith
Petero Civoniceva
Luke O'Donnell
N. Hindmarsh
Reni Maitua

Kiwis: Jerome Ropati, Nathan Cayless, Adam Blair, Frank Pritchard.
Kangaroos: Mark O'Meley, Shaun Berrigan, Andrew Ryan, Brent Kite.