League: Hey bro - we're on!

By PETER JESSUP


When Vinnie and Louis Anderson take the field against Australia next Saturday they will be the 32nd pair of brothers to wear the Kiwi jersey, the 16th to play in a test together.

Beside them will be brothers Jason and Nathan Cayless, playing in their third test together, and all will take inspiration from the fact they are playing with a sibling.

But in a way, the brothers will be playing against each other, trying to better each other, as brothers do. One would not want to be seen to let the other down, nor to let the family name down.

At age 19, Louis Anderson is one of several teenagers to make their Kiwis debut.

"If you're good enough, you're old enough," they say. In the case of the brothers, the appropriate saying might be, "my enemy's enemy is my friend".

When the Kangaroos come out on to North Harbour Stadium there will be no sibling rivalry.

"It's a very special feeling, playing alongside your brother," says prop Nathan Cayless, 26, who will be appearing in his 21st test while Jason, 24, plays his fourth.

The pair learned their trade in the family backyard in west Sydney, with a mob of neighbourhood kids.

"Jason was so big he didn't want to hurt the other kids," Nathan says of his little brother's efforts for local club Wentworthville. But in the backyard there were "plenty of tears".

The two are very close, though they don't hang out together. There were words of comfort from Nathan, who lost in the 2001 grand final, for Jason who lost last weekend. But little in terms of game comment.

"I don't have to tell him anything," Nathan says. "Once he made first grade, I knew he'd be a good chance of making the Kiwis."


The Cayless parents, Marlene and Paul, get a big buzz out of having two sons play for New Zealand.

And although the boys were raised in Australia from early childhood, the State of Origin could not compete against a black jersey as far as they are concerned, in contrast to Tonie Carroll's decision.

"That's his choice, the State of Origin is a big lure, but it is disappointing that people knock back playing for their country to play Origin," says Nathan. "It's up to us to get a few more wins over Australia, to change that."

Nathan missed a substantial part of the 2004 season as captain with the Eels but the broken arm that kept him out is fully healed and he declared himself raring to go.

He was in similar position this time last year - the same arm was broken - so the win at Albany in October was special. Especially with Jason in the front row.

"The good thing about playing for New Zealand is that everyone gets along so well, it's like a big party of brothers."

Tony Iro played alongside younger brother Kevin, who was well established as a Kiwi from 1987 before the pair were chosen for the 1988 World Cup.

They both ended their international careers after the 1998 Great Britain tour, with 25 and 34 tests respectively. The thrill never wore off.

"I used to get inspired by what Kevin did," says Tony, helping prepare the Kiwis train-on squad. And when things were getting hard on the field there was no one else who could gee him up as much. They didn't have to speak to do that, a look could lift him.

"If there was a dropped ball or a missed tackle there'd be a pat on the back, keep your head up. It means more when it comes from someone you grew up with. Then there is the family thing - you don't want to let anyone down, especially not your brother."


VINNIE Anderson, 25, is playing his second test after the win last October.

Missing the Anzac test in April was a significant spur for him. His making the 2003 team was equally motivating for Louis, who freely admits his elder inspires him and has showed by example what is possible.

Louis started the year aiming to make the Warriors 17.

That done, with Vinnie offering support, he felt for his older brother when Vinnie wasn't named in the 17 for the Anzac game. It inspired them both to train and try harder.

"He had a great debut last year. To play alongside him for the Warriors was fantastic - for the Kiwis, it's just going to be awesome."

Vinnie uses the same word. "I'm a very patriotic person. Making the Kiwis, for me it was awesome - to have someone from the family alongside you, it's going to be indescribable."

Their dad Warwick, a builder, provides inspiration for both.

He has given pre-match motivation speeches to the Warriors about what it means to represent your family.

On October 16 he'll be in the stands again and you'll just about be able to see the beam of pride in family.

"It's so good playing for the Kiwis," says Vinnie. "Everyone plays out of their skin - I know he's [Louis] going to as well."