League: Kiwis face big odds

Ruben Wiki

Much has been made of the Aussies' depth of experience ahead of Friday night's Anzac test, but the black-and-whites have 151 internationals between them, the green-and-golds 148.

The Kiwis' higher total is thanks to the extensive record of captain Ruben Wiki, who has had 43 games since 1994, and Nigel Vagana, 27 since 1998.

It is in the number of NRL games played that the Kangaroos enjoy a significant advantage. They have 2498 NRL games behind them at an average of 147 each.

Only centres Willie Tonga (40) and Shaun Berrigan (42), wing Luke Rooney (80) and bench prop Jason Ryles (83) have fewer than the magical 100 games that the veteran coaches such as Broncos and Kangaroos leader Wayne Bennett regard as making a player properly seasoned and truly useful.

The Kiwis amass 751 NRL matches - only Cowboys prop Paul Rauhihi (111), Storm second-rower David Kidwell (126), Warriors centre Clinton Toopi (102), Vagana and Wiki have reached the century mark.

It's fortunate that the Kiwis' experience is spread around the field, so the old "wise-heads" can smarten the defence and marshall the attack.

The Kiwis have youth on their side, with an average age of 23 to the Kangaroos' 26.

Eight of the Aussies are approaching or are over 30; only Vagana, Wiki and Rauhihi are in that bracket for the Kiwis.

If it comes down to the later minutes, will fatigue tell against the home team?

Then there is the issue of going on from here. Ben Kennedy announced at Kangaroos training on Monday that he would not tour with the Tri-Nations squad. Price is unlikely to, unless the Australians find themselves short of props again as they have coming into this test, with Shane Webcke retired from internationals, and Luke Bailey and Mark O'Meley short of game-time after injury.

Wing Matt Sing had announced his rep retirement, but was selected and reversed his decision.

At 30 he is unlikely to play the Tri-Nations.

Shaun Timmins has pulled out of rep football and at 29 Tonie Carroll will be close to retirement, so they may need a new lock.

On the other hand this Kiwis side will provide most of the Tri-Nations squad and most should be around for some years, with only Wiki, Vagana and Rauhihi close to their end.

The Kiwis have discounted the Australians' longevity in the game. They know they are up against the best in the world, but they are not over-awed. The mood in camp on the Gold Coast is calm, the players training smoothly and with focus.

The "new" boys are not intimidated and are taking lots of heart from the way they have been integrated into the fold.

Tigers utility Dene Halatau, who has never played the same position in several seasons of league, is not at all in awe of the Aussies. "I look around me and there's Ruben Wiki and other guys I thought were legends. It was a dream to play first-grade, so this is all a bonus, I can't believe it."

"Wise-head" David Kidwell, 27, has a history of being called up late.

In 2000 he was not part of the squad when then-Kiwis coach Frank Endacott learned that he had lost players including Jarrod McCracken and Quentin Pongia to injury.

Endacott walked from the field they were using at Parramatta to the Eels' No 2 ground to call Kidwell out of reserve-grade training.

Last year, he got a late call-up when Wiki was suspended and went on to score the first try of the game.

There is a better mental edge this year, he said. "We're not just looking forward to being competitive, we're looking at going out to win and that's a good attitude to have."

Not that they didn't want to win in previous years, but injuries and late player changes dragged down confidence.

"This is a special time in my life, I'm a bit older now and I don't take things for granted anymore. I love the family environment in the Kiwis camp and I want to keep going as long as I can, as long as the body holds up."

On the injury front, Kennedy has a thumb ligament problem and bench prop Jason Ryles a knee strain, but both are expected to play on Friday night. The Kiwis have no injury concerns.

Show your support

The Kiwis feed off support from home and for recent tests have plastered the walls of their dressing room with faxed messages from New Zealand. Send to the team at the Mercure Hotel Brisbane on fax number 0061-7-32363891.