League: Old schoolmates hope to be a class act

SYDNEY - Nigel Vagana is banking on a reprise of his secondary schools partnership with Stacey Jones if cast in the unfamiliar role of five-eighth against the Kangaroos on Saturday.

Vagana learns today whether he will partner the Kiwis halfback in the halves for the opening Tri-Nations league test here at Telstra Stadium.

Although they have never teamed up at close quarters in their extensive test careers, Vagana and Jones do at least go back a long way.

The Cronulla centre, who ended up at five-eighth for the Sharks in the latter stages of the NRL, doubted he would have much trouble combining with Jones, who has ended a two-year test exile for the opening two internationals of the series against Australia.

"I went to school with Stace, we've known each other for a while, so I know how he plays," said Vagana, who first played with Jones at Auckland's St Paul's College.

Back then Jones pulled the strings and Vagana is ready for the same on Saturday, downplaying his role as a potential playmaker.

"Stace used to score five tries a game, every game. We [recalled second-rower David Solomona was another classmate] used to sit back and let him do his stuff.

"On attack if you've got a seven that can run the show - Stacey, or [Brett] Kimmorley or [Andrew] Johns, six is just an extra runner."

While Vagana has played only two NRL games at No 6 for the Sharks he did have a successful outing there for the Kiwis in 2003 when he oscillated between there and fullback as the underdogs stunned the world champions 30-16 at Albany.

"When I played there then I was more a third centre. I wasn't a traditional six and I'm not sure yet what [coach] Brian [McClennan] has in store."

He was confident he could make the transition closer to the ruck defensively but admitted his kicking game was hardly a strength - putting the onus on Jones to keep the Kiwis at the right end of the field.

While grateful to have another run with Jones, Vagana felt for Benji Marshall, who has been forced to miss a second Tri-Nations campaign due to shoulder surgery.

"Obviously he's had a great year and this would have capped it off. He's a big loss for us."

- NZPA