League: Rauhihi gets good news early

1.00pm - By CHRIS BARCLAY

SYDNEY - Cowboys colossus Paul Rauhihi finally got the news he'd been waiting for all year -- trouble was it arrived a week earlier than he hoped.

The North Queensland prop was last night predictably added to the Kiwis Tri-Nations train on squad, his name pencilled in because the National Rugby League's (NRL) Cinderella story came to an end at Telstra Stadium.

Rauhihi, a cornerstone of the Cowboys who ran to within a game of the premiership grand final, was relieved to feature in coach Daniel Anderson's squad, though the pain of a narrow 16-19 loss to the Sydney Roosters was also apparent.

Recently crowned as the NRL's prop of the year, Rauhihi was the game's leading yardage gainer with 176-metres in short, sharp bursts but he will not have fond memories of the last five minutes of yesterday's cliffhanger.

An ill-advised offload in the 74th minute ended up in enemy hands and from the resulting set of six Roosters' halfback Brett Finch dropped a field goal to break a 16-16 deadlock.

Then with a minute to play Rauhihi was penalised in front of his posts, allowing Craig Fitzgibbon to slot an easy penalty and eat up the clock.

There was still more drama to come when the Cowboys were denied the chance to set a last-second scrum -- and a platform for a potentially match-winning try.

Rauhihi was at the forefront of the Cowboys' forlorn remonstrations as referee Paul Simpkins signalled game over and was still frustrated in a downcast dressing shed.

"In any other regular season game they would have formed that scrum. That's a problem with the game it always comes down to one guy's interpretation of the rules -- they all have different ideas."

Rauhihi was also mystified at the penalty decision: "He said I raked the ball, but I tackled on the ball. That's another problem with the rules. As soon as the ball comes out you're called for stripping."

The 31-year-old, who has been capped seven times since 2002, will now be able to take out any lingering frustrations in the Tri-Nations.

Angry to be overlooked for April's Anzac test, Rauhihi admitted the snub had been a catalyst for a series of eye-catching performances with the Cowboys.

"I guess it made me concentrate on club footy. That probably helped my performances. In some ways it could have been a bit of a blessing," he said.

Rauhihi, who joined the club this year from the Bulldogs, has clearly relished his new surroundings and would like to stay put when his contract is up at the end of next season.

"It was a bit of a challenge to come up here and take on more of a leadership role. It's been good to lead some of the younger blokes."

One of those rookies who flirted with the Kiwis train on squad yesterday seems destined to miss out.

Utility David Faiumu was selected but it soon emerged the Cowboys had scheduled the 21-year-old to have a shoulder reconstruction on October 7.

"I'd have loved to have trained with the Kiwis but the club comes first and I have to get my injuries right," said Faiumu, who watched yesterday's drama from the stands.

"He's a good player for the future," Rauhihi said.

"I have a word every now and then. I guess its just Kiwis flocking together."

Although injury has scuppered Faiumu's chances, Rauhihi says a lingering calf problem would not jeopardise his test chances.

The muscle has troubled him for five weeks but he has managed to get through games with regular massage.

"I'll have a couple of weeks off it now before the test (October 16 v Australia at North Harbour Stadium).

"I've been able to play having no rest every week so a couple of weeks off it should help."

Rauhihi was buoyant about the Kiwis' chances against Australia and Great Britain despite the retirement of the experienced Stacey Jones, Stephen Kearney and Richard Swain.

"When they bring in younger blokes they're always going to have added enthusiasm that might be lacking in the older guys.

"I think we've got a pretty good shot."

- NZPA