League: Toopi returns after surgery

By PETER JESSUP


Surgery to correct a wrist and thumb problem for Warriors centre Clinton Toopi has been successful and he will join the Kiwis train-on squad today for the test against Australia.

Motu Tony is expected back in Auckland soon with his wife, due to give birth to their first child. Depending on the baby's arrival, Tony may be available for the Tri-Nations opener on October 16.

Bulldogs five-eighths Johnathan Thurston looks set to decline an approach by the Kiwis because he has his sights on a Queensland State of Origin jersey. Thurston, of a Maori father and Aboriginal mother, was born and raised in Brisbane.

Team-mate Reni Maitua, who also qualifies for Australia and New Zealand, has already said no to the NZRL.

Under ARL rules, players selected for Origin must be available for the Kangaroos.

"How many fullbacks do they want?" said NZRL chairman Selwyn Pearson in response to Auckland-raised Karmichael Hunt rejecting test selection for the Kiwis in April.

Matt Bowen now appears to have leap-frogged Hunt for Australian selection and Queensland still has Rhys Wesser and Billy Slater. New South Wales has Anthony Minichiello and Ben Hornby and all are available for the Kangaroos.

The Kiwis do not have a specialist fullback and appear to be set on Australian Brent Webb.

Of other Warriors, Lance Hohaia, Sione Faumuina and Jerome Ropati are due for surgery next week.

The club said yesterday that Monty Betham is still troubled by the arm he broke early in the season and will have a surgical review. Peter Jessup