League: Webb happy with Kiwis decision

1.00pm - By ROBERT LOWE

A smiling Brent Webb says early impressions have made him more than happy that he has pledged his international rugby league future with the Kiwis.

The Queenslander, who came across the Tasman to join the New Zealand Warriors three seasons ago, will make his test debut when he runs out against Australia in Auckland on Saturday.

"It's been going great," he said of the Kiwi camp ahead the test. "I've had a lot of positive feedback from people. There's always going to be a few knockers but you can't help that."

Cairns-born Webb said his family was fully behind his decision to make himself available for New Zealand.

There was even support from his mates back in Queensland.

"There has been a bit of ribbing and that sort of stuff," he said. "But they're all quite happy for me and I'm excited to play test footie."

Webb, who was one of the Warriors' best performers in a dismal season, said he felt at home in Auckland.

Earlier this year, the 23-year-old signed for two further years with the National Rugby League club. The test at North Harbour Stadium is the first in the Tri-Nations series, with the balance of the tournament to be completed in Britain and culminating in a final in Leeds on November 27.

Webb's first appearance for the Kiwis will see him in the No 1 jersey and also handed the goalkicking duties.

He is likely to play a role similar to the one he has at the Warriors, where he alternates between fullback and the halves.

While he is among eight players in the Kiwi squad who didn't figure in finals football, either in the NRL or the English Super League, he didn't think match fitness would be a factor.

"The guys who were named in the train-on squad from the Warriors have been training together and doing a lot of fitness work," he said.

"We had beep tests the other day and three or four of us got the best results that we've had all year."

Webb accepted that the world champion Australians would again start favourites in the latest trans-Tasman clash.

He said the Kangaroos' great strength was their ability to gel quickly into a unit.

"I think on paper, the Kiwis are great individually, but on the day it's going to come down to everyone playing their best as a team," he said.

"That's what the Aussies are really good at. They can come together and gel quite quickly, and that's what we're going to have to do on Saturday and on the tour."

Coach Daniel Anderson said Webb's selection would give the Kiwis more options in attack than in their 37-10 defeat to Australian in Newcastle in April.

Before Webb was named in the initial train-on squad last month, former Kiwi skipper Hugh McGahan has expressed reservations about his inclusion.

McGahan said he still had a "small problem" with the fact that Webb originally come to New Zealand to play for the Warriors, not to live.

But chairman of selectors Keith Pittman said Webb had clearly indicated that he wanted represent the Kiwis and "we want players who want the black-and-white jersey".

- NZPA