League: Winning's the focus, records will follow

Nigel Vagana has played a role in improving team communication on the field. Matt King/Getty Images

Kiwis five-eighth Nigel Vagana has been eating, sleeping and dreaming a Kiwis win over Australia this week.

Not last Saturday's win in Sydney - he's dreaming of a second victory at Ericsson Stadium tonight.

The team had kept feet firmly fixed to the ground after their upset over the Kangaroos, he said.

"Kiwis are humble by nature. At the end of the day it's only one win."

They wanted to make more history, he said, but the focus was solely on winning tonight, not the series nor beating old records.

"If we win, the records will take care of themselves."

Vagana is a centre but has been tagged to hold down the five-eighth spot for the whole of the series.

"I'll play wherever the team needs me. I'm not too fussed."

His lack of a kicking game was not a problem because Stacey Jones did most of the kicking and Brent Webb could boot too. Webb came up from fullback to take the receiver role in attack.

"I only have to kick if something goes wrong."

The team was in the right frame of mind to back up, he said. There was much trust between the players and a developing understanding that would help them in defence. Communication on the field was good.

Vagana has taken a big hand in that, yelling at team-mates in training when he wants defensive cover, when they should pressure the opposition kicker, when breaks are made.

Another player likely to play out of position is Motu Tony, who left the Warriors seeking a permanent number on his back after playing for them at hooker, five-eighth and fullback. He was a fullback prospect for the Broncos until Karmichael Hunt secured their number one jersey. Moving on to Hull in Super League, he has played at hooker, five-eighth, centre, on both wings and at fullback.

He recognises that coaches see utility value in him but would still like to nail down a specific spot.

"I don't mind having one position and covering others, but it is hard when you get moved around all the time."

For the Kiwis, he's happy to play anywhere.

"I'll play prop if I have to. I'm very keen to play for New Zealand, that's why I flew back [from England] and now it would be good to carry on in the Tri-Nations back in England."

His wife, Kesia, and 1-year-old son, Malaki, had settled well in England, and there was a good contingent of Kiwis at Hull and other clubs, which made things more comfortable. He had enjoyed playing with Stephen Kearney in his last season.

Former Kiwis hooker Richard Swain had wanted to play again this year, but family reasons prompted him to withdraw.

Tony has a year left on his contract with Hull. But after coming into the Kiwis camp he admitted that being with old friends and team-mates had triggered thoughts about returning to the Warriors.

"I wouldn't mind hooking up with the boys again at some stage."

Desire for rep football burns strongly.

"This is a strong team now, there would have been others in there if not for injury. When those guys [Sonny Bill Williams, Benji Marshall and others] come back it's going to be a very hard side to get in to."

Maybe utility value is good for him?

"I'll play anywhere for the Kiwis."

Tony's work around the ruck, his dummy-half running, his ability to create breaks by ducking and diving under tacklers will no doubt give the Kangaroos plenty of trouble.

Like Vagana and other former Warriors Paul Rauhihi, Paul Whatuira and David Solomona, Tony is looking for the biggest win of his life on familiar turf at Ericsson.