League: Youngsters shine in Tri-Nations

Ruben Wiki and Nigel Vagana have been getting the plaudits for the Kiwis' great form in the Tri-Nations but two new boys haven't been doing too badly either.

One is known as The Beast and the other is quickly earning a name as one of the best. Together young wingers Manu Vatuvei and Jake Webster are developing a reputation as lethal finishers.

Ahead of this morning's test against Great Britain, the test newcomers had already touched down six times in four internationals - four to Webster and two to Vatuvei. Vatuvei was also denied what appeared to be two legitimate tries by the video referee in the first test against the British a fortnight ago.

In many ways, the performances of the two youngsters epitomise what is going on in the Kiwis camp as a historically underperforming side has found a new lease of life under new coach Brian McClennan and through the introduction of exciting talent.

For Webster and Vatuvei, playing international league has come significantly earlier than they had planned on, considering Webster's goal at the start of the year was to play at least 10 NRL games (he scored 10 tries in 24 appearances for the Melbourne Storm after switching from centre to the wing). Vatuvei wanted to become a regular at the Warriors (he went on to play 17 games this season, supplanting the out-of-sorts Francis Meli).

After being included in the extended squad, Webster was expected to play in the curtain-raiser at Telstra Stadium for New Zealand A against the Junior Kangaroos. Instead he starred in the main game, the 38-28 upset of Australia.

The pair have undoubtedly benefited from Meli's loss of form and the withdrawal through injury of Lesley Vainikolo, Matt Utai and Iosia Soliola but they have certainly taken their chances.

"I'm not sure it's been easy [playing test league] but it's exciting," Webster enthused from the Kiwis' base in Manchester.

What would cap it off, of course, would be a first Tri-Nations title. The Kiwis had to avoid being beaten by 24 points or more in their final pool game against Great Britain this morning to qualify for the final on November 27.

Webster could quite easily have been lost to New Zealand rugby league considering he was born in the Melbourne suburb of Moonee Ponds and came under pressure to pledge his allegiance to the green and gold. The influence of his Kiwi father came through, however.

"I had always wanted to play for the Kiwis, since I was a little kid," the 21-year-old explains in his thick Australian accent. "I had a few people telling me that Origin football would be the best I would ever play. I was sitting there going, 'it might be to you but this is my decision'."

For the 19-year-old Vatuvei, pressure has been heaped on him in the form of being dubbed The Beast or the Jonah Lomu of rugby league because of his 109kg frame and bullocking runs. It's a tag the quietly-spoken giant is uncomfortable with. "I just want to be Manu," he said, trying to retreat from the comparison.

The 19-year-old has been a constant threat with ball in hand, much to the chagrin of Great Britain opposite Brian Carney who had a self-confessed "debacle" of a game opposite Vatuvei in the Kiwis' 42-26 win in game one.

But, like Webster, he's also developed into a handy weapon under the attacking bomb having scored one of his two tries that way.

The pair are undoubtedly potent attacking threats but they have sometimes looked vulnerable on defence, with both Australia and Great Britain finding room down the flanks. But if they continue to find the line at the other end, then the Tri-Nations trophy this current Kiwis side covet could find itself sitting proudly at NZRL headquarters.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY