Steve Deane: Cayless an Aussie, not a great Kiwi

Eel Nathan Cayless (centre) is felled by the Warriors. Photo / Herald on Sunday

He's an Aussie. That's the elephant in the room when it comes to Nathan Cayless.

At least it is with me, when it comes to assessing whether the retiring Kiwis World Cup-winning skipper qualifies for New Zealand league greatness. League might not have a residency rule when it comes to international eligibility - but my heart does.

Cayless was a marvellous performer in 38 tests for the Kiwis but he is a born and bred Aussie. He's never lived in this country, hardly played here and, when he retires, will become a real estate agent in Parramatta. While he will always have a special place in New Zealand league history as the man who hoisted the World Cup aloft in 2008, what he is most admired for and will be best remembered for in Australia is setting a record for most games as the captain of an NRL club.

Several stories this week rated his 220 games in charge of the Eels as his greatest achievement. Well, they would. The question is - does he? Unfortunately, I wasn't able to ask him that this week. Requests for an interview with Cayless were ignored by the Eels, presumably on the grounds that he is too busy fulfilling the numerous obligations surrounding his retirement in Australia. Fair enough, but it kind of underscores the point really.

Cayless was a good player, but probably not good enough to ever represent the country of his birth. He was a great leader and is clearly a fine human being. But was he a great Kiwi?

The answer to that is a matter of personal opinion. To those who judge only his achievements with a black jersey on his back, the answer will be yes. Good on them. But for me the answer is no. Ruben Wiki was a great Kiwi. Maybe even the greatest. Wiki may have played most of his career offshore but he grew up here. He returned here and is a powerful force for good in his community.

Cayless will doubtless use his profile in the same positive manner that Wiki has. In Parramatta. Which is why the answer is no. Good player, World Cup hero, Eels legend - but not a great Kiwi.