League: Something to crow about for Rooster

Shaun Kenny-Dowall. Photo / Getty Images

During the wake, the resurrection occurred as anticipated - Shaun Kenny-Dowall's New Zealand league career was predictably revived yesterday.

As the Sydney Roosters continued coming to terms with their NRL grand final defeat on Sunday, the 22-year-old centre could contemplate a test recall to ease the pain.

Kenny-Dowall is poised to add to his solitary test - against France in 2007 - during the coming Four Nations tournament.

He is the notable recall while coach Stephen Kearney has named two debutants likely to be fringe members of the 23-man squad - New Zealand Warriors utility Lewis Brown and Brisbane Broncos wing Antonio Winterstein.

Kearney has also been able to reintroduce quality personnel who were unavailable for May's Anzac test, in particular forwards Simon Mannering, Jeremy Smith, utility Nathan Fien and wing Manu Vatuvei.

As a teenager Kenny-Dowall was denigrated by a New Zealand Warriors staffer who reckoned he was not among the best 100 young wings in New Zealand. So the 16-year-old headed to Sydney, a wise career move that has culminated in a permanent move to the centres at the Roosters and a return from test exile.

Hard-running, though error-prone, Kenny-Dowall finds favour under Kearney's regime for the first time, though the coach insisted it was hardly a left field selection.

"He's never really been that far off the mark," Kearney said. "In 2008 he played for NZ Maori against the All Golds. We had him drafted to come into the [World Cup] group for [Iosia] Soloila and we made a last-minute decision to bring in Bronson Harrison - he ended up starting back row in the final."

The Kiwis may be denied experienced centres Jerome Ropati through injury and Steve Matai through suspension but Kenny-Dowall's form ensured his selection would have been a formality regardless. His rapport with incumbent Kiwis wing Sam Perrett on the right edge of the Roosters' attack also counted in Kenny-Dowall's favour.

"I've got to say I've been impressed with his season as a whole really," Kearney said. "The fortunate thing for him is Brian [Smith, Roosters coach] has obviously made a big difference to his game."

Kenny-Dowall might have buttoned off after his match-winning intercept try against the Wests Tigers in week one of the finals series but 21 touchdowns in 28 games, 20 line breaks for the year and 170 tackle busts obviously warranted a recall.

"You look at his stats ... line breaks, try assists, tackle busts - he's right up there," Kearney said. "He's probably been the form centre of competition for the majority of the season, he's had a great year."

- NZPA