League: Vultures gather for young talent

When the Junior Kiwis opened their Australian tour in Sydney, some were playing for more than a spot in the first test against the Junior Kangaroos in Melbourne on Sunday.

Australian league luminaries were also casting a critical eye over proceedings as the team beat a Roosters development side 34-10.

Roosters chairman Nick Politis, coach Ricky Stuart, director of coaching Phil Gould and recruitment officer Arthur Beetson headed the heavy hitters, followed by leading player managers Steve Gillis, Sam Ayoub and Gavin Orr.

Gillis said: "It's an advantage to see the cream of New Zealand's up-and-coming youngsters in the one spot at the one time and be able to assess their talents."

Parramatta assistant coach and former Kangaroos forward Rod Reddy watched from behind the in-goal area, alongside Eels recruitment co-ordinator and former Souths fullback Grant Jones.

Former Australian and New South Wales captain Laurie Daley, on the St George Illawarra coaching staff, was also there, as were Bulldogs official Mark Hughes and Wests Tigers recruitment officer Warren McDonnell.

"There are a couple of kids in the New Zealand team who we have spoken to and are keeping an eye on," Ayoub said.

Despite frequently rotating their 21-strong squad, the Junior Kiwis ran out comfortable winners.

"The Kiwis were certainly a big team," Daley said. "They ripped in. I'm sure we'll see a few of these blokes playing in the NRL in coming years."

Junior Kiwis manager Richard Bolton was unsure whether the players were aware that so many discerning judges were watching.

In any case, most were probably wasting their time.

"Most of the team are already on contracts. There are only three or four who aren't," he said.

Coach Tony Benson selected 11 players with previous Junior Kiwis experience for Sunday's match.

The only newcomers from last year's team are wing Iwi Hauraki, five-eighth Dan O'Regan, prop Roger Tafua and interchange players Duan Poaneki, Viliami Manu and Alistair Taua'a.

* Junior Kiwis: Matthew Parata, Cooper Vuna, Greg Eastwood, Joshua Davis, Iwi Hauraki, Dan O'Regan, Issac Luke, Sam Rapira (capt), Darin Kingi, Roger Tafua, Ben Te'o, Frank Paul Nuuausala, Sonny Fa'i. Interchange: Mataika Vatuvei, Duan Poaneki, Viliami Manu, Alistair Taua'a.

- NZPA