NRL: Kiwis hit top form ahead of Test

Roy Asotasi

With just 12 days until they line up to face the Kangaroos, New Zealand's NRL stars are in fine form.

If the Kiwis' first-choice picks remain injury- and suspension-free for one more round there can be no excuse for not performing against the Aussies in Brisbane on May 8.

Saturday's match between the Storm and the Warriors was an excellent build-up for New Zealanders in both teams and another batch of Kiwis performed well for Souths in their win over the Sharks. The returns suggest the Kiwis will field a very powerful, mobile and fast set of forwards.

There was just one area of concern for the Kiwis camp. Warrior Sam Rapira aggravated a bad chest bruising he has been carrying for two weeks, putting him in doubt for the test at Suncorp Stadium. He is expected to sit out the Warriors-Dragons show in Wollongong next weekend.

Melbourne propping pair Jeff Lima and Adam Blair offer great go-forward for the national team. Lima carried the ball for 189m on Saturday and Blair for 161m.

The 2007 captain, Roy Asotasi, (194m), is expected to assume leadership after Nathan Cayless' retirement.

David Fa'alogo ran for 135m and completed 34 tackles for Souths and hooker Isaac Luke was smart at dummy-half. Sam Perrett made 133m including a line break to set up a try and completed 34 tackles and he and Sia Soliola were two of the Roosters' best as they slumped to the Dragons. Wing Jason Nightingale ran for 206m and scored the last try in the 29-0 victory.

Steve Matai showed he is back to his best form and gathered 136m and 26 tackles as Manly fell to the Cowboys. He made just one error, when he elected to run instead of passing to an unmarked man outside him and then lost the ball near the try-line.

Certain selections as a result of consistently good form for the Warriors are Manu Vatuvei, Lance Hohaia and Simon Mannering. Tigers halfback Benji Marshall is in good form as is their big wing Taniela Tuiaki.

Utility Greg Eastwood has made big impact for the Bulldogs. Frank Pritchard has been a dynamo for the Panthers.

There are perhaps one or two places open to competition in round eight before the side is named on Sunday.

As usual, one of those is halfback, where Stacey Jones confirmed to Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney that he would not be making a test comeback.

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