Rugby League: Betham back for tour opener

LEEDS - New Zealand Warriors captain Monty Betham will make a long-awaited return from a serious knee injury when he starts at hooker for the Kiwis in their British tour opener against Hull tomorrow.

Betham had been sidelined since April 1 when he damaged knee ligaments playing for the Warriors against Newcastle in the third round of the NRL.

He was expected to be out until next season, but undertook a rigorous rehabilitation programme following surgery and astounded the club by recovering sufficiently to get into the Warriors squad for the NRL grand final on October 6, although he did not make the bench against the Sydney Roosters.

Coach Gary Freeman said he felt trepidation at Betham's return, but more for the opposition.

"It's a bit scary, I wouldn't want to be the first guy he tackles."

The team also has Castleford prop Michael Smith, a former North Harbour rugby representative, poised to make his Kiwis debut from the bench.

Motu Tony will start at five-eighth, ahead of rookie Lance Hohaia, who deputises for tour captain Stacey Jones at halfback.

Canberra stalwart Ruben Wiki will captain the side from the second row after initially thinking he was going to play at centre.

Freeman said little could be read into the team selection in terms of his test line-up.

"There's a few guys out there that need some footy and a couple of senior players who need a rest because they've had a long season. We've got young halves [Tony and Hohaia] but I'm confident they can do the job."

The match, which starts at 8am NZ time, will be the last played at the Boulevard ground, home to the Hull club since 1895.

Freeman, who turned out there in his playing career, said the atmosphere would be intense.

"It's going to be very tough. The crowd is going to be jam-packed and they'll want their team to win the last game at the Boulevard."

Hull will name their team today.

Kiwis: David Vaealiki, Francis Meli, Nigel Vagana, Clinton Toopi, Henry Fa'afili, Motu Tony, Lance Hohaia, Logan Swann, Ruben Wiki (capt), Tony Puletua, Paul Rauhihi, Monty Betham, Jason Cayless. Interchange: Michael Smith, Richard Swain, Awen Guttenbeil, Stephen Kearney.

* Bradford wing Tevita Vaikona became the latest casualty of the tour after aggravating an Achilles injury during the English Super League grand final.

Vaikona, picked for the Kiwis for the first time, pulled out after consulting medical staff.

He saw out the grand final, won in the last minute by St Helens 19-18, but indicated to Kiwis coach Gary Freeman he had wanted to come off before the final whistle.

"It's disappointing for him. He got through the game, but wanted to come off. The way he is now, he can hardly walk," Freeman said.

Vaikona, who will not be replaced, joins Nathan Cayless (knee), Matt Utai, Craig Smith (ankle) and Andrew Lomu (shoulder) as players forced to undergo surgery or rehabilitation after they were named.

- NZPA