Rugby League: Coach urges patience and basics

By PETER JESSUP

There was a buoyant mood in the Kiwi camp yesterday, the players lifted by the high spirits of the eight winning Warriors in a team full of familiar faces.

Little is known about the level of opposition France will be able to muster for the test match at Ericsson Stadium on Sunday. Kiwis Coach Gary Freeman was last night reviewing video of the tourists' first outing, in Christchurch.

Kiwi selector Gerard Stokes watched the French train before and after their 24-18 win over the South Island selection, and said yesterday that little could be read into the match performance.

"They have some class players. They didn't show that much [in Christchurch] and they didn't extend themselves."

The Kiwis will enjoy a significant size advantage and the core of the squad have been together for several years, despite their average age being in the mid-20s. But there is the risk of taking the visitors too lightly, of looking at the speed and skill out wide and trying to go there too early.

Freeman said yesterday he expected his side could score tries from anywhere, but he wanted a solid structure laid by the forwards first.

Wing Nigel Vagana remained a doubtful starter last night. The Bulldog is trying to convince team management he will be fit for the game, despite leaving the field early in Canterbury's loss to the Raiders on Saturday.

But last night Bulldogs chief executive Bob Hagan said a scan showed that he would be out for at least a fortnight.

"The ankle has improved unbelievably in the past 24 hours ... but it won't enable him to play this weekend," Hagan said. "If it had been the following weekend, he would have been close to the mark."

Vagana was to have a further MRI scan, and Freeman was reluctant to rule him out if he was a chance, but Henry Fa'afili was called in late Sunday as cover.

The first team meeting last night was to introduce Freeman's game plan. Their first run at Nga Tapuwae College, at 10 am today, would be a relaxed, get-to-know-each-other session, open to the public.

"I just want them to know each other sound-wise so they respond to the calls, build up some team knowledge," Freeman said.

The intense stuff will start tomorrow, when they start laying down defensive plans. New captain Nathan Cayless realises he has a big chance to cement what could be a long career as skipper, but said he did not feel pressured.

"I want to make the most of the opportunity. It's like the Eels, there's plenty of experienced players around me and I don't see myself having to do a lot," he said.

The 23-year-old found his recent suspension frustrating and has worked to modify the tackle technique that led to the ban. He said the Eels staff had worked him hard to stay fit but it was a good chance to freshen his game.

Cayless was happy with the Kiwi selections.

"It's an exciting team. The Warriors are playing well and they've brought that enthusiasm in. I see this as an opportunity to build on. Obviously the side will look a bit different when we play Australia but it's good to have that talent coming in."

Fa'afili was returning from church activities when he got the call from team manager Gordon Gibbons. "I thought it was a joke," he said.

Fa'afili, who has played 28 NRL games, has worked to improve his ability to take the attacking kick and hauled in two on Friday for a try himself and a gift to fullback Ivan Cleary to seal the Warriors' win.

The French play a Central Districts selection at Palmerston North tomorrow. Their coach, Gilles Dumas, indicated the seven members of the tour party who did not play the first game would get a run.