Rugby League: Endacott sees gain for Kiwis as test nears

By Peter Jessup

There was good and bad news for the Kiwis yesterday, five weeks out from their first 1999 mission on Anzac Day.

St George-Illawarra prop Craig Smith is up on a judiciary charge that could see him suspended until that game, which would make his selection unlikely.

But if stability and preparation count, the Kiwis have a good march on the Kangaroos, who were flattened yesterday by news that Wayne Bennett has withdrawn from the coaching position.

The new boy, to be appointed next week, may bring a new selection policy, new calls, a new game plan.

"I see it as another hurdle for them - one we don't have," said Kiwi coach Frank Endacott.

He is already well down the selection track, the tourists to England last November obviously holding preference.

But Endacott has already had a look at most of the Kiwi candidates in the National Rugby League after a trans-Tasman trip to the opening round, and he will see the rest when he goes to Sydney next week.

Among those he's had his eye on are centres Willie Talau, with Canterbury, and David Kidwell, from Parramatta.

He was pleased to hear from the Eels that last year's impact forward Nathan Cayless is OK after being stretchered off the field with a neck injury in round one.

A neurologist cleared Cayless of any damage from the tackle that initially left him without feeling in his arms, and he was rested at the weekend as a precaution.

Smith, bench prop in 1998, has been charged with dropping his knee into the back of a tackled Canterbury player in Sunday's game.

His impact in England last year and early-season form was such that he seemed a certain starter for the Anzac test.

But if found guilty, he will be out for four weeks and short of match fitness.
Hooker Syd Eru is still recovering from surgery on wrist ligaments.

Medical staff say he's fit and firing to return, but he'll likely be short of match-play to stake a claim before the team for the Homebush assignment of Friday, April 23 is chosen on the 13th of next month.

In England, Paul brothers Henry and Robbie were to the fore when Bradford hammered Warrington 52-16 at the weekend.

Endacott spoke to England Rugby League chief executive Neil Tunnicliffe at the international board meeting in Sydney last week, and was assured all Euro Super League players will be released for internationals this season.

Endacott said he would start selection by asking those from 1998, including retirees Matthew Ridge and Darryl Halligan, if they were available again.

"I'll do the ethical thing and give them the opportunity to make themselves available but they have to want to play - I'm not going to push them."

In contrast the Kangaroos will start from behind the dead ball line. Bennett told the Australian Rugby League on Monday night that he was relinquishing the Kangaroos post because of the Broncos' two-loss start to the season.

The ARL, fresh from a New South Wales versus Queensland battle for control, will appoint a new coach to take the test side through to next year's World Cup.

Melbourne's Chris Anderson is a favourite but facing opposition from within the fledgling club; there's also the outside prospect of Bob Fulton coming back, having told Manly he won't go past 1999.

Having already given up the Queensland State of Origin job, Bennett decided to declare his unavailability for the April 23 Anzac test at Stadium Australia after Sunday's 6-14 loss to Cronulla.

Former Kangaroo prop Ian Roberts yesterday said he wanted to come out of retirement for the North Queensland Cowboys after reaching an out-of-court settlement with old opponent Gary Jack in a civil case related to an on-field assault.