Rugby League: Endacott to blood new players in Anzac test

By Peter Jessup

Expect some new faces in the Kiwi side to play the Anzac test at Sydney in a fortnight.

Coach Frank Endacott yesterday vowed to bring in new blood when he names his side on Tuesday and declared his aim is further down the track, at the Tri-Series in October, and next year's World Cup.

Suspensions, injury, retirement and lack of form also take established test players out of the picture. The biggest hole is in the kicking department after the loss of both Matthew Ridge and Darryl Halligan. Stacey Jones or Henry Paul, both certainties in the starting side, will get the job but neither offers radar-like accuracy.

There is pressure in the outside backs and behind the front row, prop the only position where Endacott may have to toss a coin.

"The time is absolutely perfect to try some new guys," the coach said. "It's a perfect opportunity for them to put their hands up - a one-off test. With luck they will be pushing others who might return later for the Tri-Series and World Cup."

Endacott's problem, standard for any Kiwi coach, is that there are several positions with only one outstanding candidate.

Compare the halves: The Aussies are arguing about Alfie Langer, Andrew Johns and Brett Kimmorley at halfback and Brad Fittler, Kevin Walters or Laurie Daley at five-eighth.

Endacott has Stacey Jones as his only specialist halfback of international class and Robbie Paul outside Jones given Gene Ngamu's apparent crisis of confidence.

Stamped in as certainties are:

* Quentin Pongia - form prop of the NRL competition.

* Jarrod McCracken in the second row - firepower aplenty and the best example of how the Kiwi jersey introduces rocket thrust in the minds of the players, or in the words of his coach "if everyone played up to his capabilities we'd really be in business."

* Richie Barnett at fullback - superb in England, great taker of the high ball and dangerously elusive in kick return.

* Henry Paul at hooker - you couldn't expect Syd Eru to front after months out after wrist ligament surgery despite the work he's done to maintain fitness and Paul can cover half and fullback

* Ruben Wiki - damaging defence at inside centre and still best choice there despite Canberra moving him to the forwards.

* Jones at half.

Assuming Endacott keeps faith with the 1998 tourists to England - and he is the sort of bloke who keeps faith - youngsters Nathan Cayless, Tony Puletua and Ali Lauitiiti will get a shot in the second row despite the latter two having recent injury problems that have kept them out of the NRL.

Sean Hoppe will hold his wing spot for the same reason and because of a lack of competition - Canberra's Lesley Vainikolo is off form and in the reserve grade.

New Warrior Odell Manuel has done enough - no mistakes and damaging running - to earn the other flank.

Ritchie Blackmore's injury isn't a repeat of previous episodes where English clubs have bullied players not to make themselves available for the Kiwis, Endacott said.

He spoke to the Leeds centre this week "and I know him well enough to know it's genuine." Blackmore needs a second groin operation and may not be able to front for the May 1 Challenge Cup, he said.

So at centre it's either Junior Kiwi David Kidwell from the Eels or Canterbury's Willie Talau

"Both are improving game by game but both have a way to go yet," the coach said. Kidwell perhaps has the inside running because of his international experience and an extra year across the Tasman.

Logan Swann is the only realistic option at lock. He's a hard worker on defence and, for a 23-year-old, has a wealth of test play behind him.

With Stephen Kearney suspended Cayless should partner McCracken in the second row, with Lauitiiti a valuable ball-playing bench injection.

If youth counts Brady Malam should be the second starting prop. You couldn't split him and Terry Hermansson on form and both shade Jason Lowrie.

Joe Vagana hasn't had as much game time as last year and for that reason might be better off on the bench than starting.

The wild card could be St George/Illawarra prop Craig Smith, suspended until next weekend.

But Smith rang Endacott yesterday begging for a chance and keen to file his training readouts to prove he could handle the test.

The squad of 18 assemble in Parramatta on Monday, April 19. The revamped side will face a similarly altered Aussie outfit, the uncertainty in selection given the poor form of the internationals at champions Brisbane and Manly and a change of coach from Wayne Bennett to Chris Anderson offering some chinks in the Kangaroo armour.

Possible test sides:

New Zealand: Richie Barnett (Sydney City), Odell Manuel (Warriors), David Kidwell (Parramatta), Ruben Wiki (Canberra), Sean Hoppe (Warriors), Robbie Paul (Bradford), Stacey Jones (Warriors), Quentin Pongia, captain (Sydney City), Henry Paul (Bradford), Brady Malam (Warriors), Jarrod McCracken (Parramatta), Nathan Cayless (Parramatta), Logan Swann (Warriors); interchange Tony Puletua (Penrith), Craig Smith (St George/Illawarra), Joe Vagana (Warriors), Willie Talau (Canterbury).

Australia: Darren Lockyer (Brisbane), Mat Rogers (Cronulla), Darren Smith (Canterbury), Laurie Daley (Canberra), Wendell Sailor (Brisbane), Brad Fittler, captain (Sydney City), Alfie Langer (Brisbane) Glenn Lazarus (Melbourne), Andrew Johns (Newcastle), Robbie Kearns (Melbourne), Gorden Tallis (Brisbane), Dean Pay (Parramatta), Jason Smith (Parramatta); interchange Bryan Fletcher (Sydney City), Jason Stevens (Cronulla), Matt Sing (Sydney City), Ryan Girdler (Penrith).