Rugby League: Freeman confident despite woes

By PETER JESSUP

Despite a long injury list the Kiwis will have a solid squad for their match against Australia in 10 days' time.

Coach Gary Freeman and his fellow selectors Jarrod McCracken and Gerard Stokes have gone for a four-forward bench, with the Eels' David Solomona the only new cap.

Only the Paul brothers will return from England.

There are injuries galore. Wing Francis Meli has a problem with a hamstring and second-rower Ruben Wiki has one with his neck, back and shoulder.

Both are doubtful for NRL matches this weekend and for the test in Wellington the following Friday.

Prop Craig Smith will play this weekend after five weeks on the sideline and Jerry SeuSeu is out this weekend with a suspension.

Despite the problems, Freeman remains sure he has a side to take it to the Kangaroos: "I think it's a great team."

He said he was not worried about any lack of speed out wide, or from the bench.

Clinton Toopi would have been included late, after the defection of Tonie Carroll and Richie Barnett's withdrawal with a hamstring problem. But at fullback the selectors have gone for Robbie Paul and with his brother Henry at five-eighth, they are indicating the brothers will have a big attacking role.

The side appears to have balance. There is go-forward with Smith and Nathan Cayless, who retains the captaincy, and SeuSeu will be available off the bench.

There is defensive solidity in the centre, and there will be defensive intimidation off the ruck from Steve Kearney, Wiki, Matt Rua and Monty Betham.

Ball-playing skill down the sides will be provided by Kearney, Ali Lauiti'iti and Solomona.

Betham's dummy-half distribution will be critical to the side's success and at the back, Henry Paul will be required to take a big hand, especially in combination with his brother Rob and Stacey Jones.

"The more ball we can get in Henry's hands the better," Freeman said.

Nigel Vagana is in the NRL top-three in the midfield this season. David Vaeliki is big, strong and fast, and so are the two wings Meli and Toopi.

They will need size wide to counter Adam MacDougall and Wendell Sailor - or Sailor's obvious replacement, Lote Tuquiri, should the Kangaroo bosses decide they don't want to further Sailor's test career because he is switching codes.

Sailor formally signed with the Australian Rugby Union yesterday, after months of speculation.

He will officially take up rugby on November 1 and will play for the Queensland Reds in the Super 12.

Tuquiri represented Fiji at the World Cup, so there is some doubt as to his eligibility to play for Australia.

The Kiwi selectors will today place five other players on standby to give them cover in case any other players drop out.

Freeman would not name those, saying: "We want to keep it between us and them, but obviously they are in the picture longer-term.

"It gives them something to think about. It's a position we have to take, given the injury considerations."

The big loser in the team named last night is prop Quentin Pongia, although Freeman said Pongia remained in his thoughts, making it likely he is in the standby five.

The others are likely to be centre Willie Talau, wing Henry Fa'afili and lock Henry Perenara, with a toss-up between Awen Guttenbeil and Logan Swann for a second-rower.

The Australians were to have released their side yesterday after State of Origin 3. But they have put that on hold, saying they want to see how injuries settle and check players' form in this weekend's NRL round.

The Origin 3 result may have upset their plans. NSW looked the better side on paper, but they showed no fire, no willingness to tackle and little attacking flair on Sunday night.

The selectors' will also be keen to see how Andrew Johns copes with his first game in two months when he returns from injury against Brisbane at Marathon on Friday night.

Brett Kimmorley was ordinary at halfback for the Blues, Alf Langer is not available, so Johns may get the job.

THE SQUAD

Robbie Paul, Clinton Toopi, Nigel Vagana, David Vaealiki, Francis Meli, Henry Paul, Stacey Jones, Craig Smith, Richard Swain, Nathan Cayless (capt), Ruben Wiki, Stephen Kearney, Monty Betham, Matt Rua, Jerry SeuSeu, Ali Lauiti'iti, David Solomona.