Rugby League: Freeman goes for youth and form in Kiwis

By PETER JESSUP

The new Kiwi selectors have gone for youth, enthusiasm and form in their squad for the test against France next month, with Warriors fullback Motu Tony the bolter, in at fullback after only seven part-games in the NRL.

Tony is one of seven Warriors in coach Gary Freeman's side.

Logan Swann is the surprise omission after 15 successive tests.

The resurgent Auckland club provides wing Francis Meli, in for his size and speed and ability as a back-up forward late in the game, centre Clinton Toopi, for his guile with the ball, and the great Stacey Jones at halfback, of course.

Ali Lauiti'iti was picked for the bench, but elevated after Craig Smith's suspension, and Monty Betham is in for the impact and power he has given the Warriors off the bench and as utility.

Freeman rated Jerry SeuSeu as one of the hardest-working, mistake-free props around and he gets in for balance, with his hard yards complementing the ball-players.

Of the 19-year-old Tony, a product of Auckland's Marist club and De La Salle College, Freeman said he had no worries, despite Tony's sometimes shaky game against the Melbourne Storm last weekend.

"He's an exceptional talent. I expect him to have a wow of a game this weekend [Warriors v North Queensland] after hearing about this and I expect him to go on with it against France."

Five players come from the Storm. Henry Perenara, aged 20, with three bench starts for the Warriors and 13 games for the Storm, takes Swann's starting lock spot. He is in for his ball-skills, interplay with the bigger forwards and back-up.

Kiwi regulars Steve Kearney, Richard Swain and Matt Rua are retained, as is last season's five-eighth Tasesa Lavea.

Freeman has met the NRL bosses and is confident he will have the Storm players in camp five days out from the test against Australia, despite their club's insistence that it will not release them until they have played the game against Penrith, which would mean only a three-day gap.

The Warriors have already indicated full support for their test players and said they would be available when required.

Their coach Daniel Anderson, is happy his young stars will gain international experience.

Freeman said the squad was one for the future.

Those that came up to expectation would hold their places for the test against Australia in July.

"I'm looking a long way into the future. This isn't a side picked for one game," he said.

As selectors, he, Jarrod McCracken and Gerard Stokes had "a duty to give these guys a shot," he said of a side with an average age of 23.

"I'm hoping these guys will get a taste and want more. I'm really excited about it. I think this team is special, I really do."

He rejected the suggestion there was too much youth and not enough experience - "they're all playing NRL week after week so they should be able to hack it."

The team call made last night live on Sky TV - even the players were not informed beforehand - signals that the end is nigh for some, most notably former captain Quentin Pongia and fellow prop Jason Lowrie, and that regulars such as Tony Puletua and Tyran Smith have to force their way back.

Freeman knows little about the standard of the French tourists. The last encounter between the two sides was a 10-try, 54-6 romp to the Kiwis at the World Cup last year.

"But I know that like any international side, if you allow the opposition to do things with the ball you'll find yourself in trouble," he said.

The side he and his fellow selectors have selected is one who can certainly do things with the ball against France at Ericsson Stadium on June 10.

Allowed any time to settle, the backs have the potential to rack up a cricket score.