Rugby League: Kiwis lifted by decision on Lauiti'iti

by PETER JESSUP

The Kiwis were bolstered by news yesterday that star second-rower Ali Lauiti'iti will play the test against Australia after escaping an NRL ban for a high tackle during Sunday's grand final.

Lauiti'iti was charged with a grade-one high shot on Roosters fullback Luke Phillips and pleaded guilty to take advantage of his good record.

He received a points discount for good behaviour, taking him under the 100 mark and avoiding an automatic week-long ban.

But carry-over points mean he is a goner if he offends next season.

The team's preparation for the one-off international has been hardly ideal, with players drifting into camp throughout yesterday from Australia and various parts of the country. Only three serious runs are planned before they meet the old foe.

All the players but one have been passed fit. Wing Francis Meli requires work on an injured thigh, but is expected to be all right by Saturday.

Coach Gary Freeman said he would like more time to prepare, but the Australians, who fly in at 3.30pm today, were in the same boat.

Lauiti'iti's clearance gave the squad a lift, he said.

"He's a quality player and we need people who can do something special if we're going to beat Australia."

Confidence was good, and there were no thoughts it was an impossible mission given the controlled win the Kangaroos engineered at the same venue last year.

"We've got a few ideas on how to go about beating them," Freeman said.

They would be put to the team and developed.

Freeman had no worries about a shortage of firepower up front, despite putting his rookie props against hardened veterans.

"Paul Rauhihi [on debut] has been given his job already and he knows what's required. He's very excited about it."

Andrew Lomu was a late addition to the squad after his grand final performance.

Lomu, who credits Roosters team-mate Luke Ricketson for helping him to give up drink and resolve personal problems, had been on the fringes of selection after Kiwi skipper Nathan Caylis opted for shoulder surgery following suspension.

"He had a great game, so was the obvious choice," Freeman said of Lomu, who will also make his debut if selected ahead of Nathan's younger brother Jason when the bench is whittled from six to four tomorrow. Freeman said he was not studying the opposition too much. "I'm just worried about my boys."

Nor was he concerned about the ability of stand-in fullback David Vaealiki to handle the kicks that are sure to come at him from Brett Kimmorley and Craig Wing.

"They have to get in position to do that," he said, believing the Kiwis would make it hard for them to get the territory, then find the time, to drop accurate bombs.

"I reckon our forwards can take it to them."

The Kiwis train at Rugby League Park, Porirua, at 2pm today and both sides will attend a parliamentary reception at 6pm. * New Zealand Warriors chief executive Mick Watson supports the idea of a second NRL team in New Zealand, based in Wellington.

He said he had talked to NRL chief executive David Gallop about ways of implementing it.

Gallop last week said a second New Zealand team was a prospect from 2005 because of the growing interest in the NRL here and the playing talent available.

There is a bye in the 15-team competition and he said a second New Zealand team was a third option behind a franchise on the New South Wales central coast and reviving a Gold Coast side.