Rugby League: Kiwis not without hope, says Anderson

By PETER JESSUP

The spectre of the 52-0 defeat in the Anzac test of 2000 looms large over Friday's encounter as the Kiwi side endure a similarly strained build-up through injury and suspension worries.

But the advantage this time is that the players are vastly more experienced in the NRL and the England-based Robbie Paul and Lesley Vainikolo have arrived for the full build-up instead of stepping off the plane on Wednesday and playing on Friday as Robbie and brother Henry did in 2000.

And there are fewer Warriors in the team, a blessing given the turmoil the club is in.

But suspicion grows that the New Zealanders, with issues galore clouding their vision, will be overrun by a more co-ordinated Australian outfit.

Captain Ruben Wiki will go before the NRL judiciary committee tonight and it is likely he will be suspended, despite a plea from Sharks prop Jason Stevens in his support.

Wiki was staying staunch yesterday, committed to defending the charge and hopeful of playing, throwing his all into leadership on the park as the Kiwis trained in temperatures of 24C at Gosford Stadium.

He will remain with the team as a mentor, despite the outcome.

Aside from the teenagers, who will doubtless be jittery, there are the Warriors who will undoubtedly be wondering what's up at their club given the precarious situation in which Stacey Jones seems to sit and now the sacking of Ali Lauitiiti.

"We're probably 30-point underdogs," said coach Daniel Anderson, who is now under enormous pressure to succeed.

He had heard ex-Kiwis had been "putting the boot in" via the New Zealand media, but the team had not discussed the odds or comments, and would not use that as motivation, Anderson said.

"We want to compete. I've got some handy footballers here - our aim is to get 50 per cent of the possession and hold on to it."

Do that and they would compete, he felt.

"This is the best team who could have been selected. Most of them are in form at winning clubs. We're not without hope."

Prop Jason Cayless completed the run with no problems, but his right knee was bandaged and put into ice afterwards.

He has assured Anderson he can run out the 80 minutes if necessary, but must pass another medical exam today.

Veteran Stephen Kearney said there was none of the feel of 2000 about the build-up.

"I never think we're on a hiding to nothing. We give ourselves a good chance if we hold the ball."

It seems he will not be captain should Wiki go as expected. Former skipper Nathan Cayless could get the nod, but the coach also mentioned Nigel Vagana as a prospect, because he likes Vagana's attitude.

The Australian team trained at the venue at Newcastle.