Rugby League: Kiwis primed to take battle to Kangaroos

By PETER JESSUP

The Kiwis have a big, powerful and well-balanced squad, with no rookies and no second-stringers, and look to be an even bet against any 17 the Australians care to put out for the Anzac test in Sydney on April 21.

Richie Barnett continues his captaincy reign, while Quentin Pongia will return to the Kiwis after one game for the Roosters against Penrith on Saturday following a three-game suspension.

Wests Tigers' in-form lock Tyran Smith comes back after playing his last test in 1997. He was running head-to-head with Logan Swann, easily the most consistently good Warrior this season, with Smith winning after Swann went to the doctor yesterday for treatment for a medial ligament tear and was told to take three weeks' rest.

The squad named by the New Zealand Rugby League yesterday, predicted 100 per cent in the Herald on Monday, are: Richie Barnett (Sydney City, captain), Richie Blackmore (Leeds), Stacey Jones (Warriors), Stephen Kearney (Storm), Ali Lauiti'iti (Warriors), Tesesa Lavea (Storm), Jason Lowrie and Jarrod McCracken (Wests Tigers), Henry and Robbie Paul (Bradford), Quentin Pongia (Roosters), Matt Rua (Storm), Craig Smith (Dragons), Tyran Smith (Wests Tigers), Richard Swain (Storm), Willie Talau (Bulldogs), Joe and Nigel Vagana (Warriors), Lesley Vainikolo (Canberra).

The NZRL gave coach Frank Endacott leeway to take two extras into camp when the squad assemble in Sydney next Monday and they are Warrior second rower Ali Lauiti'iti and Storm standoff Tasesa Lavea, both 20.

Lauiti'iti went on the 1998 tour to England but did not play. Lavea comes in after only a season and 10 games but had good pedigree as a Junior Kiwi. The pair are seen more as injury standbys and as gaining from the experience as Endacott builds for the November World Cup rather than as starters in Sydney.

Barnett was ecstatic with his selection after he had been troubled by knee and thigh injuries, and with retaining the leadership.

"Relieved, happy - there's nothing like the honour of leading your country," said the back utility who will turn 29 on Good Friday, match-day at Stadium Australia.

"It's a tough side. There's a couple coming back from injuries but I'm sure they'll be OK once they get the jersey on. We're all playing good football. We should be very strong," Barnett said.

In a pleasing sign, the game's talent-spotting and national recruitment programme is working as it should, with 15 of the 19 named coming through the NZRLs development school. They have an average age of just over 25 and an average of 26 tests each - a statistically beautiful arrangement that promises that youth and experience will come into play at the Olympic venue.

The Kiwis have not won in Sydney since 1953. The test record against Australia reads played 94, won 26, lost 67, drawn one.

Recent history is more balanced. Since 1997 there have been eight tests. The Kiwis have won three, lost five.

It was at North Harbour Stadium in the last test of 1997 that the core of this group learned they could beat Australia, catching a side hit by injuries with a 30-12 scoreline.

In the Anzac game the next year, it was 22-16 to the Kiwis at Albany. In last year's they lost 16-20, before the Kiwis went one-all in the tri-series, winning the opener 24-22 and losing the final 20-22.

"This will be anyone's game on the day," Barnett said. "We have the players to intimidate them, players with a good work ethic. Whoever turns up wanting it most will win."

The Kiwis have a big plus in having named their squad a week ahead of Australia. And while the Aussies argue over whether Brad Fittler should be standoff or lock, whether Andrew Johns or Brett Kimmorley should be halfback, whether to take in Craig Gower after injury rather than in-form Geoff Toovey at hooker, the Kiwis go in stable, organised, all playing in their preferred position.

They are a huge chance.