Rugby League: Leuluai follows in his dad's famous footsteps

By PETER JESSUP

With only 12 NRL games behind him, Thomas Leuluai will make his test debut against Australia next weekend at halfback.

He takes the spot left by injured Stacey Jones, with Bulldogs' centre Nigel Vagana named at five-eighth.

Leuluai had been like "a dead man walking" in the lead-up, said coach Daniel Anderson, believing he would be replaced by Robbie Paul. But Paul is committed to the Super League grand final, with Bradford playing Wigan next weekend.

Thomas' father, James, played for the Kiwis from 1979 to 1986 and they are the eighth father and son combo to represent their country.

Kiwis coach Daniel Anderson will be hoping Thomas' father can instil some confidence in his 18-year-old son because the Kiwis are going to need it. He, Vinnie Anderson and Sione Faumuina are the new caps in a team with six changes from the side who played in July.

Anderson rated his forwards as good if not better than the Australians and had no worries about talent in the backs. But he conceded the Kangaroos had the advantage of experience and would press in the numbers one, six, seven and nine jerseys. "That's the difference between the two teams."

But Anderson and captain Ruben Wiki remain confident the side will rise to the occasion at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday evening, with no chance of a repeat of the 48-6 scoreline conceded in July.

Motu Tony rolled his ankle in the opposed training run against New Zealand A at Albany on Saturday, but it wasn't serious and he will play at fullback, likely coming up into the line to defend, with Vagana dropping back.

Vagana's role would be more as back-up runner than wide passer.

Anderson said he was happy that Leuluai, Vagana and Tony between them could cope with the field kicking.

Putting the inexperienced kickers under some pressure would be a focus of training this week.

He chose Vagana at five-eighth because he wanted cover in the halves, with Tony able to come forward.

That was the big weakness in the first test, Anderson said. But he has retained a four-forward bench.

That did not mean they would play strictly up the middle, Anderson said.

But it does leave them open to a speed attack and the Australians are sure to try to exploit fatigue against the big Kiwi forwards.

However, if the Kiwis can keep the ball moving with off-loads and a quick short-passing game they could repeatedly bust the line.

He chose Nathan Cayless to start ahead of Jerry Seuseu at prop for two reasons: he wants the Cayless brothers to spark each other in their first test together and he believes Seuseu has been making more impact off the bench.

Joe Galuvao was the only player who did not run on Saturday, the badly-bruised hip he carried through the finals still bothering him, but Anderson was unconcerned given the form he showed there and his recent game time.

Sione Faumuina and Tony had both put themselves forward as goal-kickers.

Kiwis: Motu Tony, Henry Fa'afili, Vinnie Anderson, Clinton Toopi, Francis Meli, Nigel Vagana, Thomas Leuluai, Jason Cayless, Monty Betham, Nathan Cayless, Joe Galuvao, Tony Puletua, Ruben Wiki (capt); interchange, Awen Guttenbeil, Jerry Seuseu, Ali Lauiti'iti, Sione Faumuina.

Possible Kangaroo side: Darren Lockyer (capt), Luke Lewis, Shannon Hegarty Bailey, Michael De Vere, Matt Sing, Matt Geyer, Brett Kimmorley, Shane Webcke, Danny Buderus, Richard Villasanti, Steve Simpson, Willie Mason, Phil Bailey; interchange, Robbie Kearns, Craig Wing, Michael Crocker, Trent Waterhouse.

Others in the Aussie squad: Ryan Girdler, Craig Gower, Joel Clinton, Luke Ricketson, Craig Fitzgibbon, Petero Civoniceva (suspended).

Father-and-son Kiwis

Eric Grey (1920) and son Ian (1955/56).

Ted Mincham (1935/36) and Bob (1966-68).

Ivor Stirling (1939) and Ken (1971-78).

Len Jordan (1946-49) and Chris (1977/78).

Dave Redmond (1948/49) and Wayne (1970).

Ken McCracken (1961-64) and Jarrod (1991-99).

Don Mann (1971-74) and Duane (1989-94).

James Leuluai (1979-86) and Thomas (2003).