Rugby League: NRL form lifts Freeman's hopes of better effort against Australia

By PETER JESSUP

Kiwi coach Gary Freeman is heartened by the performance of the New Zealanders in the NRL this season, and the Warriors reaching the finals.

He believes both factors augur well for the one-off test against Australia.

"We learned a lot last year and I expect the new players we introduced to go a lot better this time around," said Freeman. "They [Australia] were on top form and we let the pressure get to us.

"Now those players are more experienced. They know what to expect. They know if they make a mistake the Aussies will pounce and kill them."

Of the eight new caps last year, six were Warriors. Francis Meli, Henry Fa'afili, Jerry Seuseu, Clinton Toopi, Monty Betham and Motu Tony from the club were joined by Henry Perenara, of the Storm, and David Solomona, of the Eels.

Only Perenara from that group will struggle to make the Kiwi touring squad of 26. Freeman and fellow selectors Gerard Stokes and Jarrod McCracken will make their picks this weekend.

The 17 to play Australia will come from those 26. Two days after the game against the Kangaroos, the Kiwis fly to England for eight games, including three tests against Great Britain.

Freeman likes the form of the Warriors and Bulldogs players. He is obviously disappointed that captain Nathan Cayless will not be allowed to play against the Australians - he has two games to go on his suspension - but he is sure to resume the leadership role for the three games against the British.

Stephen Kearney would have to be the best bet as fill-in in Wellington.

Freeman said he had told nine Australian-based players whose teams are out of finals to keep training. Good bets for those would be Bulldogs Willie Talau, Nigel Vagana and Matt Utai, Cayless, Solomona and David Vaealiki from the Eels, Kearney and Richard Swain at Melbourne and Ruben Wiki in Canberra.

Of the Warriors, Stacey Jones, Ali Lauiti'iti, Toopi and Seuseu are sitters for selection for Australia and to tour. Meli and Fa'afili will face stiff competition for flank spots from the Dogs' Utai and Vagana.

Betham is not likely for the test against Australia because of lack of match time, but will go to England and should reclaim a test spot there.

Second-rowers Logan Swann and Awen Guttenbeil will both make the England tour and I would also have both in my team for Australia.

Motu Tony may again have to alternate at five-eighth and fullback. He is an elusive runner in traffic and will be safer under the high ball at the back and more settled in running the plan when up in the line now that he has more experience under his belt.

It looks as if Richie Barnett will not be a fullback option even when the side get to England. He has been dogged by injury and bad form. The only England-based player considered a shoo-in is Robbie Paul, partly because Freeman does not have much choice at five-eighth.

Warrior Lance Hohaia should make the tour but the pressure-cooker of a test against Australia may be a step too far, too soon. The tour is the place to develop and blood him.

Another of Freeman's bland hints was that there would be no real surprises in the team against Australia.

The Kiwi team could be:

Clinton Toopi, Matt Utai, Nigel Vagana, Willie Talau, Francis Meli, Motu Tony, Stacey Jones, Jerry Seuseu, Richard Swain, Ruben Wiki, Ali Lauiti'iti, Stephen Kearney, Logan Swann; Awen Guttenbeil, David Vaealiki, David Solomona, Jason Cayless.

The wider touring squad might include: Lance Hohaia, Monty Betham, Jamaal Lolesi (Canberra), Matt Rua (Storm), Junior Langi (Storm), Tony Puletua (Panthers), Nathan Cayless, Craig Smith (Leeds) and Robbie Paul (Bradford).