Rugby League: Paul, Vainikolo are back

By PETER JESSUP

The Kiwis selectors have settled on the bulk of their squad, which includes bringing Robbie Paul and Lesley Vainikolo back from Bradford.

Paul, 28, last played for the Kiwis in England in 2002 and was last flown home in 2001.

He was ecstatic that a break in the Bulls' schedule this weekend allowed a call-up to the black jersey with none of the usual interference from the club dictating late arrivals by the players for the build-up.

He and Vainikolo, who last played for the side in 2000, were to fly out tonight and will meet the rest of the squad in Sydney on Sunday.

Paul was sworn to secrecy about the early call-up, but could not contain himself.

"I can't describe how elated I was when I got the phone call. The last time I played was two years ago and next Friday will be as special as the first time," he said.

He has been recovering from a broken arm and has played four games of Bradford's six.

The Bulls are second on the Super League table.

"To get a call-up for my country is awesome. One of the reasons why I became a player was to represent my country.

"I grew up watching Ellery Hanley, Wally Lewis and Mark Graham.

"They were my heroes for their respective countries and ever since then I wanted to pull on the black and white jumper."

The 193cm, 107kg Vainikolo has not appeared in a New Zealand shirt since the World Cup final in 2000, when he scored one of two tries in the 40-12 defeat to Australia.

Vainikolo appears to have made it because the Bulls' other wing, Tevita Vaikona, suffered a bad knee tear during a 54-8 defeat of St Helens at the weekend.

Anderson admitted this week that he wanted Vaikona in his squad last October, but missed out when Bradford needed him for Super League's grand final.

"There's a lot of people, including myself, who want to see him in international football."

The NZRL maintained a "neither confirm nor deny" stance on the duo yesterday, saying it would be inappropriate to leak the squad in dribs and drabs.

General manager Peter Cordtz confirmed only that there had been discussions with players in the Northern Hemisphere, as was usual as the selectors cast their net as wide as possible.

Paul is the perfect solution to the five-eighth quandary.

He also offers a field- and goal-kicking option.

The Kiwi selectors, Tony Kemp, Brian McClennan and Brent Todd, plus coach Daniel Anderson, made it clear this week that present form was the criteria.

Paul and Vainikolo have been in good form for the Bulls, the latter leading their hit-ups and metres-gained stats.

The improving form of some players had made the task harder after the latest rounds of football, Anderson said.

"Some [selections] will go to the wire this weekend."

It's now the "mix" the selectors have to get right - the balance between power and speed, between strength as against guile and vision.