Rugby League: Penrith graduates do battle as Kiwis and Kangaroos

By CHRIS BARCLAY

TERRIGAL - The rewards are there in black and white - or green and gold.

Win the National Rugby League and you have a better chance of getting a test cap to complement your gold premiership ring.

Go from obscurity to a household name by playing winning footy between March and October. Case in point: Penrith.

The 2003 grand final winners could have eight of their first graders lining up in the Anzac test, four each in the Kiwis and Kangaroos, providing Frank Pritchard and Luke Lewis end up as more than cover for their respective nations at Newcastle's EnergyAustralia Stadium tonight.

The Kiwis already have the "hair bear" duo Tony Puletua and Joe Galuvao starting in the second row and Paul Whatuira, a virtual unknown outside the Panthers' die-hard fan base makes his test debut at centre.

Desperate to grab transtasman bragging rights for the Aussies at the next Panthers training run are halfback Craig Gower, prop Joel Clinton and lock Trent Waterhouse.

Puletua and Gower both have test pedigrees but Galuvao and Whatuira - both Auckland Warriors rejects - Clinton and Waterhouse can thank Penrith's success for an opportunity to play on the international stage.

If Whatuira was the most unheralded New Zealander to claim a premiership ring, then Waterhouse may well be his equivalent in the Kangaroos.

Not all that long ago, Waterhouse was piloting a forklift around a west Sydney warehouse.

Mention his name this time last year in league circles and even the most avid fan would probably shrug and plead ignorance.

It is a different story these days.

With three tests and a Kangaroos tour to his name, Waterhouse is widely known to supporters and, more importantly, the Australian Rugby League selectors who last Sunday named him for a home test debut.

"The last eight months or so have gone so fast. It's been a bit of a blur to be honest. I've barely had time to catch my breath," Waterhouse, 23, said.

The test will mark another career highlight for the New South Welshman who is yet to play State of Origin.

"Playing for my country in England was great, but wearing the green and gold in front of my family and friends will be something else," he said.

Waterhouse is also being watched at close quarters, with Pritchard, 21, admitting he has set an example to follow.

"He's gone from the trials at Penrith to being a test player. He's just a powerhouse; he does everything right."

- NZPA