Tri-Nations dream on course

When the Kiwis boarded the plane to London yesterday, there were more than a few in the squad dreaming of what they could achieve on the other side of the world.

Top of the list, of course, is the Tri-Nations title - and that looks a distinct possibility given the way the Kiwis have opened their campaign - but there are also a couple of personal milestones there for the taking.

Skipper Ruben Wiki will break the world record for test appearances with 47 if he takes the field against Great Britain next Sunday morning and centre Nigel Vagana needs just one more try to break Sean Hoppe's all-time try-scoring record for New Zealand.

When Vagana was told of his try-scoring exploits, he arched an eyebrow, allowed a little smile to cross his face and responded curiously, "I didn't realise."

The 30-year-old scored his 17th test try in Friday's agonising 28-26 loss to the Kangaroos, one ahead of both Hugh McGahan and Kevin Iro, since he made his debut in 1998.

"We still lost so it probably wasn't enough," Vagana lamented, but once it sunk in he was a little more ebullient. "It is special. It's an honour to have been in the Kiwi jersey for so long. To help out teams I've played in by crossing the line is great.

"Sean is a good friend of mine and I'm sure when I catch up with him in the UK he will let me know I still haven't beaten him."

The try-scoring record will be significant to Vagana but it will be nothing compared to what it will mean if they can claim the Tri-Nations for the first time. Although the Kiwis are determined not to get too carried away, it's clear something special is occurring within Brian McClennan's side.

The coach can see it himself when he said it was a "new era for the Kiwis", while Wiki, centre Shontayne Hape and assistant coach Graeme Norton all talked about this team wanting to become the greatest New Zealand side in history.

They still have some way to go to achieve that but they will be buoyed by the fact they still have firepower to add to the squad in UK-based players Ali Lauiti'iti and Lesley Vainokolo. But uncertainty still surrounds Stacey Jones' availability for the remainder of the series.

Jones talked in riddles on Friday night saying "probably not", "we'll have to see how Lance [Hohaia] is going" - as he attempts to recover from his ankle injury - and that he "had to talk to my club in France and Bluey McClennan".

There is little doubt the team will benefit from Jones' inclusion but he said he "definitely" wouldn't be available for the final on November 26 because his third child is due two days earlier. Jones didn't travel with the rest of the squad yesterday, although there has been no indication that a replacement would be added and Hohaia is expected to be back in action in a fortnight.

Jones' absence could be offset by news that star Kangaroos halfback Andrew Johns could miss the rest of the series because of ongoing problems with the knee that underwent a total reconstruction earlier this year.

The Kiwis will arrive in London tomorrow morning [NZT] and have a quick turnaround before they take on Great Britain at Loftus Road next Sunday morning.

McClennan, though, shrugged off the tough draw that allowed Australia a week off before their campaign continues. "We're the little brother and we've been given the hard draw, so we're just going to have to line up and do the job in England," he said.

"We are a pretty resilient bunch. We are very determined to do well and we want to be there in the Tri-Nations final."

A whole nation wants you there as well, Brian.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY