Rugby: Joeli's travels should soon be nearing an end

By Chris Rattue

The wrangle over which province All Black wing Joeli Vidiri will play for should be resolved this week.

Vidiri has been included in the Counties-Manukau side to play an NPC warm-up match against King Country at Pukekohe today, even though his return from Auckland has not been confirmed.

At Auckland's request, the New Zealand Rugby Football Union has been checking Vidiri's situation and rugby services director Bill Wallace said they would announce their stance by the end of this week.

Vidiri's manager, Rod Ketels, and Counties-Manukau say Vidiri is determined to stay with the Steelers, for whom he has played since arriving from Fiji.

After the change to Super 12 boundaries, Vidiri transferred to Auckland so he could remain with the Blues, but as part of the deal Auckland apparently agreed he could return to Counties-Manukau - who are now in the Chiefs Super 12 franchise - for the NPC.

Vidiri, who is in the New Zealand A squad, will be reunited with his old Counties-Manukau partner-in-destruction, Jonah Lomu, today.

Counties-Manukau manager Gary Carter said they won a dispensation from New Zealand A coach Ross Cooper allowing Vidiri to leave camp and play for the Steelers.

Lomu is among six All Black squad members who will be given a run in the match. Midfield back Pita Alatini from Otago will also line up for Counties-Manukau, while forwards Mark Hammett, Greg Feek (Canterbury) and Royce Willis (Waikato) and halfback Byron Kelleher (Otago) will play for King Country.

Counties-Manukau have included two newcomers in their starting lineup, blindside flanker Maka Tatafa, and young lock George Stowers.

Meanwhile, New Zealand A, who leave for Australia tomorrow morning, will today announce the side to take on the ACT Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday night. They will also play the Australian Barbarians in Melbourne the following Saturday night, and finish their five-match campaign with a return match against the Barbarians in Whangarei on July 25.

ACT coach Eddie Jones has included young prop Ben Darwin, who was refused permission by the Australian Rugby Union to play for Counties-Manukau this season, on the bench for Saturday night's match against New Zealand A.

Darwin had his Super 12 hopes wrecked this year when he broke an arm trying to tackle Lomu in a pre-season match.

Former New South Wales halfback Anthony Ekert will have his first start for ACT in place of Wallaby George Gregan, while test reserve forward Jim Williams is the only player from the recent internationals against Ireland and England who will play.

A number of fringe test players will be pressing for international selection, while captain Brett Robinson - who has yet to re-sign for the Brumbies - will lead the side.

Counties-Manukau: Loki Crichton, Joeli Vidiri, Peter Epati, Jonah Lomu, Pita Alatini, Blair Feeney, Harley Crane; Koula Tukino, Mark Todd, George Stowers, Andrew Campbell, Maka Tatafa, Jeremy Tomouli, Grant Henson, Lee Lidgard (captain).

ACT: Mark Bartholomeusz, Mitch Hardy, Graeme Bond, Damian McInally, Rod Kafer, Craig McMullin, Anthony Ekert; Jim Williams, Brett Robinson (captain), Justin Harrison, Troy Jaques, Ipolito Fenukitau, Rod Moore, Marco Caputo. Bill Young. Reserves: Kai Brownlee, Aaron Hardcastle, John Allen, Craig Wells, Andrew Maloney, Radike Samo, Ben Darwin, Brett Foster.