By Peter Jessup
Kiwi coach Frank Endacott filled in the final gaps on his whiteboard and in his squad for the Anzac test yesterday, relieved the latest round of the NRL competition hadn't robbed him any further.
Endacott declared himself "as happy as I can be" with a side depleted by injury
and suspension. "It's exciting that there will be new faces who I believe will be around for a few years yet."
He was to notify the New Zealand Rugby League of his choices late yesterday and had already checked all were available. The side will be named this afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Australians look like losing Canterbury hooker Jason Hetherington for the test on April 23, but Brisbane halfback Allan Langer is free to play.
NRL judicial commissioner Jim Hall confirmed they had looked at a high tackle made by Langer in the match against South Sydney on Sunday.
"We looked at it but decided there was nothing in it," Hall said. "But it looks very much as if Jason (Hetherington) will be out of the test because of his tackle, which shows there is no bias," he added tongue in cheek, referring to the number of Kiwis test contenders who have been ruled out through NRL suspensions.
Hetherington will only face a one-match ban if he pleads guilty, but that will still make him ineligible for the test as Canterbury have a bye this weekend.
Hetherington and Melbourne Storm's comeback boy Rodney Howe were the only players charged from the latest round of matches after the judiciary viewed 24 incidents on video.
The commission responded to a complaint from the Warriors regarding Howe's swinging arm shot on Jason Death by laying a grade two careless tackle charge.
The Melbourne prop who was making his first appearance since serving a 22-match ban for drug use will cop, at worst, a one-week ban while Death is out two months with a broken jaw.
The Warriors continue their back-to-the-people approach today, taking their afternoon training session to the Bay Roskill club in Whitney Street Blockhouse Bay at 2.30pm.
