League: Ankle injuries count out Toopi, Hohaia

Awen Guttenbeil crashes past the tackle bags of Stacey Jones (left) and Brent Webb during the Kiwis' training at St Paul's College in Ponsonby yesterday. Picture / Dean Purcell

Three-try hero Clinton Toopi and hooker Lance Hohaia are out of Friday night's second round of the Tri-Nations at Ericsson Stadium.

Toopi is still recovering from an ankle strain suffered in last Saturday's victory over the Kangaroos, and Hohaia is on crutches with strapping around torn ankle ligaments that could take four weeks to heal.

Both are still likely to go on the England leg of the series.

Motu Tony becomes the likely hooker, declaring yesterday: "I'll play at prop if they pick me - I'm desperate to play for New Zealand. That's why I came back from England."

And a replacement will be found at centre for Toopi because coach Brain McClennan still wants to use the obvious choice, Nigel Vagana, at five-eighth.

"We thought Nigel was great at six for us and we'd like to keep Nigel at six for the whole series," he said.

So a second-rower may get to play in the midfield. The alternative option is to cap specialists Steve Matai or George Carmont but those two look more NZ A level than top internationals.

There might be one more change off the bench. Tony Puletua is likely to push Nathan Cayless for his spot when the team for Friday night are announced today.

McClennan is wary of a wounded Kangaroos side, fully aware that they will not take kindly to losing and that reputations and jobs will be on the line should they lose again.

"We're not too concerned with what they do," he said when asked whether the Kangaroos' arrival at 10pm tomorrow would put them at a disadvantage.

"We know they'll improve but there's a lot of improvement in us, too."

The Kiwis trained yesterday at St Paul's College, where several, including halfback Stacey Jones, bench player David Solomona and Vagana, began their league careers.

Jones said it was a real buzz playing on his old school field in Ponsonby, and agreed that the long-term relationship established in a winning St Paul's team still added to the cohesion in the Kiwis.

"Knowing those guys for a really long time, you're very comfortable with them."

The star halfback admitted he was nervous before Saturday's game after a two-year absence from the Kiwis.

"I'll be a lot better before Friday's game. It's great to be back in the Kiwis. It's great to get that win. I feel good for all the league supporters - they've got something to cheer about after a tough couple of seasons."

The big question is Jones' availability for the rest of the series. He is definitely out for the first games in England, he said. His wife is expecting their third child and he has commitments to his new club in France.

When he signed with the club he told them he would not be involved in representative football any more, he said. They had agreed he could take part in the early games but he then had commitments to help promote the new club's entry into Super League.

If the Kiwis made the final and McClennan asked if he would play, "I'd certainly have to have a re-think", Jones said.

Captain Ruben Wiki will equal Gary Freeman's record of 46 tests on Friday night, a milestone he is shy about but regards as a huge honour.

"It's a very, very good team to be leading. The players and the staff are all throwing everything into this campaign. Bluey [McClennan] is very passionate."

McClennan was not panicked on Saturday night when Australia scored four times in the 10 minutes before halftime to level at 18-all.

"We felt that when we had an even share of possession we were the better team," he said.

Timana Tahu and Willie Mason have been ruled out of the Australian team with injuries.