League: Coaching team sure to bring best out of Kiwis

Under Brian McClennan and with Graeme Norton as technical adviser, the Kiwis can be expected to play to their strengths and deliver a wide-open game of slick passing.

The selectors and coaches are blessed with the option of some of the best ground-gainers in the competition.

The initial train-on squad for the team to play the first two Tri-Nations games against Australia in Sydney and then at Ericsson Stadium will be named on October 3, the day after the NRL grandfinal.

Although there remains confusion over the availability of players because of injury, surgery and other matters, the Kiwis will field a strong team here and in England.

The problem for McClennan is that he will have to use two teams: One for the games Downunder where Stacey Jones will be halfback, Benji Marshall might be five-eighths and Nathan Cayless will play somewhere in the pack; and a second in England where Ali Lauitiiti might be available, Richard Swain could come in as hooker, Motu Tony would be a useful bench-man and other Kiwis including Willie Talau, Vinnie Anderson, Henry Fa'afili, Thomas Leuluai, David Solomona and David Vaealiki come into the frame.

So the construction of the pack and the leadership there become crucial issues.

The Kiwis are lucky to have Ruben Wiki, a captain whom the team regard in the highest terms.

There are a number of other propping options: Newcastle's Craig Smith has a new lease of life after coming out of retirement aged 33; Paul Rauhihi at the Cowboys is likely. One of the best frontrowers in the game has been the Bulldogs' Roy Asotasi. The Sharks' Hutch Maiava was a damaging interchange player, as was Warrior Iafeta Paleaaesina.

Tony Puletua will be in the second row, despite his three months out with injury. Puletua is raring to go after returning to fitness. Given the impact he has in making ground on tackles two, three and four and his ability to offload, he is a certainty to join the squad.

His Panthers teammates Joe Galuvao and Frank Pritchard are second-row possibilities as is Warrior Wairangi Koopu, the Storm's David Kidwell and Cayless.

Sonny Bill Williams would be first man named, at lock, if he were fit. That remains in doubt, as the Bulldogs want him to rest and recuperate. But until a few weeks ago and while they were still in playoff contention the word went out that he would return should the Dogs make the finals. If he's not there, Kidwell looms as a good defender with back-up smarts on attack.

Hooking options include Dene Halatau from the Tigers and Warrior Louis Anderson. Both have done the job before. Another option is Lance Hohaia, who would have to play after a long injury-enforced break.

Former Junior Kiwi David Faiumu has been making smart dummy-half plays for the Cowboys and is sure to be considered.

Jones is a certainty at halfback for the tests in Sydney and Ericsson. In England that job will go to Hohaia, Tony or perhaps Halatau unless Thomas Leuluai has recovered from a broken bone in his foot.

If Marshall requires shoulder surgery and is ruled out of the Tri-Nations, Sharks five-eighth stand-in Nigel Vagana is the likely number six.

Paul Whatuira's name will be high on the list of possible centres after good play for the Tigers. Jamaal Lolesi is an option. Clinton Toopi is a class player who was sadly out of form in a poorly-performing team at the Warriors.

The wings may bring some surprises, with Storm teenager Jake Webster eligible through his parentage, as is the Broncos' Leon Bott. Matt Utai will be considered if fit. The Roosters' former Junior Kiwi Iosaia Soliola is sure to be considered at centre or on the wing.

Brent Webb is the sole easy option at fullback and it is to be hoped he has recovered from the back problem that impacted on his Warriors' season.

A Kiwis bench will include decent impact players, with Maiava, Asotasi or Cayless all frontrowers with speed and Frank Pritchard, Halatau or Faiumu able to come on and profit from that.

Norton was coach of the New Zealand team that won the world nines tournament the last time one was held. His teams, which have won national titles, have always played a wide, draw-and-pass game. So have McClennan's and he too has won several national titles using an open game plan.

Tomorrow's Bartercard Cup final will give a good indication of the standard McClennan game plan.

In the build-up to his fourth national rugby league grandfinal he made it clear the Lions would do what they have always done and play their fittest team so they can play "on top of the ground", running the ball, chancing their arm and playing with confidence, scoring long-range tries, taking the heart from the opposition with them.

McClennan's coaching style has been to empower the players, tell them what's required and make them think about what they are responsible for. Let the team down and they get dropped down. The Mt Albert club has teams in the reserve grade grandfinal and its Fox Memorial team made the playoffs too - a measure of club depth.

Should the Kiwis ever be able to put their best team on the park they would be serious contenders for the title.

For that to happen Rupert Murdoch and News Ltd will have to figure that there is more money in internationals than in club football. Then a window would be cleared for the Tri Nations, the club seasons in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres shortened.