League: Cowboys say no to Faiumu's Kiwi hopes

By PETER JESSUP and NZPA

Cowboy David Faiumu's elevation to the Kiwis Tri-Nations squad has been spiked by his club.

Faiumu was told a shoulder reconstruction booked for October 7 was set in stone and he would be unable to join team-mate Paul Rauhihi in the lead up to the October 16 transtasman test.

"He is ruled out, there will be plenty of time for that stuff later," said Cowboys football manager Peter Parr.

Former Kiwis player and 2004 selector Daryl Halligan has approached five-eighth Johnathan Thurston from his old club the Bulldogs to offer him a chance with the New Zealand national team.

Thurston qualifies for the Kiwis and Kangaroos because his father is a New Zealander.

The 21-year-old was Junior Kangaroos captain is yet to make up his mind.

Meanwhile the NZRL has added more players from teams knocked out of the NRL or Super League finals to the Kiwis' train-on squad for the Tri-Nations series next month.

There are four Panthers, Paul Whatuira, Joe Galuvao, Tony Puletua and Frank Pritchard; two Cowboys, Paul Rauhihi and 2000/2001 Junior Kiwi David Faiumu; one Rooster, Jason Cayless; Castleford's Motu Tony; and St Helens' Willie Talau.