League: Eight Warriors in running for Kiwi jerseys

By PETER JESSUP


The Kiwi selectors have picked eight Warriors among those to train on with hopes for a New Zealand jersey against Australia next month.

But the big bolter will be named this weekend, providing Marcus Perenara performs well in the Bartercard Cup final.

Perenara, highly rated by former Warriors and present Kiwis coach Daniel Anderson but cut from the club after Anderson's mid-season departure, offers solutions at hooker or halfback.

He has played five games in the Bartercard Cup competition since promising early-season performances for the Warriors after injuring his shoulder and requiring reconstruction surgery.

On Sunday, Perenara, younger brother of 2001 Kiwi Henry and son of Marist Richmond coach Bernie, will play at lock against Mt Albert in the national provincial grand final at Ericsson Stadium.

Bernie rates another son, Bernard, as the better halfback.

Marcus, 18, was still finding his feet after the shoulder operation and needed match-play, his father said. "He'll be ready in a month if they want him."

Marcus was signed to a three-year deal at the Warriors, but they cut him after Anderson left and he and brother Henry, demoted by the Dragons to premier league after injury, have since agreed terms with Parramatta.

There were few surprises among the 13 NRL players named yesterday as prospects for the test at North Harbour on October 16 and the rest of the Tri-Nations series in England.

Wing Francis Meli was chosen on background rather than form and he and Clinton Toopi have perhaps benefitted from the belief they will regain form behind a forward pack that delivers ground-gain.

Toopi has been subject to some to-ing and fro-ing between the NZRL and Warriors management as he awaits surgery to correct a wrist problem.

He can have the operation this week and be ready for the Australia game, and with Toopi keen to play, that looks likely.

Sharks bench forward Andrew Lomu was perhaps the unlucky one, with Warriors prop Iafeta Paleaaesina chosen ahead of him after good end-of-season performances.

Named as Kiwi prospects were Knights centre George Carmont, who will be lucky to go further, and Wests Tigers centre Dene Halatau, who looks a better prospect.

Junior Kiwi Bronson Harrison is definitely in the frame, but probably not this year.

Sharks centre Nigel Vagana, Eels forward and former Kiwi captain Nathan Cayless and replacement skipper Wiki are certainties for the test and the tour.

Of the eight Warriors, Toopi, fullback Brent Webb and halfback Thomas Leuluai are sure of spots in the tests, and Meli, Paleaaesina, the Anderson brothers, Louis and Vinnie, and the club's player of the year, Wairangi Koopu, will be competing for places in the wider 24-man squad for England.

In the early choices, the selectors have gone for a combination of youthful promise and experience, and presuming that mindset remains through the club playoff series in Australia and England, the bolters for the squad will be Broncos wing Gary Tupou and Bulldogs bench forward Roy Asotasi.

Wiki expressed confidence in the selectors and in the talent available.

"Whoever they pick, we will have an awesome team because the New Zealanders are shining in the [NRL] competition."

He rated the Bulldogs' Sonny Bill Williams as the find of the year.

Further players will be added to the train-on squad as the finals progress. The team for the test will be named on October 10. Seven days later, England-based players will be added to the tour squad.


Kiwi contenders

Kiwis train-on squad from NRL teams not involved in finals: Ruben Wiki (Canberra), George Carmont (Knights), Bronson Harrison and Dene Halatau (Wests), Nathan Cayless (Eels), Clinton Toopi, Francis Meli, Brent Webb, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Louis and Vinnie Anderson, Wairangi Koopu, Thomas Leuluai.

Those sure to be added from finals teams: Gary Tupou (Broncos), Paul Rauhihi and David Faiumu (Cowboys), Jason Cayless (Roosters), David Kidwell and Alex Chan (Storm), Matt Utai, Sonny Bill Williams, Roy Asotasi, Jamaal Lolesi (Bulldogs), and Joe Galuvao, Tony Puletua, Frank Pritchard and Paul Whatuira (Panthers).

English-based players in consideration: Robbie Paul, Shontayne Hape, Lesley Vainikolo, Joe Vagana, Logan Swann (Bulls), Ali Lauitiiti (Leeds), Willie Talau (Saints), Motu Tony (Castleford) and David Solomona (Wakefield).