League: Exiled Solomona emerges from wilderness

Resurrected Kiwis' rugby league second rower David Solomona cherishes his family time back in New Zealand but couldn't be happier at the prospect of returning to England without the wife and kids -- and sooner than expected.

Usually at this time of year Solomona, Utu and their girls Naomi and Faith are kicking back with loved ones in Auckland.

This time round an old school mate's wedding was also on the agenda before Solomona headed back to Wakefield Trinity on New Year's Eve for another English Super League pre-season.

However, new Kiwis coach Brian McClennan turned the start of Solomona's vacation into a work trip last weekend when he ended the off-loading second rower's international exile with selection in his 21-man squad for Saturday's Tri-Nations opener against Australia.

And, with the last of his six tests coming against France back in 2002, Solomona is hopeful his recall heralds an extended stay out of the test football wilderness.

If he impresses against the world champion Kangaroos at Telstra Stadium and then in Auckland next Friday chances are he will be back in the north of England for tests against Great Britain.

That is a scenario the former Sydney Roosters and Parramatta impact player never dreamed possible after he was overlooked for Daniel Anderson's touring party last year.

Solomona had good reason to think his test career was past the point of no return when he was not among the English-based reinforcements added by Anderson -- his former assistant coach at the Eels in 2001 -- when the Kiwis arrived in England after a 16-16 draw with Australia in Auckland.

"I really thought I was a chance last year," Solomona said, back on familiar territory at Parramatta Stadium -- the Kiwis' training base.

"My team (Wakefield) got in the finals and I was picked in the (Super League) dream team.

"In England I was rated one of the top second rowers then when New Zealand picked other guys it was tough to take although there was no shame in missing out to guys like Logan."

Former New Zealand Warrior Logan Swann, then of Bradford, was given the nod and Solomona was resigned to never donning the black shirt again, particularly after Wakefield reverted to type and finished a struggling 10th this season.

"It's not so hard coming back to play for the Kiwis if you're in one of the top four teams.

"If you're in those you get pretty good exposure, you're playing in the finals and the selectors get to see you," Solomona said of his mates at the likes of Bradford, Leeds, St Helens and Warrington.

"Wakefield finished fourth last year but this year was tough and you never hear a lot about about the Kiwis playing in the smaller teams even though they're playing well. "

Fortunately the Kiwis' brains trust were keeping tabs on Solomona and gave him a heads-up that he was in calculations part way through the season if he maintained his standards.

"I got a call to say 'keep it up' but it's something I never really expected.

"I hoped in the back of my head I'd get a chance but it's hard trying to get back into the circle. I did it the hard way from Wakefield."

Despite playing for a struggling club, the 27-year-old is determined to tough it out and recently re-signed through to the end of 2008.

"I'm more than satisfied there and we're looking forward to new players like Monty (Betham) joining the club," he said.

Betham left the Warriors at the end of the season and will soon feel at home among some old clubmates and fellow Kiwis.

"We pretty much hang around with Kiwis over there," Solomona said.

"I live 10 minutes from Ali (Lauiti'iti) and 15 from Shontayne (Hape) and Lesley (Vainikolo)."

Solomona will learn later today if he survives the cut when the squad is trimmed to the match 17 but given Tony Puletua has not played for Penrith since April after suffering a pectoral muscle injury and Wairangi Koopu only arrived in camp last night he should at least be a contender for the bench.

- NZPA