Lance Hohaia is tipped to return to the Kiwis against England at Warrington this weekend, offering an option at halfback for the next Tri-Nations game against Great Britain in a fortnight. The Kiwis were to name their squad overnight.
Second-rower David Solomona was yesterday suspended for one game for the
tackle he put on Lions prop Stuart Fielden, and is out of this weekend's game.
The Kiwis have added Joe Vagana, Willie Poching, Robbie Paul and Henry Fa'afili to their squad for the England game so you would expect those four to play. Also likely are Tony Puletua and Hohaia plus Shontayne Hape. Stacey Jones has indicated he will take no further part in the series so Paul must be a chance to come into the squad.
The Australians have named Tiger Scott Prince as halfback after Andrew Johns' withdrawal through injury, with Warriors captain Steve Price back to start at prop against Great Britain this weekend. Great Britain were again delaying the naming of their side but coach Brian Noble foreshadowed changes.
Sky will show the Australia-Great Britain game but not the Kiwis and England. The New Zealand Rugby League is disappointed but after selling television rights, has no say in what is shown.
There is also disappointment that the Tri-Nations is not available on free-to-air TV. It is up to the pay broadcaster to negotiate the sale to free-to-air. A spokesman said if free-to-air cover was to be guaranteed as part of the package, that might diminish the financial return to the league because the pay broadcaster would not want to pay so much.
