Rugby League: Kiwi mid-fielders stronger than Australia's best

By PETER JESSUP

The Kiwis could hold an advantage in the centres and second and back row when the sides are named tomorrow for the Anzac test in Newcastle on Friday night.

The black-and-whites will stick with Penrith partners Joe Galuvao and Tony Puletua in jerseys 11 and 12, and Ruben Wiki - in the best form of his long career - is sure to be lock and captain.

In mid-field, Clinton Toopi and Nigel Vagana promise more attacking strike-power than any of the Aussie possibles.

These include Matt Gidley, who has been in ordinary form, Brent Tate, who is struggling after shoulder injury, the erratic Justin Hodges and the ageing Ryan Girdler.

They may use in-form Bronco Shaun Berrigan, but there are questions over whether he is an international.

At prop, the match-ups even out.

Jerry Seuseu and Nathan Cayless will provide lots of Kiwi go-forward.

For Australia, the drive will come from Shane Webcke, who is a certain starter, and Luke Bailey or Joel Clinton. The Dragons-Penrith game on Sunday is likely to decide who starts and who sits on the bench.

Danny Budrus will go 80 minutes for the Kangaroos, but the only man in the frame for the Kiwis is Tevita Latu.

He has worried Aussie defences in the NRL, but remains short of breath after a bout of tuberculosis.

The necessity of rotating him more frequently than might be desired probably means no risks will be taken with Jason Cayless, also sure to be struggling for breath after returning from knee injury, despite the damage he did in October last year.

Paul Rauhihi, from the Cowboys, is the likely interchange leader.

The Kiwis will have Stacey Jones at halfback and perhaps the test is what he needs to rediscover his spark.

The Aussies continue to debate the merits of halves pairings. Brett Kimmorley is favoured with Trent Barrett, but there is a big push to keep captain Darren Lockyer at five-eighth with the NRL's form halfback, Craig Gower.


Robbie Paul's running and kicking game from five-eighth will take pressure from Jones. He can do the dummy-half work, and Sione Faumuina can come from the bench as five-eighth when Latu is rested.

Faumuina also offers injury cover from hooker to halfback and fullback and is a goal-kicking option.

On the wings, New Zealand will have size and power in Francis Meli and Lesley Vainikolo.

They should out-size their Aussie opposites, likely to be Matt Sing and Michael De Vere who will earn his place partly as a goal-kicker.

The Kiwis fullback should be David Vaealiki, in-form in the Eels centres but a regular at cover at the back. He is strong on kick-return and safe under the bomb.

The Aussies are likely to pick the competition's form fullback, Anthony Minichiello.

The Kiwis bench is likely to have three forwards - Rauhihi and either Ali Lauitiiti or Epalahame Lauaki as bolter after four NRL games. Other interchange players will be Faumuina and either Motu Tony or Paul Whatuira.

Tony is to play Queensland Cup for Toowoomba this weekend after three weeks out with a knee tear.

Whatuira has been in good form but played the past two weeks in reserve grade after Girdler's return from pleurisy.

One Kiwi player who could miss is former captain Stephen Kearney. His form is good but his speed is not improving as he approaches 32.

If he is overlooked, his international career will stop at 44 tests, two short of Gary Freeman's record.

Selector and assistant coach Tony Kemp felt a preparation away from the bright lights of Sydney - the team is in coastal Terrigal this week - would help the Kiwis focus.

"Team spirit is vitally important to New Zealand sides. If anything, it might be good playing at Newcastle - we only have to worry about us."

POSSIBLE SIDES

Kiwis: David Vaealiki, Francis Meli, Clinton Toopi, Nigel Vagana, Lesley Vainikolo, Robbie Paul, Stacey Jones, Jerry Seuseu, Tevita Latu, Nathan Cayless, Joe Galuvao, Tony Puletua, Ruben Wiki (c); interchange Paul Rauhihi, Epalahame Lauaki or Ali Lauitiiti, Sione Faumuina, Motu Tony or Paul Whatuira.

Kangaroos: Anthony Minichiello, Michael De Vere, Brent Tate, Matt Gidley, Matt Sing, Darren Lockyer (c), Craig Gower, Shane Webcke, Danny Buderim, Luke Bailey, Ben Kennedy, Bryan Fletcher, Shaun Timmins; interchange Petero Civoniceva, Joel Clinton, Trent Waterhouse, Luke Lewis or Shaun Berrigan.