Rugby League: Struggling Jones sidesteps test side

By PETER JESSUP

The Kiwis will face Australia without Stacey Jones, after the out-of-touch halfback yesterday responded to hard questions from his coaches and ruled himself out of Friday night's test.

That wasn't the only sensation as the Kiwi selectors named their team. Broncos fullback Karmichael Hunt, chosen to start as the youngest-ever Kiwi, rejected the advance, saying he wanted to play State of Origin then for Australia.

The New Zealand Rugby League deliberately delayed any approach to Hunt ahead of selection to avoid a transtasman battle with Broncos and Australian coach Wayne Bennett. It didn't want him to come under pressure to choose, but yesterday that came back to bite with Hunt responding to the call by saying he wanted to talk to his parents and late in the day pulling out. His replacement is Eels centre David Vaealiki.

More drama may come, with concern high that captain Ruben Wiki will be suspended out of the game in Newcastle after he was put on report for a high tackle on Sharks prop Jason Stevens in the 52nd minute of the Raiders' loss on Saturday night.

Panthers second rower Joe Galuvao was reported yesterday for going high on Dragons five-eighths Trent Barrett, but that hit looked less likely to attract judiciary attention.

Should Wiki be cited today, his place at lock will go to Stephen Kearney, whose 45th test will bring him within one of Gary Freeman's record. Penrith's Sydney-born Frank Pritchard, 20, will come on to the bench.

Following the Warriors' loss to the Bulldogs on Friday night, Jones was asked by the club and national team coaches Daniel Anderson and Tony Kemp if he felt he could contribute in the test. The halfback came back with a brave decision early yesterday to withdraw, prompting the call-up of Thomas Leuluai for his second test.

Pritchard's New Zealand parentage became known during checks of the NRL by the NZRL and he and the Bulldogs' Sonny Bill Williams, 18, along with Hunt, were form selection bolters.

Pritchard has only eight NRL games behind him, Williams has five and last year's debutant Leuluai 13.

It's a risky bet that will have the Australians rubbing their hands in anticipation of forcing errors and taking advantage of their greater experience.

Bennett was non-committal before Hunt's last-minute decision yesterday whether he thought the teenager was up to it. "He's got plenty of ability for where he's at." But of the international scene: "We'll have to see."

Williams' coach, Steve Folkes, made it plain he thought test selection was too early.

"He still has a lot of learning to do and we have confidence in him doing that over time. I think it would be a little unwise. I am not saying he wouldn't go out and do a good job but they have plenty of good players in front of him at present."

Anderson, who left the selection to Kemp, Brian McClennan and Brent Todd, said he was comfortable with the side and had no concern about the debutants. "It's like Thomas Leuluai last year, if you're good enough you're old enough."

There was enough international experience around the new boys to steady them.

He had no worries about Jason Cayless despite him missing the last four NRL rounds, including yesterday's Roosters-Newcastle match, with a knee injury.

If Wiki is on the list of offenders issued by the NRL after Greg McCullum reviews the tapes today, the NZRL will ask his club to back a not-guilty plea or seek to downgrade the charge so he is not banned. It will also seek a hearing tonight instead of the routine Tuesday.

Anderson and Kemp spoke to Jones after the Bulldogs game, where the halfback was hauled off 15 minutes from time and the Warriors sparked to score two late tries.

"The selectors showed faith in him, he was given the opportunity to play in the test but felt that his form did not warrant selection and the team would perform better without him, given his current form."

Anderson said Jones had been a magnificent performer in 34 tests since 1995 and could play himself back into the frame before the Tri-Nations in October/November.

Jones' decision would not affect his position at the Warriors. "I'm not thinking about the Warriors this week, I'm thinking about the Kiwis."

The teams

KIWIS: David Vaealiki, Lesley Vainikolo, Nigel Vagana, Clinton Toopi, Francis Meli, Sione Faumuina, Thomas Leuluai, Jason Cayless, Robbie Paul, Nathan Cayless, Tony Puletua, Joe Galuvao, Ruben Wiki (c). Interchange: Jerry Seuseu, Sonny Bill Williams, Paul Whatuira, Stephen Kearney, Frank Pritchard 18th man.

AUSTRALIA: Anthony Minichiello, Timana Tahu, Matt Gidley, Brent Tate, Michael De Vere, Darren Lockyer (c), Craig Gower, Shaun Timmins, Nathan Hindmarsh, Petero Civoniceva, Joel Clinton, Danny Buderus, Shane Webcke. Interchange: Shaun Berrigan, Michael Crocker, Trent Waterhouse, Luke Bailey.

The Kiwi test debutantes

SONNY BILL WILLIAMS

Born September 3, 1985, in Auckland

* The 191cm, 102kg lock has been playing centre for the Canterbury Bulldogs, and has had five games since his debut in round one.

FRANK PRITCHARD

Born November 11, 1983, in Sydney

* The 187cm, 106kg lock made his Penrith junior debut in the middle of last year. He had seven games last season and has had one so far this year.

PAUL WHATUIRA

* Is also on test debut after being attached to the squad for the October 2003 international.