Rugby League: Talau gets No 6 job for Kiwis

By PETER JESSUP

Willie Talau was the surprise choice for the Kiwis to play Australia on Friday night, with the selectors plucking the 27-year-old with 11 tests at centre from NRL reserve grade after his return from a broken ankle.

Talau's selection and the omission of the competition's form player Penrith second rower Joe Galuvao has signalled two things: one, coach Daniel Anderson did not want to risk taking any new boys into this one-off test, where the Kiwis go in cold against a Kangaroos side coming out of State of Origin and; two, the Kiwis are going out to win with size.

Man-for-man the Kiwis will be bigger and heavier.

Captain is veteran Ruben Wiki, age 30, with 37 tests since his debut in 1994, whose career-best form is a big reason for the Raiders' success this season.

Unlucky to miss out, on form, are Warriors lock Sione Faumuina and former Warrior Galuvao who has found his feet along with Tony Puletua at the Panthers. The latter made his debut in 1998 and returns after missing 2001 and last year.

Galuvao and Faumuina will stay in camp with the Kiwis this week as the team builds for the future, with one more test against Australia this year then a tri-series with Britain.

The ratio of eight Warriors to nine from other clubs is around average for recent seasons.

Talau's selection came down to his performance in the Bulldogs' reserve grade side's curtainraiser against the Sharks ahead of the Warriors' 31-24 win over the top side.

He offers a crashing attack that busts holes in the tightest defence and close to the line is unstoppable, hurting tackles when run at, a ground kicking game but no high or long kicking ability.

Henry Fa'afili will stay in Sydney in case Francis Meli is suspended out of the game, with Faumuina or Galuvao cover for Lauiti'iti.

The other Warriors were flying home yesterday to train under former Kiwi hooker Duane Mann.

Kiwis: David Vaealiki (Eels), Matt Utai, Nigel Vagana (Bulldogs), Clinton Toopi, Francis Meli, Stacey Jones (Warriors), Willie Talau (Bulldogs), Jerry Seuseu (Warriors), Richard Swain (Broncos), Stephen Kearney (Storm), Ruben Wiki (Raiders), Tony Puletua (Panthers), Logan Swann (Warriors); interchange Paul Rauhihi (Cowboys), Ali Lauiti'iti, Awen Guttenbeil, Monty Betham (Warriors).

Australia: Darren Lockyer (Brisbane), Matt Sing (North Queensland), Brent Tate (Brisbane), Jamie Lyons (Parramatta), Anthony Minichiello (Sydney Roosters), Shaun Timmins (St George Illawarra), Andrew Johns (captain, Newcastle), Luke Ricketson (Sydney Roosters), Dane Carlaw (Brisbane), Gorden Tallis (Brisbane), Shane Webcke (Brisbane), Danny Buderus (Newcastle), Luke Bailey (St George Illawarra). Interchange: Bryan Fletcher (Souths), Craig Wing (Sydney Roosters), Willie Mason (Bulldogs), Petero Civoniceva (Brisbane).