League: Solomona and Tony perk up the Kiwis

Sharks prop Hutch Maiava is the latest to withdraw from the New Zealand league squad with a shoulder injury, but Kiwis coach Brian McClennan's spirits have been boosted by the arrival in Auckland of David Solomona and Motu Tony.

The British-based pair have joined the Warriors training in Auckland and Solomona has impressed with his ability to off-load, a feature the Kiwis are sure to look to in their game plan because they do not have the field-kicking game or the wide pass of Andrew Johns and Trent Barrett, nor the pace of the Aussie threequarters.

Sharks centre Nigel Vagana shapes as the likely five-eighth, his experience invaluable in settling what will be a revamped side with some new faces and some mid-career players like Solomona and Tony returning to the team.

Vagana was in the No 6 jersey when the Kiwis last beat the Kangaroos at North Harbour Stadium in 2003 and filled in there for the Sharks this year when Adam Dykes was injured. He offers speed and guile with the ball and will take some pressure off Stacey Jones, who is sure to be the Kangaroos' key target.

Lance Hohaia and David Faiumu appear to be in competition for the hooking spot. Despite all the withdrawals, the Kiwis side for the Tri-Nations may have the most experienced, in-form and first-choice players in the one jersey that they have fielded for some years.

There are no worries up front, with Ruben Wiki likely to be in the back row despite performing as one of the NRL's best props for the Warriors. Roy Asotasi was arguably the most damaging prop in the NRL, Paul Rauhihi is also a contender and Eels captain Nathan Cayless came back to his best form towards the end of the season. Should any of those suffer injury, Iafeta Palea'aesina is a capable replacement.

In the second row, Tony Puletua and Frank Pritchard offer damaging line-breaks and off-loads in the middle, and that is where the Kiwis will have to make impact against Australia. Regular second-rower Joe Galuvao may find himself in the NZ A side simply because of the class ahead of him.

The centres should be Tigers grand final winner Paul Whatuira and Roosters Junior Kiwi Iosaia Soliola. Clinton Toopi is still recognised as a player of world class but a poor Warriors season is likely to cost him.

The wings offer some conjecture: Will selectors Darrell Williams, Daryl Halligan, Tony Iro and the coach go with the Sharks No 2, Luke Covell, who offers good defence and a goal-kicking accuracy rate just under 80 per cent but is rated one of the slowest flank players in the NRL? Will they cap giant Warrior Manu Vatuvai, who offers power of the type Lesley Vainikolo delivers but brings handling errors? Also in the frame are the Storm's teenager, Jake Webster and Brisbane's Tame Tupou, who has been overshadowed by Junior Kangaroo Leon Bott this season.

The selectors will name a 20-man Kiwis squad tomorrow from the 40 under consideration for the national side and NZ 'A', with the final 17 announced on Tuesday. The 'A' side, too, is almost settled and players will be told of their involvement at the weekend.

Possible team

Brent Webb, Luke Covell, Iosaia Soliola, Paul Whatuira, Manu Vatuvai, Nigel Vagana, Stacey Jones (vc), Roy Asotasi, David Faiumu, Paul Rauhihi, Frank Pritchard, Tony Puletua, Ruben Wiki (c); interchange Nathan Cayless, David Kidwell, Lance Hohaia, Wairangi Koopu.