45-Man Train-on Squad for Four Nations

MEDIA RELEASE|SEPTEMBER 10, 2009

National Selectors Name 45-Man Train-on Squad for Four Nations

Auckland, New Zealand, September 10, 2009 – World Cup-winning Kiwi players dominated a 45-man train-on squad named ahead of the 2009 Four Nations rugby league tournament in England and France in October-November.

The Kiwis will prepare for their campaign with a one-off test against Tonga in Rotorua on October 14 before flying out to London for their first Four Nations clash against Australia on October 24.

In announcing their wider squad, national selectors Howie Tamati (convener), Tony Kemp, Darrell Williams and Pirtek Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney have included 20 of the 24-man squad that carried New Zealand to World Cup glory in last year’s final against Australia.

The only players not selected are World Cup captain Nathan Cayless, now retired from international football, Sika Manu, Evarn Tuimavave and David Kidwell. Manu is sidelined with a broken leg, Tuimavave had only just returned from a long injury lay-off when the squad was named and Kidwell finished South Sydney’s season playing in the New South Wales Cup.

Since the squad was named South Sydney prop Roy Asotasi, who also missed the World Cup last year, has been ruled out of the Four Nations.

Four others players who were ruled out of the World Cup with injury are all in the train-on group – Jeff Lima (Melbourne), Frank Pritchard (Penrith), Iosia Soliola (Sydney Roosters) and Brent Webb (Leeds).

Among others named are a number of players who last played for the Kiwis in the end of seasons tests in 2007 – Louis Anderson (Warrington), Luke Covell (Cronulla), Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Sydney Roosters), Fuifui Moimoi (Parramatta), Ben Roberts (Bulldogs), Chase Stanley (St George Illawarra) and Taniela Tuiaki (Wests Tigers). English Super League clubs provide three players in Anderson, Webb and World Cup winner Thomas Leuluai (Wigan).

While 32 of the squad have test experience, the other 13 include some of the most promising New Zealand-eligible players in the NRL as well as more established first graders who have won recognition.

“The squad we’ve named reinforces the quality and depth of players we have to choose from when looking to select New Zealand teams these days. It’s getting better all the time,” said Kearney.

“We’ve named 45 players but there are plenty with good claims that haven’t been included. That’s a sign of the competition we now have for spots and that has to be good for our game.

“It’s encouraging for us that so many players are performing well and putting their names in front of the selectors.

“There’s a lot of football to be played before we can be sure what team we will finally have for the Four Nations but we believe we’ll have a competitive squad to go to Europe.”

Kearney confirmed the Kiwis would prepare for their Four Nations campaign by assembling in Auckland in early October before spending six days in camp in Rotorua for a one-off Test against Tonga on Wednesday, October 14. New Zealand also had an international against the Tongans in their preparation for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.

While Kearney is excited about the make-up of the train-on squad so is his fellow selector Kemp, the NZRL’s national high performance director.

“The selection of a player like Kieran Foran form Manly shows there are pathways into our national teams for New Zealand-eligible players living in Australia,” he said.

“We’re committed to giving players like Kieran ever opportunity to represent their country.

“It’s also hugely encouraging for us that four of the players included were part of the Junior Kiwis’ win over the Junior Kangaroos in Wellington in 2007 – Chase Stanley, Alex Glenn (New Zealand’s 18th man for this year’s Anzac Test in Brisbane), Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Eddy Pettybourne.

“And another three Kevin Locke, Ben Matulino and Russell Packer are all local products, examples of what can be achieved by coming through the system here.

“Those three and others included highlight the value of the NYC which is doing so much to develop first-grade players.”

Apart from Foran, Glenn, Locke, Matulino, Pettybourne and Packer, other promising players named who are yet to play for the Kiwis are Bulldogs winger Bryson Goodwin, Roosters front rower Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Newcastle centre Junior Sau, Newcastle back rower Zeb Taia, South Sydney winger Fetuli Talanoa, Manly back rower Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Brisbane winger Antonio Winterstein. Waerea-Hargreaves, born in Rotorua, has a rugby union background but was picked up by the Sea Eagles last season.

Taia’s eligibility is being confirmed by the Rugby League International Federation. Of Cook Islands heritage, he travels on a New Zealand passport.

Kearney said after the Rotorua Test against Tonga, the touring party would travel to London for the first of the Kiwis’ Four Nations internationals against Australia in London on October 24. The next match against France has been confirmed in Toulouse on October 31 before the Kiwis return to the United Kingdom to meet England at Huddersfield on November 7. The final between the top two teams will be played at Elland Road in Leeds on November 14.

2009 KIWIS – SCHEDULE

Wednesday, October 14 v Tonga International Stadium,
(One-off Test) Rotorua

Saturday, October 24 v Australia Twickenham Stoop,
(Gillette Four Nations) London

Saturday, October 31 v France Toulouse
(Gillette Four Nations)

Saturday, November 7 v England Galpharm Stadium,
(Gillette Four Nations) Huddersfield

Saturday, November 14 Final Elland Road,
(Gillette Four Nations) Leeds

2009 PIRTEK KIWIS – TRAIN-ON SQUAD

Louis Anderson (Warrington), Roy Asotasi (South Sydney), Adam Blair (Melbourne), Luke Covell (Cronulla), Greg Eastwood (Bulldogs), David Fa’alogo (South Sydney), Nathan Fien (St George Illawarra), Kieran Foran (Manly), Alex Glenn (Brisbane), Bryson Goodwin (Bulldogs), Dene Halatau (Wests Tigers), Bronson Harrison (Canberra), Lance Hohaia (Warriors), Krisnan Inu (Parramatta), Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Sydney Roosters), Thomas Leuluai (Wigan), Jeff Lima (Melbourne), Kevin Locke (Warriors), Issac Luke (South Sydney), Simon Mannering (Warriors), Benji Marshall (Wests Tigers), Steve Matai (Manly), Ben Matulino (Warriors), Fuifui Moimoi (Parramatta), Jason Nightingale (St George Illawarra), Frank-Paul Nuuausala (Sydney Roosters), Russell Packer (Warriors), Sam Perrett (Sydney Roosters), Eddy Pettybourne (South Sydney), Frank Pritchard (Penrith), Sam Rapira (Warriors), Ben Roberts (Bulldogs), Jerome Ropati (Warriors), Setaimata Sa (Sydney Roosters), Junior Sau (Newcastle), Jeremy Smith (St George Illawarra), Iosia Soliola (Sydney Roosters), Chase Stanley (St George Illawarra), Zeb Taia (Newcastle), Fetuli Talanoa (South Sydney), Taniela Tuiaki (Wests Tigers), Manu Vatuvei (Warriors), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Manly), Brent Webb (Leeds), Antonio Winterstein (Brisbane).

ENDS

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