Internationals Big three out of Anzac test

[*Kimmy*_old]

02 April 2006
By NEIL REID

At least three heroes from the Kiwis' Tri-series triumph will be forced out of the Anzac test by their UK Super League clubs.

Sunday News can reveal the Brian McClennan-coached team will definitely be without Ali Lauitiiti, Paul Rauhihi and Iafeta Paleaaesina.

Robbie Paul - a possibility to replace injured halfback Stacey Jones - is another confirmed no-show for the May 5 showdown against the Kangaroos.

Their scratching follows the Super League schedule meaning their clubs play six days before the Brisbane test.

And McClennan has given up hope of trying to get them - something which would force them out of two Super League games.

"Missing two games is a lot for the clubs, who pay the wages, to deal with," McClennan told Sunday News. "Their clubs just won't let them go.

"If they play on the Saturday, they wouldn't arrive in Australia until the Monday and it wouldn't work. Especially when you consider this is the biggest test they'll be involved in."

Those English-based players still in Anzac test contention include David Solomona, Shontaye Hape, Lesley Vainikolo and Jason Cayless.

Their respective clubs play seven days before the May 5 showdown - a repeat of the 2005 Tri-series final which the Kiwis won 24-0.

"If players play on the Friday night they could get out here and only miss the one game," McClennan said. "It is just the matter of those clubs agreeing that they could get by without their Kiwi players for one game.

"We are working on all avenues there to give ourselves a broader base to pick from."

Man im so gutted :cry:
I hope we can win without them!!

 

[edguy_old]

dont worry DTG s .. we can beat the aussies without the esl players...

 

[edguy_old]

sorry that GTD s lol :wink:

 

[*Kimmy*_old]

Lol why must you insist on putting GTD as DTG lol

 

[commonsense_old]

i dont think those 3 are big loses to be honest.

besides feka the rest of them are pretty replaceable.

 

[AmeriKiwi_old]

Lol why must you insist on putting GTD as DTG lol

Yeah, what`s wrong with you? Duh... Everybody knows it`s TGD!!

 

[Swanley_old]

Feka and Robbie would not make the 18 anyway.

Cayless, Solomona, Hape and the Volcano are much more important.

Rahihi is a blow.

 

[*Kimmy*_old]

*sigh*

I wish this test would hurry up!! i cant wait lol

 

[warriors_ballboy_CEO_old]

im sure i read somewhere the the ESL wont release any player's to play for the Kiwi's test

 

[*Kimmy*_old]

Ya cant blame them really, i mean they pay their wages to play...and as bluey said...2 games is alot for a club.

As much as it sucks *sigh*

 

[tmaster_old]

I think the four guys who are available would all struggle to make the team considering it's a one off test.

We are deep enough in the front row down to cancel out Jason Cayless (Wiki, Asotasi, N. Cayless, Smith, Maiava)

Vatuvei is their for Vainakolo. Robbie Paul seems to be past it and David Faiumu is the obvious choice for me at hooker.

Rauhihi, Ali and Solomona are losses but we should be right up front barring injuries and suspensions due to the fact that our deepest position is probably in the back row. Plus the centres are our second deepest position so with all of them available in the NRL I would not have selected Hape anyway.

It would be nice to have the choice to pick these players because they are quality, but because of the travel, time and the opposition I think we have enoough down here.

 

[madbaz_old]

This from Rugby League Week

Look out Ricky, here comes the cavalry.

Robbie Paul is ready to answer the Kiwi call and fly out from England for the Anzac teston May 5.
The 30-year-old says he would have on hesitation in jetting back for the match. Paul's hudersfield side play Harlequins on Sunday morning (Australia time) before the test, which means he or fellow halback option Thomas Leuluai could not arrive until Monday at the earliest.
"It's not a problem - have you seen how much space you get flying business class?" Paul grins.
Bradford, wakefield and St Helens play on the Saturday before the Test, so Lesley Vainikolo, Shontayne Hape and David Solomona would be available. But Paul Rauhihi and Ali Lauitiiti are ruled out as their super league match takes place on the Tuesday.

 

[JonB_old]

Id rather have a team of average players playing like a team, than a team of good players disoraganised and hesitant about what the guy beside them is about to do.

Its awesome that Robbie Paul still has desire to wear a Black jersey.

 

[ozbash_old]

time the NZRL started making a noise over this to ther RLI. You just cannot have clubs dictating to national sides,, wage payers or not.

the jersey must come first.

 

[JonB_old]

time the NZRL started making a noise over this to ther RLI. You just cannot have clubs dictating to national sides,, wage payers or not.

the jersey must come first.

Only if they want league to become an international sport. League can get bigger by expanding the NRL or ESL, but it can not grow unless the international game is up there with importance like rugby, soccer or cricket.

 

[Skinny_Ravs82]

I can't believe there are players that are more interested in playing for the clubs instead of their country. It's terrible if you ask me.Yes the NRL and ESL are demanding enough as it is, but if they can put the willing work into playing club football I don't see why they can't do the same at the international level. the ESL players use far too manyt excuses, more so thenNRL players and quite honestly I'm disgused. Players shouldn't be picked unless they are under injury concerns. The rest is stupid excuses
"Oh there are games before the test on may 5, don't want to rish too much wrok, oh it's and effort to fly all the way" bleah! Might as well wipe them off playing international footy for good if they are going to be like that. :evil:

 

[Jesbass_old]

I can't believe there are players that are more interested in playing for the clubs instead of their country. It's terrible if you ask me.Yes the NRL and ESL are demanding enough as it is, but if they can put the willing work into playing club football I don't see why they can't do the same at the international level. the ESL players use far too manyt excuses, more so thenNRL players and quite honestly I'm disgused. Players shouldn't be picked unless they are under injury concerns. The rest is stupid excuses
"Oh there are games before the test on may 5, don't want to rish too much wrok, oh it's and effort to fly all the way" bleah! Might as well wipe them off playing international footy for good if they are going to be like that. :evil:

And that's why you're not the Kiwi coach, Skinny - too eager to burn bridges.

 

[ozbash_old]

time the NZRL started making a noise over this to ther RLI. You just cannot have clubs dictating to national sides,, wage payers or not.

the jersey must come first.

Only if they want league to become an international sport. League can get bigger by expanding the NRL or ESL, but it can not grow unless the international game is up there with importance like rugby, soccer or cricket.

League is an international sport (admittedly very selectivly international) but the national governing bodies have to put their foot down and say to the clubs that they must release for test duty.

The international game must survive for the game as a whole to grow.
Aussies have set the precedent , after SOO is the NRL then test matches. The Brits are doing their best to follow suit and it has to be stopped otherwise the game will be played in only 3 countries.

when people think of international footy its immediately oz,nz,the poms.
what chance does the game in PNG, France, South Africa, USA have to develope and go to the next level with blinkered thinking like that.?

international league is turning into a complete farce,, thanks to the clubs.

 

[tmaster_old]

The NZRL need to get there act together as well so they are not in such a inferior position to the NRL. They need to formulate more strategies to cash in on recent succes and interest in the game as well find out creative ways of getting superstars like Marshall & Williams in on it.