International New Zealand Kiwis

[Makasene]

Gotta feel for Kini, like Ponga made his choice and chose Australia and QLD for Kini to be dropped for him is gross

With Mulitalos injury there is also the possibility he could play wing

Lots of ways to get him in.

 

[CWC]

Ponga kicks goals too

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

IMO, not only is Ponga our 1st choice fullback. He’s also our 3rd choice/back up half. Be it 6 or 7.

His defence won’t be any worse than Nikorima.
And TMM doesn’t have enough upside for a Kiwis team that should be able to beat everyone.

 

[VB89]

Kini has been top 3, possibly even our best in the last 2 years. I also think he is just purpose built playing off the back of this dominant pack.

If one of Hughes or Brown goes down I would just slot Ponga into the halves and for sure keep Kini at the back.

 

[Playdaball]

Kini at 18/19 on the bench (presumably they will do 6 man bench?)

Probably not as International rules can differ from NRL and SL too.

 

[Boats n Hoes]

Kini has been top 3, possibly even our best in the last 2 years. I also think he is just purpose built playing off the back of this dominant pack.

If one of Hughes or Brown goes down I would just slot Ponga into the halves and for sure keep Kini at the back.

100 percent.

Kini's speed and support play is his hallmark.....he sniffs around absolutely every play and then with his speed can latch on to any break, or half break. And as u say hes purpose suited on the back of a dominant forward pack.

 

[ndp26]

Kini has worked hard to make that #1 jersey his own, so hopefully this (in a RLWC year) doesn't have the same effect as the Harris / SBW RLWC 2013 debacle.

Depending on who we have available / in form at 9, Ponga could be used as the ultimate 14 to cover the whole backline and/or play against some tired middles (like he was first used in Origin). This would allow us to keep Kini at the back, and have a real point of difference in our side.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Depending on who we have available / in form at 9, Ponga could be used as the ultimate 14 to cover the whole backline

Hughes has played 9 multiple times and is a very good 9. He usually is at dummy half the first 3 or 4 runs then sets himself up for final plays while others take on the dummy half role as he has done off the bench for the Kiwis.

Ponga @ 6, Brown @ 7, Hughes @ 9, Kini FB can work. It gives us tremendous running threats all over the park as as well as Kicking options with Hughes & Ponga. Ponga , Hughes & Brown are good ball playing threats as well.
Then we can afford to carry someone like Nikorima who covers several backline positions. And is a dangerous runner out of dummy half.

 

[ndp26]

Hughes has played 9 multiple times and is a very good 9. He usually is at dummy half the first 3 or 4 runs then sets himself up for final plays while others take on the dummy half role as he has done off the bench for the Kiwis.

Ponga @ 6, Brown @ 7, Hughes @ 9, Kini FB can work. It gives us tremendous running threats all over the park as as well as Kicking options with Hughes & Ponga. Ponga , Hughes & Brown are good ball playing threats as well.
Then we can afford to carry someone like Nikorima who covers several backline positions. And is a dangerous runner out of dummy half.

I don't recall Hughes having played many (if any) games at hooker. Appreciate he jumps in there during games to give Grant a rest, but I think it is a completely different ball game to be named there and defend in the middle. If it was me, I'd want to avoid moving Hughes out of the 7 jumper to accommodate both Kini and Ponga (plus I still think Brown is more of a running half than an organising half, where Hughes has managed to juggle both).

 

[Jaffa J]

I don't recall Hughes having played many (if any) games at hooker. Appreciate he jumps in there during games to give Grant a rest, but I think it is a completely different ball game to be named there and defend in the middle. If it was me, I'd want to avoid moving Hughes out of the 7 jumper to accommodate both Kini and Ponga (plus I still think Brown is more of a running half than an organising half, where Hughes has managed to juggle both).

Only 2019 from memory our game against Tonga he was the 14 for us and played at hooker but agree with this

 

[The Warrior Waka]

I don't recall Hughes having played many (if any) games at hooker. Appreciate he jumps in there during games to give Grant a rest, but I think it is a completely different ball game to be named there and defend in the middle. If it was me, I'd want to avoid moving Hughes out of the 7 jumper to accommodate both Kini and Ponga (plus I still think Brown is more of a running half than an organising half, where Hughes has managed to juggle both).

Kiwis he has. Earlier in his career for the Storm he was used as a utility. Covering fullback, Half & Hooker as well.

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

Moving arguably our most important player from arguably the most important position to accommodate another player (regardless of how good they are) doesn’t seem like a good strategy IMO.

1. Ponga
6. Brown
7. Hughes
9. We have 3 legitimate options.

If Brown or Hughes goes down, then I’d move Ponga to 6 or 7. Insert Kini at fullback.

And Nikorima and TMM can cover all spine positions more or less.
Kiwis depth and actually getting insane.
And a sneaky Kaeo Weekes mention.

 

[CWC]

Weekes can cover wing? If Ronaldo’s recovering it’s him the dolphin guy and Warbricks, I think Weekes is better if Ponga is there kicking goals

 

[snake77]

Let's hope both Kini and Ponga are both fit and available for selection.

Then it's a case of getting the selections right.

 

[Noitall]

 

[Playdaball]

The inclusion of Ponga does solve a bit of an issue with the Kiwis, provides a goal kicker.
Issako is first clas sbut would he hold a position if all of the wingers were fit and healthy?? I'm not sure.
Could Moses Leo be a long shot for the Kiwis ?

 

[Teets]

Could Moses Leo be a long shot for the Kiwis ?

Could Moses Leo be a long shot for the Kiwis ?

For sure, McLean would be the only one locked in for me.

Timoko, Kris, Leo, Pomps and everyone else (Howarth?) all scrapping for the other spot.

 

[sup42]

Kini has worked hard to make that #1 jersey his own, so hopefully this (in a RLWC year) doesn't have the same effect as the Harris / SBW RLWC 2013 debacle.

Depending on who we have available / in form at 9, Ponga could be used as the ultimate 14 to cover the whole backline and/or play against some tired middles (like he was first used in Origin). This would allow us to keep Kini at the back, and have a real point of difference in our side.

Nah not for mine.

No room for sentimentality when you have Ponga as your fullback.

Kini isn't even in the same league as Ponga.

It is not like Kaylen is making the world dance around his little finger like Williams "will he won't he" there is none of that self promoting bullshit that SBW brought to the Tohu Harris affair.

It is not like Kini has been named to go on tour....

Ponga at 14 would be a sentimental waste of this rare opportunity for NZ to dominate Australia for an era.

 

[selector]

Cooper Clark. Prop from the Melbourne storm. Australian born with māori heritage. Only 20 made his debut in round 1 against the Eels. Played for NSW u19s. With the change to SOOeligibility criteria he can now play for both NSW and the Kiwis. One to keep an eye for in the future.

Cooper Clarke

The NRL profile of Cooper Clarke including career statistics, season stats, games, tries, goals, tackles and fantasy scores.

www.melbournestorm.com.au

Bellamy calls on teen giant as Storm put epic Rd 1 record on the line

Craig Bellamy has turned to a teenage forward who has trimmed down from 145kg as the Storm aim to maintain their remarkable 23-year unbeaten Round 1 record with him at the helm.

www.nrl.com

View: https://www.instagram.com/p/DLHrr72p9_d/

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Cooper Clark. Prop from the Melbourne storm. Australian born with Maori heritage. Only 20 made his debut in round 1 against the Eels. Played for NSW u19s. With the change to SOOeligibility criteria he can now play for both NSW and the Kiwis. One to keep an eye for in the future.

Cooper Clarke

The NRL profile of Cooper Clarke including career statistics, season stats, games, tries, goals, tackles and fantasy scores.

www.melbournestorm.com.au

Bellamy calls on teen giant as Storm put epic Rd 1 record on the line

Craig Bellamy has turned to a teenage forward who has trimmed down from 145kg as the Storm aim to maintain their remarkable 23-year unbeaten Round 1 record with him at the helm.

www.nrl.com

View: https://www.instagram.com/p/DLHrr72p9_d/

His older brother Zak is a gun too. Plays for the Riff.