Internationals Smith Makes Charge For Test Jersey

[MiXmasterreece_old]

https://xtramsn.co.nz/sport/0,,12050-5669397,00.html
19/04/2006
NewstalkZB
There is finally some positive news for Kiwis league coach Brian McClennan.

Test standoff candidate Nigel Vagana is back in the NRL, making his first start of the season for Cronulla on Saturday night, playing at centre against the Cowboys.

Meanwhile two new names to the NRL are being touted as Kiwis possibilities for the ANZAC test in a few weeks.

Twenty-four-year-old five eighth Jeremy Smith makes his NRL debut for Parramatta against Wests Tigers on Friday night, while Junior Kiwis utility back teenager Greg Eastwood plays off the Brisbane bench again this weekend, after scoring his debut NRL try last week.

Eastwood stumbled into the Broncos a few years ago when a mate invited him along to watch training.

One of the club's recruitment officers spotted him running around and kicking the ball and quickly signed him to a contract.

Smith played for New Zealand "A" last season and was one of the best players on the field in the Tri Nations curtain-raiser between New Zealand A and the Kangaroos Invitational 13.

He has been playing second division premier league in Sydney.

 

[MiXmasterreece_old]

I really hope they give this guy a go, from what ive seen of him he looks the goods

 

[Murphdogg1_old]

That is good news,

if he did make the Kiwis, would he play 6 or 7? he seems to have played more at 6 but the Kiwis have more needs at 7........

 

[ozbash_old]

tell you what, craig smith has got to be damned close too. we need an experienced prop.

 

[MiXmasterreece_old]

I Would say he would play 7 to be honest, unless we feel we want to play vagana in the centres with Toopi

 

[MiXmasterreece_old]

tell you what, craig smith has got to be damned close too. we need an experienced prop.

To be honest I think there are a few I would pick ahead of Craig

 

[AliN_old]

like Feka

 

[MiXmasterreece_old]

not like feka

 

[edguy_old]

im sorry ....but this is freakin test match .....smith has no chance in hell of playing at 5/8 for the kiwis ... ..ive never even heard of him ....
this is just total BS ......you dont pick guys that havent played first grade to go up against the a fired up Roos ......

either nigel or sione have to be the 5/8 ........ !!! please let sanity prevail!!!!!

 

[Swanley_old]

1 word edguy.....

OLSEN.......

 

[edguy_old]

correct me of im wrong ,,,,,but olson had played tests for the kiwis before being plucked from reserve grade ? also he had played heaps of first grade , and was just out of form at the time.....

dont think we can compare him with this kid eh ?

 

[Warrior_Hot_Stepper_old]

im sorry ....but this is freakin test match .....smith has no chance in hell of playing at 5/8 for the kiwis ... ..ive never even heard of him ....
this is just total BS ......you dont pick guys that havent played first grade to go up against the a fired up Roos ......

either nigel or sione have to be the 5/8 ........ !!! please let sanity prevail!!!!!

just give the guy a break, we are short on halves, so if he plays well why not give him a test jersy, have him at no6 and hohaia at no7 play vagana at 13 and have faumuina on the bench as a impact player along with SB Williams. and by the way so what if he hasnt played first grade before, once you put on that MIGHTY KIWI jersy on its a different story.

 

[edguy_old]

yeah well , we may as well give a couple of the lads in batercard a run in the test team too ......lol ..pass ........we aint that hard up ....

eastwood looks the goods at the broncs .....if theres a bolter , he may be the one ..but again .....its like throwing the christians to the lions ...

we got nigel and sione for 5/8 ..... let brent webb play halfback .....
toops can play fullback

 

[Warrior_Hot_Stepper_old]

i dont consider sione as a 5/8 hes got great ball skills but hes not a 5/8 put him on the bench as i quoted before as a impact player with SB Williams, and bring them both on at the same time and they will both cause havoc on the field.
Have Nigel at 5/8 if this Smith Kid is not up to the coachs standards, but if he is what Brian is looking for, ill bet you all my Warriors Dollars that Brian will shift Vagana at no13 like he did with Hape in the Tri-Nations final last year thats if Smith gets chosen at 5/8.