League Kiwi Squad Named For Tonga Match, England and France.
Posted: October 6, 2009 Filed under: Breaking News, Community, Current, NZPacific, sports | Tags: 2009 KIWIS SQUAD DETAILS, Australian Rugby League’s 2008 Centenary Test, Ben Matulino (Warriors), Benji Marshall, Bryson Goodwin (Bulldogs), Four Nations, Four Nations match against Australia at The Twickenham Stoop on October 24, Frank Pritchard, Frank-Paul Nuuausala (Sydney Roosters), Fuifui Moimoi, inaugural Rugby League Four Nations in England and France, Junior Sau (Newcastle) and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Manly)., Kevin Locke (Warriors), Kiwis Kieran Foran (Manly), Krisnan Inu, Manly centre Steve Matai, Melbourne forwards Adam Blair and Jeff Lima, NRL, October 14, Parramatta Eels, Roosters’, Rugby League Coach Stephen Kearney, Sea Eagles, SEVEN NEWCOMERS IN KIWI SQUAD FOR FOUR NATIONS, Test against Tonga at Rotorua International Stadium on Wednesday, world champion Kiwis’ one-off Test against Tonga 2 CommentsMedia Release
New Zealand Rugby League
SEVEN NEWCOMERS IN KIWI SQUAD FOR FOUR NATIONS
Auckland, New Zealand, October 05, 2009 – Seven debutants have today been named in the 23-man squad for the world champion Kiwis’ one-off Test against Tonga next week and the inaugural Four Nations in England and France.
Coach Stephen Kearney said the 2013 World Cup was a key factor in the selectors’ decision to choose first-time Kiwis Kieran Foran (Manly), Bryson Goodwin (Bulldogs), Kevin Locke (Warriors), Ben Matulino (Warriors), Frank-Paul Nuuausala (Sydney Roosters), Junior Sau (Newcastle) and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Manly).
“It’s hugely exciting to be able to pick so many young players who have so much potential to play a big part in the Kiwis’ future,” said Kearney.
“They’ve all made a real impact in the NRL this year with all but one of them having had a taste of finals football either this season or last season.
“We don’t have the benefit of tour matches these days so it’s important we ensure we are always developing our future test players.”
Foran, Locke and Waerea-Hargreaves made their NRL debuts this year, Matulino and Sau made theirs last year and Goodwin and Nuuausala first appeared at first-grade level in 2007.
Auckland-born Stand-off halfback Foran (19) scored six tries in nine NRL appearances for the Sea Eagles this year while 110kg Rotorua-born back rower Waerea-Hargreaves (20) was used six times at top level by Manly.
Locke (20) played 12 times on the wing by the Warriors while Auckland-born Sau (22) appeared in all 25 of Newcastle’s games this year and has now played 37 NRL matches in all. Matulino has 33 NRL appearances across the past two seasons and Aucklander Nuuausala boosted his career tally to 38 by playing all 24 of the Roosters’ games this year.
Winger Goodwin (23) is one of St George legend Ted Goodwin’s three sons who have all played NRL football (Goodwin senior played for the Kangaroos in 1972-73). Goodwin junior had played only nine NRL games previously but in his first season with the Bulldogs this year he was one of the competition’s leading try-scorers with 20 tries in 24 games. Born in Australia, he qualifies for the Kiwis through his Maori grand mother and has also played for New Zealand Maori.
While a number of players were out of contention for the Four Nations tour through injury, Kearney said the Kiwis now benefited from much improved depth in player quality in all positions.
“We’ve had a number of players ruled out but we still have a squad of really good quality, one that’s young but one that has plenty of ability,” he said.
“The encouraging thing is that there were a lot of really capable players who have also missed out. We’re confident with the group we have this time.”
Of the squad used in last year’s successful World Cup campaign, 12 are in this Four Nations touring party while utility Iosia Soliola was an original World Cup selection.
Among the players recalled are second rower Frank Pritchard, who last played for the Kiwis in the Australian Rugby League’s 2008 Centenary Test but missed the World Cup and this year’s Anzac Test through injury.
Prop Fuifui Moimoi made his Kiwi debut in 2007 and returns after a two-year absence on the back of his compelling form for beaten NRL grand finalists the Parramatta Eels.
Grand final-winning Melbourne forwards Adam Blair and Jeff Lima are both in the squad as is centre Krisnan Inu from the beaten Parramatta side. Blair and Lima both played in this year’s Anzac Test but Inu didn’t. Also back after missing the Anzac Test is Manly centre Steve Matai while Benji Marshall is again captain after leading the Kiwis once during the World Cup and again in the May international against the Kangaroos in May.
The Kiwis will be in camp for 10-days, starting in Auckland on Wednesday before moving to Rotorua on Saturday to prepare for their one-off Test against Tonga at Rotorua International Stadium on Wednesday, October 14. They fly out for England on October 16 ahead of their opening Four Nations match against Australia at The Twickenham Stoop on October 24.
2009 KIWIS – SQUAD DETAILS
ADAM BLAIR
(Melbourne Storm)
Born: March 20, 1986
Height: 188cm
Weight: 108kg
Position: Prop/second row
Junior Club: Northland rugby union
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 732
Tests: 12 (2006-2009)
Test Debut: v Australia, 2006
NRL Games: 76 (2006-2009)
GREG EASTWOOD
(Bulldogs)
Born: March 10, 1987
Height: 183cm
Weight: 109kg
Position: Second row/loose forward
Junior Club: Manurewa Marlins (Auckland)
Other NRL Clubs: Brisbane (2005-2008)
Kiwi Number: 737
Tests: 10 (2007-2009)
Test Debut: v Australia, 2007
NRL Games: 87 (2005-2009)
NATHAN FIEN
(St George Illawarra Dragons)
Born: August 1, 1979
Height: 172cm
Weight: 86kg
Position: Halfback/hooker
Junior Club: Mt Isa Brothers (Queensland)
Other NRL Clubs: North Queensland (2000-2004), Warriors (2005-2009)
Kiwi Number: 733
Tests: 9 (2006-2009)
Test Debut: v Australia, 2006
NRL Games: 206 (2000-2009)
KIERAN FORAN
(Manly Sea Eagles)
Born: July 13, 1990
Height: 180cm
Weight: 87kg
Position: Standoff/halfback
Junior Club: Asquith Magpies (NSW)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 0
Tests: 0
Test Debut: Yet to make debut
NRL Games: 9 (2009)
BRYSON GOODWIN
(Bulldogs)
Born: December 30, 1985
Height: 185cm
Weight: 95kg
Position: Wing
Junior Club: Gymea Gorillas (NSW)
Other NRL Clubs: Cronulla (2007-2008)
Kiwi Number: 0
Tests: 0
Test Debut: Yet to make debut
NRL Games: 33 (2007-2009)
BRONSON HARRISON
(Canberra Raiders)
Born: October 10, 1985
Height: 183cm
Weight: 102kg
Position: Second row
Junior Club: Leichhardt Wanderers (Sydney)
Other NRL Clubs: Wests Tigers (2004-2008)
Kiwi Number: 723
Tests: 5 (2005-2009)
Test Debut: v France, 2005
NRL Games: 103 (2004-2009)
LANCE HOHAIA
(Warriors)
Born: April 1, 1983
Height: 175cm
Weight: 86kg
Position: Utility
Junior Club: Taniwharau (Waikato)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 695
Tests: 18 (2002-2009)
Test Debut: v Australia, 2002
NRL Games: 140 (2002-2009)
KRISNAN INU
(Parramatta Eels)
Born: March 17, 1987
Height: 185cm
Weight: 99kg
Position: Centre/wing/fullback
Junior Club: Cabramatta (NSW)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 735
Tests: 4 (2007-2008)
Test Debut: v Australia, 2007
NRL Games: 57 (2007-2009)
THOMAS LEULUAI
(Wigan Warriors)
Born: June 22, 1985
Height: 176cm
Weight: 85kg
Position: Halfback
Junior Club: Otahuhu (Auckland)
Other Clubs: Warriors (2003-2004), London Broncos (2005), Harlequins
(2005-2006)
Kiwi Number: 704
Tests: 18 (2003-2008)
Test Debut: v Australia, 2003
NRL Games: 22 (2003-2004)
Super League Games: 120 (2005-2009)
JEFF LIMA
(Melbourne Storm)
Born: July 4, 1982
Height: 182cm
Weight: 107kg
Position: Prop
Junior Club: Mangere East (Auckland)
Other NRL Clubs: Wests Tigers (2004-2005)
Kiwi Number: 743
Tests: 4 (2007-2009)
Test Debut: v Australia, 2007
NRL Games: 77 (2004-2009)
- NRL games total doesn’t include 2009 grand final v Parramatta
KEVIN LOCKE
(Warriors)
Born: April 4, 1989
Height: 175cm
Weight: 82kg
Position: Fullback/wing
Junior Club: Northcote Tigers (Auckland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 0
Tests: 0
Test Debut: Yet to make debut
NRL Games: 12 (2009)
ISSAC LUKE
(South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Born: May 29, 1987
Height: 174cm
Weight: 84kg
Position: Hooker
Junior Club: Hawera Hawks (Taranaki)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 749
Tests: 6 (2008)
Test Debut: v Australia, 2008
NRL Games: 58 (2007-2009)
BENJI MARSHALL
(Wests Tigers)
Born: February 25, 1985
Height: 182cm
Weight: 92kg
Position: Halfback/standoff
Junior Club: Keebra Park (Queensland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 717
Tests: 10 (2005-2009)
Test Debut: v Australia, 2005
NRL Games: 103 (2003-2009)
STEVE MATAI
(Manly Sea Eagles)
Born: August 5, 1984
Height: 177cm
Weight: 94kg
Position: Centre
Junior Club: Ponsonby Ponies (Auckland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 730
Tests: 8 (2006-2008)
Test Debut: v Australia, 2006
NRL Games: 89 (2005-2009)
BEN MATULINO
(Warriors)
Born: January 3, 1989
Height: 193cm
Weight: 106kg
Position: Second row
Junior Club: Te Aroha Eels (Wellington)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 0
Tests: 0
Test Debut: Yet to make debut
NRL Games: 33 (2008-2009)
FUIFUI MOIMOI
(Parramatta Eels)
Born: September 26, 1979
Height: 183cm
Weight: 108kg
Position: Prop
Junior Club: Mt Albert (Auckland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 741
Tests: 5
Test Debut: v Australia, 2007
NRL Games: 97 (2004-2009)
JASON NIGHTINGALE
(St George Illawarra Dragons)
Born: September 20, 1986
Height: 183cm
Weight: 91kg
Position: Wing/fullback
Junior Club: Renown United (NSW)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 747
Tests: 4 (2008-2009)
Test Debut: v Australia, 2008
NRL Games: 58 (2007-2009)
FRANK-PAUL NUUAUSALA
(Sydney Roosters)
Born: February 13, 1987
Height: 184cm
Weight: 114kg
Position: Prop
Junior Club: Mangere East Hawks (Auckland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 0
Tests: 0
Test Debut: Yet to make debut
NRL Games: 38 (2007-2009)
NRL Games: 26 (2008-2009)
SAM PERRETT
(Sydney Roosters)
Born: May 14, 1985
Height: 182cm
Weight: 92kg
Position: Wing/fullback
Junior Club: Burleigh Bears (Queensland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 744
Tests: 11 (2007-2009)
Test Debut: v Great Britain, 2007
NRL Games: 94 (2004-2009)
FRANK PRITCHARD
(Penrith Panthers)
Born: November 3, 1983
Height: 189cm
Weight: 109kg
Position: Second row
Junior Club: Campbelltown City (NSW)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 718
Tests: 14 (2005-2008)
Test Debut: v Australia, 2005
NRL Games: 124 (2003-2009)
JUNIOR SAU
(Newcastle Knights)
Born: April 18, 1987
Height: 175cm
Weight: 102kg
Position: Centre
Junior Club: Logan Brothers (Queensland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 0
Tests: 0
Test Debut: Yet to make debut
NRL Games: 37 (2008-2009)
IOSIA SOLIOLA
(Sydney Roosters)
Born: August 4, 1986
Height: 190cm
Weight: 99kg
Position: Centre/second row
Junior Club: Ponsonby (Auckland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 729
Tests: 8 (2006-2009)
Test Debut: v Australia, 2006
NRL Games: 92 (2004-2009)
JARED WAEREA-HARGREAVES
(Manly Sea Eagles)
Born: January 20, 1989
Height: 190cm
Weight: 110kg
Position: Second row/loose forward
Junior Club: North Sydney rugby union
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 0
Tests: 0
Test Debut: Yet to make debut
NRL Games: 6 (2009)
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
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