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NZU in Tri-Nations curtainraiser
Thursday, October 12th, 2006
NZU Rugby League take on Aussies at Mt Smart ahead of Saturday’s Tri-Nations.
After beating the New Zealand Defence Force 24-10 on Monday and their test counterparts beating the Waikato Maoris by the same score in Hamilton on Tuesday night, the New Zealand Universities rugby league side is expecting a tough encounter against the Australian Tertiary team at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland this Saturday afternoon.
The one off international will be the first of two curtain-raisers prior to the first Tri-Nations match between the Kiwis and Kangaroos and like the senior main game, a close match is expected. NZU coach Trevor McLeod said his side has been concentrating this week on shifting the ball along with working on different combinations. McLeod also said he was impressed with the Australian effort from Tuesday night who showed they were ‘quick off the mark and played the ball wide’. Although the New Zealand Universities side won the Student World Cup last year in Australia, McLeod said this year’s team is vastly different as 14 of the 18 members of the playing squad are all new this year.
The match is also expected to be the final international match for the veteran 34 year-old NZU prop and team captain, Henry Heke, who was a playing member of the successful 1999 and 2005 Student World Cup sides that won under the coaching tutorlege of McLeod. Although he was unable to be present due to being in Auckland with the NZU team, Heke was honoured on Wednesday night in Wellington by being awarded the Victoria University Maori Sportsman of the Year along with being honoured with a third Victoria University Blues award.
The two squads for the 4pm match are:
New Zealand Universities (with one to be omitted): Josh Allen, Lale Ausage, Simon Beale, Daniel Bell, Matt Deane, Liu Faleono, Anton Gall, Anaru Grant, Henry Heke (captain), Ben Hurrell, Scott Hurrell, Saimon Lomaloma, Olly Needham, Mikaere October, Hone Patrick, Victor Smith, Ben Taraeka, Berry Tuia.
Australia Tertiary (with three to be omitted): Tas Van Balen, Colin Webb, Matt Warren, Sione Fukofuka, Jamen McLeod, Selwyn Wharepapa, Scott Morton, Nick Hyde, Michael Ellis, Lucas Duncombe, Dean Saxby, Dan Smith, Rodd Habben, Tim Martin, Grant Craig, Damien Bettridge, Johnathon Fraser, Shane Beldham, Pat Williamson, Dave Welsh.
Referee: Raima Koti (Auckland)
Preview from Carey Clements, Secretary, NZU Rugby League Council
