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BroncoKiwi
New Zealand Rugby League World Cup Squad
October 7th 2008 03:31
Category: Official Squads
New Zealand have today named their 24-man squad for the upcoming rugby league world cup.
The team contains only two English Super League players, with selectors mainly opting for NRL stars - including seven Warriors players.
Coach Stephen kearney was optimistic about his side's chances of claiming the trophy.
“We’ve got a lot of players who have been involved in finals football in the NRL and the English Super League so that’s a real positive,” he said also speaking to NZRL media.
“What we do have is more options than Kiwi teams have had for some time in the key positions of fullback, in the halves and hooker.
“We’ve had two or three players ruled out but you have the expect that.”
However, the squad may change as doubts remain over the fitness of centre Steve Matai and fullback Brent Webb. But selection panel convener Howie Tamati said he was hopefully the pair would be available.
“Our requirement under the World Cup rules is to name our team today,” he said speaking to NZRL media.
“Both Steve and Brent have injuries which need to be checked out but we’re very hopeful they’ll both be right for the tournament."
The World Cup kicks off later this month. Australia name their squad later today.
Squad captain:
Nathan Cayless (Parramatta Eels)
Born: March 28, 1978
Height: 185cm
Weight: 106kg
Position: Prop
Tests: 34 (1998-2008)
NRL Games: 209 (1997-2008)
Squad members:
Adam Blair (Melbourne Storm) – Prop, 5 tests
Greg Eastwood (Brisbane Broncos) – Lock, 3 tests
David Fa’alogo (South Sydney Rabbitohs) – Second Row, 7 tests
Nathan Fien (New Zealand Warriors) – Halfback/Hooker, 2 tests
Dene Halatau (Wests Tigers) – Hooker, 13 tests
Lance Hohaia (New Zealand Warriors) – Utility, 11 tests
Krisnan Inu (Paramatta Eels) – Centre/Winger/Fullback, 2 tests
David Kidwell (South Sydney Rabbitohs) – Second Row, 24 tests
Thomas Leuluai (Wigan Warriors) – Halfback, 12 tests
**Jeff Lima (Melbourne Storm) – Prop, 3 tests
Isaac Luke (South Sydney Rabbitohs) – Hooker, 1 test
Simon Mannering (New Zealand Warriors) – Second Row/Lock, 12 tests
Sika Manu (Melbourne Storm) – Prop, yet to debut
Benji Marshall (Wests Tigers) – Five-eighth, 3 tests
Steven Matai (Manly Sea Eagles) – Centre, 5 tests
Sam Perrett (Sydney Roosters) – Fullback/Winger, 5 tests
Sam Rapira (New Zealand Warriors) – Prop, 6 tests
Jerome Ropati (New Zealand Warriors) – Centre, 4 tests
Setaimata Sa (Sydney Roosters) – Centre/Second Row, 1 test
Jeremy Smith (Melbourne Storm) – Second Row, 6 tests
Iosia Soliola (Sydney Roosters) – Centre, 7 tests
Manu Vatuvei (New Zealand Warriors) – Winger, 11 tests
**Brent Webb (Leeds Rhinos) – Fullback, 17 tests
** Brent Webb and Jeff Lima have since pulled out of the squad with injury - their replacements are Jason Nightingale (Dragons) and Evarn Tuimavave (Warriors)
NRL Live’s Strongest Line Up:
01. Sam Perrett
02. Jason Nightingale
03. Krisnan Inu
04. Steven Matai
05. Manu Vatuvei
06. Benji Marshall
07. Nathan Fien
08. Sam Rapira
09. Isaac Luke
10. Nathan Cayless (c)
11. David Fa’alogo
12. Simon Mannering
13. Jeremy Smith
Interchange:
14. Lance Hohaia
15. Setiamata Sa
16. Greg Eastwood
17. David Kidwell
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