Civoniceva In Frame To Lead Kangaroos

The Age

Monday October 1, 2007

Brad Walter and Glenn Jackson

PETERO Civoniceva has emerged as a surprise contender for the Australian captaincy job in next week's Test against New Zealand, with officials last night believed to be undecided between the veteran prop and Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith.

The Kangaroos selectors will today unveil a new look team for the October 14 Test at Wellington's Westpac Trust Stadium, with skipper and five-eighth Darren Lockyer heading a long list of key players sidelined through injury.

Half-back Johnathan Thurston, full-back Karmichael Hunt and winger Brent Tate are also unavailable from the team that beat New Zealand in April, while England-bound Storm centre Matt King will be overlooked.

The Kiwis are also missing several big names, including Sonny Bill Williams, Benji Marshall, Nathan Cayless and Brent Webb. Yesterday seven debutants were named in a 19-man NZ squad for the match and a three-Test series against Great Britain.

Warriors hooker Nathan Fien, now eligible for NZ after last year's "grannygate" scandal, was a shock omission.

Among the new faces are Storm forwards Jeremy Smith and Jeff Lima, along with Manly centre Steve Matai.

The other Test rookies are Cronulla winger Luke Covell, Parramatta prop Fuifui Moimoi, South Sydney half-back Jeremy Smith, St George Illawarra centre Chase Stanley and Wests Tigers winger Taniela Tuiaki.

"For the Kiwis, this is a continuation of a new era. With Ruben Wiki, Stacey Jones and Nigel Vagana retiring from the international arena, we don't have as much Test experience now," new Kiwis coach Gary Kemble said.

"That means the Tests we have coming up are vital as we build towards the World Cup in Australia next year. That's what makes it so exciting, the fact we are bringing together a new side."

South Sydney prop Roy Asotasi will again captain the side, whose rookie Rabbitohs teammate Eddie Paea was named skipper of the Junior Kiwis team to play in the curtain-raiser.

Bradford's Shontayne Hape is the only player recalled from England for the Test. "There are plenty of quality players in this group and 11 of them have had the benefit of playing in the NRL finals, six of them involved in the later stages of the play-offs. As well as that Shontayne had some finals football with Bradford," Kemble said.

The Kangaroos line-up is also set to be dominated by players from last night's grand final, with Melbourne's Smith and Greg Inglis and Manly's Jamie Lyon and Brent Kite considered certain selections with several other players vying for places.

Sharks lock Paul Gallen gave up tickets to last night's grand final in a bid to prove his fitness for the Test. Gallen sustained a shoulder injury in the Prime Minister's XIII's draw with PNG, but surgery is now unlikely and, if selected, Gallen will have to prove his fitness on Thursday at the team medical.

"I had a couple of tickets but I decided not to go," he said. "I just want to do everything I can - I woke up at seven in the morning, went straight to the gym, then to Caringbah Pool. I hope I'm not doing too much actually. I'm just trying to get it right."

After seeing shoulder specialist Des Bokor last Friday, Gallen is now hopeful.

"I'll just have to wait and see," he said. "But he was pretty positive. He can't see any major damage. He said it was just a burner. It might take a couple of weeks, worse case scenario it might take a couple of months."

Gallen also revealed the damage dates back to 2000, when he joined the Sharks from Parramatta, admitting that the Eels club doctor had urged him to undergo a shoulder reconstruction back then, however, he decided against it because of his move.

Meanwhile, the Australian Rugby League has received a $10 million grant from the Federal Government for the establishment of a Hall of Fame.

Prime Minister John Howard made the funding announcement at the St George grand final luncheon. The government has also pledged $2.6 million towards events to mark the centenary of the game in Australia, including next year's World Cup.

NZ (squad): Louis Anderson (Warriors), Roy Asotasi (Souths, capt), Luke Covell (Cronulla), David Fauimu (Cowboys), Dene Halatau (Tigers), Shontayne Hape (Bradford), Krisnan Inu (Eels), Jeff Lima (Storm), Simon Mannering (Warriors), Steve Matai (Manly), Fuifui Moimoi (Parramatta), Frank Pritchard (Panthers), Sam Rapira (Warriors), Ben Roberts (Bulldogs), Jeremy Smith (Storm), Jeremy Smith (Souths), Chase Stanley (Dragons), Taniela Tuiaki (Tigers), Paul Whatuira (Tigers).

© 2007 The Age

Back to News Index | Back to Home