Kiwis still have plenty to play for

By AARON GOILE - Waikato Times

Last updated 12:00 14/10/2009

DARREN PATEMAN/Fairfax Media

DEBUTANT: Newcastle Knights centre Junior Sau is one of four debutantS lining up for the Kiwis against Tonga.

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The Kiwis have played far more important matches over the years, but tonight's rugby league encounter with Tonga at Rotorua International Stadium is crucial in its own right.

With the inaugural Four Nations campaign just around the corner, the Kiwis have plenty to gain from their only lead-up match.

Coach Stephen Kearney has had to put a side together without injured notables Simon Mannering, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, Sam Rapira, Roy Asotasi and Taniela Tuiaki, but newcomers will get a chance to stamp their mark in the Black jersey.

Four debutants have been named in tonight's XVII, with Newcastle Knights centre Junior Sau, Bulldogs winger Bryson Goodwin, Sydney Roosters prop Frank-Paul Nuuausala and Rotorua-born Manly Sea Eagles backrower Jared Waerea-Hargreaves set to play their first internationals.

Hooker Isaac Luke returns after suspension ruled him out of this year's Anzac test and Steve Matai is recalled to the centres after last playing for the Kiwis in last year's World Cup.

The halves see captain Benji Marshall (five-eighth) and Nathan Fien (halfback) swap positions from where they lined up in the Anzac game.

The Kiwis will also be defending the Peter Leitch QSM Challenge Trophy.

The trophy was launched in last year's match between the two nations before the World Cup, which New Zealand won 56-8 and it will also go on the line when the holder takes on either Fiji, Samoa or the Cook Islands.

The home side can expect a physical battle from the Tongans and the action in the early stages is likely to be fiery.

But once the Kiwis get the ball wide they should make inroads.

Tonga have the Pacific Cup competition coming up in November, with the winner of the five-team tournament booking a berth alongside New Zealand, Australia and England when the 2010 Four Nations takes place.

Parramatta Eels utility Feleti Mateo is the headline act in the Tongan side, which also includes former Warriors and Kiwis international Epalahame Lauaki and 2009 Warriors debutant Ukuma Ta'ai.

The team are coached by Rohan Smith, son of long-time NRL coach Brian Smith.

It will be interesting to see how the Kiwis perform tonight with the expectations on them to win, and win well.

TEAMS

Kiwis: Lance Hohaia, Bryson Goodwin, Steve Matai, Junior Sau, Sam Perrett, Benji Marshall (c), Nathan Fien, Jeff Lima, Issac Luke, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Bronson Harrison, Frank Pritchard, Greg Eastwood.Interchange: Thomas Leuluai, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Iosia Soliola, Adam Blair.

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Tonga: Toshio Laiseni, Sam Huihahau, Pita Maile, Siuatonga Likiliki, Etuate Uaisele, Feleti Mateo (c), Eddie Paea, Epalahame Lauaki, Eliakim Uasi, Richard Fa'aoso, Ukuma Ta'ai, Viliami Mataka, Atelea Vea. Interchange: Joel Taufa'ao, Sione Tovo, Siosaia Vave, Paki Afu. Referee: Leon Williamson (New Zealand)

Kickoff: 7.35pm