Cowboys' forward Jason Taumalolo was one of the main features in the team named by coach Stephen Kearney yesterday for the opening game of the Four Nations, finally getting his chance at international level after some close calls in recent years. "Jason's always been there or thereabouts," Kearney said.
"His performances over the past year, but particularly over the last two months of the NRL, have been very consistent."
He'll be a key weapon at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium. The absence of players such as Sam Kasiano, Frank Pritchard, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Ben Matulino and Sam Moa leave the Kiwis short of men in the pack who can bend the defensive line, who provide that vital momentum for the rest of the team to feed off.
Taumalolo fits the bill - with size, power and footwork.
A second rower for most of his career, he will play at lock forward in the test match after impressing in that position during the most recent NRL season.
Penrith wunderkind Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is the other hot prospect named by Kearney, though his inclusion is subject to a fitness test after he picked up a foot injury in training earlier this week. Lewis Brown returns from a three-year international exile and will bring utility value (he can cover centre, hooker and back row).
There weren't too many surprises in yesterday's team. Jason Nightingale was expected to get the nod ahead of Manu Vatuvei while Bodene Thompson, Gerard Beale, Sosaia Feki and Siliva Havili were always going to struggle to force their way in the 17 man squad for the first match.
It's a strong lineup. Peta Hiku gets his chance to continue the promise he displayed in the Anzac test while Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Dean Whare turn out together for the Kiwis for the first time in more than a year.
The all-important spine looks healthy, with Shaun Johnson and Kieran Foran reunited and Thomas Leuluai replacing Issac Luke at hooker. The selection of Leuluai is a gamble; he didn't look convincing at No9 for the Warriors last season and he won't be able to match Cameron Smith's passing range from dummy half. But he has years of experience as Wigan hooker to call upon, is defensively solid and will provide the Kiwis with another kicking option.
The Kiwis also look light on front row options to complement Jesse Bromwich, with Greg Eastwood and Adam Blair having played more second row than prop in recent years.
- By Michael Burgess of the NZ Herald
