Seven newcomers in Kiwi squad for Four Nations

Auckland, New Zealand, October 05, 2009 – Seven debutants have today been named in the 23-man squad for the world champion Kiwis’ one-off Test against Tonga next week and the inaugural Four Nations in England and France.

Coach Stephen Kearney said the 2013 World Cup was a key factor in the selectors’ decision to choose first-time Kiwis Kieran Foran (Manly), Bryson Goodwin (Bulldogs), Kevin Locke (Warriors), Ben Matulino (Warriors), Frank-Paul Nuuausala (Sydney Roosters), Junior Sau (Newcastle) and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Manly).

“It’s hugely exciting to be able to pick so many young players who have so much potential to play a big part in the Kiwis’ future,” said Kearney.

“They’ve all made a real impact in the NRL this year with all but one of them having had a taste of finals football either this season or last season.

“We don’t have the benefit of tour matches these days so it’s important we ensure we are always developing our future test players.”

Foran, Locke and Waerea-Hargreaves made their NRL debuts this year, Matulino and Sau made theirs last year and Goodwin and Nuuausala first appeared at first-grade level in 2007.

Auckland-born Stand-off halfback Foran (19) scored six tries in nine NRL appearances for the Sea Eagles this year while 110kg Rotorua-born back rower Waerea-Hargreaves (20) was used six times at top level by Manly.

Locke (20) played 12 times on the wing by the Warriors while Auckland-born Sau (22) appeared in all 25 of Newcastle’s games this year and has now played 37 NRL matches in all. Matulino has 33 NRL appearances across the past two seasons and Aucklander Nuuausala boosted his career tally to 38 by playing all 24 of the Roosters’ games this year.

Winger Goodwin (23) is one of St George legend Ted Goodwin’s three sons who have all played NRL football (Goodwin senior played for the Kangaroos in 1972-73). Goodwin junior had played only nine NRL games previously but in his first season with the Bulldogs this year he was one of the competition’s leading try-scorers with 20 tries in 24 games. Born in Australia, he qualifies for the Kiwis through his Maori grand mother and has also played for New Zealand Maori.

While a number of players were out of contention for the Four Nations tour through injury, Kearney said the Kiwis now benefited from much improved depth in player quality in all positions.

“We’ve had a number of players ruled out but we still have a squad of really good quality, one that’s young but one that has plenty of ability,” he said.

“The encouraging thing is that there were a lot of really capable players who have also missed out. We’re confident with the group we have this time.”

Of the squad used in last year’s successful World Cup campaign, 12 are in this Four Nations touring party while utility Iosia Soliola was an original World Cup selection.

Among the players recalled are second rower Frank Pritchard, who last played for the Kiwis in the Australian Rugby League’s 2008 Centenary Test but missed the World Cup and this year’s Anzac Test through injury.

Prop Fuifui Moimoi made his Kiwi debut in 2007 and returns after a two-year absence on the back of his compelling form for beaten NRL grand finalists the Parramatta Eels.

Grand final-winning Melbourne forwards Adam Blair and Jeff Lima are both in the squad as is centre Krisnan Inu from the beaten Parramatta side. Blair and Lima both played in this year’s Anzac Test but Inu didn’t. Also back after missing the Anzac Test is Manly centre Steve Matai while Benji Marshall is again captain after leading the Kiwis once during the World Cup and again in the May international against the Kangaroos in May.

The Kiwis will be in camp for 10-days, starting in Auckland on Wednesday before moving to Rotorua on Saturday to prepare for their one-off Test against Tonga at Rotorua International Stadium on Wednesday, October 14. They fly out for England on October 16 ahead of their opening Four Nations match against Australia at The Twickenham Stoop on October 24.

2009 KIWIS – SQUAD DETAILS

ADAM BLAIR

(Melbourne Storm)

Born: March 20, 1986

Height: 188cm

Weight: 108kg

Position: Prop/second row

Junior Club: Northland rugby union

Other NRL Clubs: Nil

Kiwi Number: 732

Tests: 12 (2006-2009)

Test Debut: v Australia, 2006

NRL Games: 76 (2006-2009)

GREG EASTWOOD

(Bulldogs)

Born: March 10, 1987

Height: 183cm

Weight: 109kg

Position: Second row/loose forward

Junior Club: Manurewa Marlins (Auckland)

Other NRL Clubs: Brisbane (2005-2008)

Kiwi Number: 737

Tests: 10 (2007-2009)

Test Debut: v Australia, 2007

NRL Games: 87 (2005-2009)

NATHAN FIEN

(St George Illawarra Dragons)

Born: August 1, 1979

Height: 172cm

Weight: 86kg

Position: Halfback/hooker

Junior Club: Mt Isa Brothers (Queensland)

Other NRL Clubs: North Queensland (2000-2004), Warriors (2005-2009)

Kiwi Number: 733

Tests: 9 (2006-2009)

Test Debut: v Australia, 2006

NRL Games: 206 (2000-2009)

KIERAN FORAN

(Manly Sea Eagles)

Born: July 13, 1990

Height: 180cm

Weight: 87kg

Position: Standoff/halfback

Junior Club: Asquith Magpies (NSW)

Other NRL Clubs: Nil

Kiwi Number: 0

Tests: 0

Test Debut: Yet to make debut

NRL Games: 9 (2009)

BRYSON GOODWIN

(Bulldogs)

Born: December 30, 1985

Height: 185cm

Weight: 95kg

Position: Wing

Junior Club: Gymea Gorillas (NSW)

Other NRL Clubs: Cronulla (2007-2008)

Kiwi Number: 0

Tests: 0

Test Debut: Yet to make debut

NRL Games: 33 (2007-2009)

BRONSON HARRISON

(Canberra Raiders)

Born: October 10, 1985

Height: 183cm

Weight: 102kg

Position: Second row

Junior Club: Leichhardt Wanderers (Sydney)

Other NRL Clubs: Wests Tigers (2004-2008)

Kiwi Number: 723

Tests: 5 (2005-2009)

Test Debut: v France, 2005

NRL Games: 103 (2004-2009)

LANCE HOHAIA

(Warriors)

Born: April 1, 1983

Height: 175cm

Weight: 86kg

Position: Utility

Junior Club: Taniwharau (Waikato)

Other NRL Clubs: Nil

Kiwi Number: 695

Tests: 18 (2002-2009)

Test Debut: v Australia, 2002

NRL Games: 140 (2002-2009)

KRISNAN INU

(Parramatta Eels)

Born: March 17, 1987

Height: 185cm

Weight: 99kg

Position: Centre/wing/fullback

Junior Club: Cabramatta (NSW)

Other NRL Clubs: Nil

Kiwi Number: 735

Tests: 4 (2007-2008)

Test Debut: v Australia, 2007

NRL Games: 57 (2007-2009)

THOMAS LEULUAI

(Wigan Warriors)

Born: June 22, 1985

Height: 176cm

Weight: 85kg

Position: Halfback

Junior Club: Otahuhu (Auckland)

Other Clubs: Warriors (2003-2004), London Broncos (2005), Harlequins

(2005-2006)

Kiwi Number: 704

Tests: 18 (2003-2008)

Test Debut: v Australia, 2003

NRL Games: 22 (2003-2004)

Super League Games: 120 (2005-2009)

JEFF LIMA

(Melbourne Storm)

Born: July 4, 1982

Height: 182cm

Weight: 107kg

Position: Prop

Junior Club: Mangere East (Auckland)

Other NRL Clubs: Wests Tigers (2004-2005)

Kiwi Number: 743

Tests: 4 (2007-2009)

Test Debut: v Australia, 2007

NRL Games: 77 (2004-2009)

* NRL games total doesn’t include 2009 grand final v Parramatta

KEVIN LOCKE

(Warriors)

Born: April 4, 1989

Height: 175cm

Weight: 82kg

Position: Fullback/wing

Junior Club: Northcote Tigers (Auckland)

Other NRL Clubs: Nil

Kiwi Number: 0

Tests: 0

Test Debut: Yet to make debut

NRL Games: 12 (2009)

ISSAC LUKE

(South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Born: May 29, 1987

Height: 174cm

Weight: 84kg

Position: Hooker

Junior Club: Hawera Hawks (Taranaki)

Other NRL Clubs: Nil

Kiwi Number: 749

Tests: 6 (2008)

Test Debut: v Australia, 2008

NRL Games: 58 (2007-2009)

BENJI MARSHALL

(Wests Tigers)

Born: February 25, 1985

Height: 182cm

Weight: 92kg

Position: Halfback/standoff

Junior Club: Keebra Park (Queensland)

Other NRL Clubs: Nil

Kiwi Number: 717

Tests: 10 (2005-2009)

Test Debut: v Australia, 2005

NRL Games: 103 (2003-2009)

STEVE MATAI

(Manly Sea Eagles)

Born: August 5, 1984

Height: 177cm

Weight: 94kg

Position: Centre

Junior Club: Ponsonby Ponies (Auckland)

Other NRL Clubs: Nil

Kiwi Number: 730

Tests: 8 (2006-2008)

Test Debut: v Australia, 2006

NRL Games: 89 (2005-2009)

BEN MATULINO

(Warriors)

Born: January 3, 1989

Height: 193cm

Weight: 106kg

Position: Second row

Junior Club: Te Aroha Eels (Wellington)

Other NRL Clubs: Nil

Kiwi Number: 0

Tests: 0

Test Debut: Yet to make debut

NRL Games: 33 (2008-2009)

FUIFUI MOIMOI

(Parramatta Eels)

Born: September 26, 1979

Height: 183cm

Weight: 108kg

Position: Prop

Junior Club: Mt Albert (Auckland)

Other NRL Clubs: Nil

Kiwi Number: 741

Tests: 5

Test Debut: v Australia, 2007

NRL Games: 97 (2004-2009)

JASON NIGHTINGALE

(St George Illawarra Dragons)

Born: September 20, 1986

Height: 183cm

Weight: 91kg

Position: Wing/fullback

Junior Club: Renown United (NSW)

Other NRL Clubs: Nil

Kiwi Number: 747

Tests: 4 (2008-2009)

Test Debut: v Australia, 2008

NRL Games: 58 (2007-2009)

FRANK-PAUL NUUAUSALA

(Sydney Roosters)

Born: February 13, 1987

Height: 184cm

Weight: 114kg

Position: Prop

Junior Club: Mangere East Hawks (Auckland)

Other NRL Clubs: Nil

Kiwi Number: 0

Tests: 0

Test Debut: Yet to make debut

NRL Games: 38 (2007-2009)

NRL Games: 26 (2008-2009)

SAM PERRETT

(Sydney Roosters)

Born: May 14, 1985

Height: 182cm

Weight: 92kg

Position: Wing/fullback

Junior Club: Burleigh Bears (Queensland)

Other NRL Clubs: Nil

Kiwi Number: 744

Tests: 11 (2007-2009)

Test Debut: v Great Britain, 2007

NRL Games: 94 (2004-2009)

FRANK PRITCHARD

(Penrith Panthers)

Born: November 3, 1983

Height: 189cm

Weight: 109kg

Position: Second row

Junior Club: Campbelltown City (NSW)

Other NRL Clubs: Nil

Kiwi Number: 718

Tests: 14 (2005-2008)

Test Debut: v Australia, 2005

NRL Games: 124 (2003-2009)

JUNIOR SAU

(Newcastle Knights)

Born: April 18, 1987

Height: 175cm

Weight: 102kg

Position: Centre

Junior Club: Logan Brothers (Queensland)

Other NRL Clubs: Nil

Kiwi Number: 0

Tests: 0

Test Debut: Yet to make debut

NRL Games: 37 (2008-2009)

IOSIA SOLIOLA

(Sydney Roosters)

Born: August 4, 1986

Height: 190cm

Weight: 99kg

Position: Centre/second row

Junior Club: Ponsonby (Auckland)

Other NRL Clubs: Nil

Kiwi Number: 729

Tests: 8 (2006-2009)

Test Debut: v Australia, 2006

NRL Games: 92 (2004-2009)

JARED WAEREA-HARGREAVES

(Manly Sea Eagles)

Born: January 20, 1989

Height: 190cm

Weight: 110kg

Position: Second row/loose forward

Junior Club: North Sydney rugby union

Other NRL Clubs: Nil

Kiwi Number: 0

Tests: 0

Test Debut: Yet to make debut

NRL Games: 6 (2009)

2009 KIWIS – SCHEDULE

Wednesday, October 14 v Tonga International Stadium,

(One-off Test) Rotorua

Saturday, October 24 v Australia Twickenham Stoop,

(Gillette Four Nations) London

Saturday, October 31 v France Toulouse

(Gillette Four Nations)

Saturday, November 7 v England Galpharm Stadium,

(Gillette Four Nations) Huddersfield

Saturday, November 14 Final Elland Road,

(Gillette Four Nations) Leeds

ENDS

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