Kiwi Team for
2nd Tri-Nations game named

Kiwis coach Brian McClennan has made four changes to his side for this Friday's test match against the Kangaroos.

Bradford Bulls centre Shontayne Hape and Hull's Motu Tony have been named to replace Clinton Toopi and Lance Hohaia who are both injured.

Penrith second rower Tony Puletua and Iafeta Palea'aesina have also come into the side for the game which kicks off at 8pm at Auckland's Ericsson Stadium.

"Both Shontayne and Motu have been in good form," McClennan said.

"Having to replace Clinton and Lance is a blow but it's a good thing we have some very talented players to replace them with.

"Motu played in the New Zealand A side that beat the Australian Invitational team last Saturday and of course Shontayne was one of the top performers in the Bradford side that won the Super League grand final.

"So both of them are match fit and shouldn't have any trouble slotting straight into the team.

"Tony and Iafeta had great games for the New Zealand A side in Sydney and have pushed their way in to the team."

McClennan said he was very happy to have such a great pool of talent available to him for selection.

"It's always good to have a squad full of top quality players," he said.

"It makes selections tough - but that's not a bad thing.

"It's actually great to know we have so many players pushing for places in the test team. Obviously they all offer something different to our game and that's a real plus."

Both Toopi and Hohaia will remain with the Kiwis touring squad which leaves for England on Saturday.

Toopi damaged his knee during Saturday's 38-28 win over Australia. An MRI scan done on Monday revealed a tear of the Posterior Cruciate Ligament in his right knee.

Hohaia has also had an MRI scan which showed no bone injuries however there is some ligament damage to his left ankle.

"We are very confident that both players will recover quickly enough to play a part in the Gillette Tri-Nations series," McClennan said.

Nathan Cayless, who was named on the interchange bench for last Saturday's game, has stayed in Sydney to be with his partner who is having a baby.

The team to play Australia at Ericsson Stadium on Friday, October 21 is:

1. Brent Webb 2. Jake Webster 3. Paul Whatuira 4. Shontayne Hape 5. Manu Vatuvei 6. Nigel Vagana 7. Stacey Jones 8. Paul Rauhihi 9. Motu Tony 10. Ruben Wiki ? 11. David Kidwell 12. David Solomona 13. Louis Anderson

Interchange: 14. David Faiumu, 15. Roy Asotasi, 16. Iafeta Palea'aesina, 17. Tony Puletua. McClennan has also announced his full Gillette Tri-Nations squad.

Included in the squad are English Super League grand finalists Lesley Vainikolo, Ali Lauiti'iti and Hape.

The squad has also been bolstered by New Zealand A players Awen Guttenbeil, Bronson Harrison, Tony and Puletua.

The New Zealand Kiwis squad is: Louis Anderson, Roy Asotasi, David Faiumu, Awen Guttenbeil, Shontayne Hape, Bronson Harrison, Lance Hohaia, Stacey Jones, David Kidwell, Ali Lauiti'iti, Iafeta Palea'aesina, Frank Pritchard, Tony Puletua, Paul Rauhihi, David Solomona, Motu Tony, Clinton Toopi, Nigel Vagana, Lesley Vainikolo, Manu Vatuvei, Brent Webb, Jake Webster, Paul Whatuira, Ruben Wiki.

The Kiwis are training today (Tuesday, October 18) at Ericsson Stadium from 2.30pm.

More info: www.tri-nations.com.au Discussion: Tri-Nations Forum at http://forums.leagueunlimited.com/forumdisplay.php?f=130