Webster into Kiwis squad

Melbourne Storm winger Jake Webster has been called into the 21-man New Zealand Tri-Nations squad which assembled for a training camp in Sydney over the weekend.

The Kiwis squad is preparing for the first game of the Gillette Tri-Nations series against the Kangaroos on Saturday night at Telstra Stadium.

Webster who was named last week in the Kiwis 40 man squad, has been promoted into the 21-man squad replacing Roosters centre Iosia Soliola who failed to recover from a knee injury.

The Kiwis squad will be trimmed to 17 on Tuesday and Webster is likely to make his senior international debut on Saturday night on the wing.

Kiwis coach Brian McLennan believes Webster brings plenty to his squad.

"Jake is a specialist right winger and he's very good at kick returns, dummy half and yardage runs," he said.

Webster has had an impressive season in 2005, his progress officially recognised on Friday night when he took out Melbourne Storm's 'Most Improved Player' award at the club's awards presentation dinner.

"It's overwhelming, everything's happened really quickly," Webster said. "I was with my brother on Sunday morning when I got the call."

"I've just gotta keep going and not let it get to my head. I'm very excited, a bit nervous and I'm just learning a lot now," he said.

Webster who joings Storm team mate David Kidwell in the squad, is likely to lineup on the New Zealand wing opposite another Storm team mate Matt King.

www.melbournestorm.com.au

For further information contact the Melbourne Storm: 03 8412 4900

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