Skip to Content. Skip to Navigation.
League

News

Two changes for Kiwis

Kiwis add Matulino, Leuluai for opener

10/26/2011 06:16:27 PM

Related Links

The Kiwis have made two changes for their Four Nations opener with the Kangaroos on Friday night (UK time), recalling prop Ben Matulino and utility Thomas Leuluai.

Coach Stephen Kearney has opted against a cull in personnel after the 42-6 drubbing at the hands of Australia in the one-off Test in Newcastle a week and a half ago.

There has been only one non-enforced change as Leuluai, who was not flown out from his Wigan base for the first Kangaroos match, replaces Nathan Fien in the hooking rotation.

Matulino takes the place of Warriors team-mate Russell Packer, who was banned for one match due to a dangerous tackle on Darren Lockyer.

The only other switch is internal, as Sika Manu is rotated into the starting line-up in place of Alex Glenn, who debuted in the Kiwis' previous Test.

"We obviously weren't pleased with the way we performed in Newcastle," Kearney said.

"We've worked hard since we've been here to give us the best possible chance of producing the kind of performance we expect of ourselves.

"We set high standards within the team and we all know those weren't achieved the last time we played Australia."

The only high point of the Newcastle hiding was the continued form of Warriors whiz kid Kevin Locke.

The 22-year-old fullback was the Kiwis' man of the match as he scored their only try, ran for 161m from 15 runs and also produced eight tackle breaks.

He has embarked on a Four Nations tour before, in 2009, but wasn't selected for any of the Tests.

"It is going to be very tough on Friday night," Locke said.

"We've just got to try to forget about the game we had in Newcastle. It was a poor performance by us but it's a new week, a new team and hopefully we can bounce back with a good performance."

Kiwis: 1. Kevin Locke, 2. Kalifa Fai Fai Loa, 3. Lewis Brown, 4. Gerald Beale, 5. Jason Nightingale, 6. Benji Marshall (c), 7. Kieran Foran, 8. Ben Matulino, 9. Issac Luke, 10. Sam McKendry, 11. Sika Manu, 12. Simon Mannering, 13. Jeremy Smith
Interchange: 14. Thomas Leuluai, 15. Fuifui Moimoi, 16. Alex Glenn, 17. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

You Might Also Like

Most Read Articles

Cold tyres almost cost Webber dearly
Cold tyres almost cost Webber dearly
Motorsport
05/27/2012 10:46:36 PM
Monaco Grand Prix winner Mark Webber described the end of Sunday's race as 'very strange' ...
 
 
Knights sign Broncos discard
League
05/28/2012 08:27:12 AM
 
Yakubu set to leave Blackburn
Football
05/28/2012 09:00:45 AM
 
Freo's failure comes down to talent
AFL
05/27/2012 11:02:27 PM
 
Leilua charged and stood down
League
05/28/2012 04:01:25 AM
 
Sea Eagles to accept Matai's ban
League
05/28/2012 05:41:32 AM
 
Bombers look to set up season
AFL
05/28/2012 01:41:21 AM
 
Gritty Tigers do Sheens proud
League
05/27/2012 10:01:48 PM
 
 
 

Fantasy NRL: Most Popular Players

Our Say

NRL Round 12 talking points
Adam Lucius
Given his appalling judiciary record, Steve Matai can consider himself very lucky not to ...more
Jonathan Healy
Title slipping away from Broncos
Jonathan Healy
The Brisbane Broncos are currently in a form slump and they can't win the premiership ...more
 

Galleries

The Weekend That Was
28/05/2012 1:40:06 PM
Take a look back at all the weekend sport from around the world. We have it all covered from AFL to Baseball to Barefoot Running and even some Sailing. So take some time off and look back at what you might have missed.
NRL- The Year So Far
7/05/2012 11:30:06 AM
The NRL season is off to a flying start. Melbourne Storm are 9-0, the Cowboys are one of the highest scoring teams and the Eels are in need of a win or 3. So let’s look at the best photos of the first 9 rounds. Sit back , take some time off and enjoy.