Playing for the enemy
Cayless gets callup for New Zealand
Posted: Tuesday September 29, 1998 10:51 AM
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) -- Young Australian-born prop Nathan Cayless was named Tuesday in New Zealand's rugby league squad for the October 9 second test against Australia.
Cayless, 20, qualifies for the Kiwis because both his parents were born in New Zealand. "I've always thought of myself as a Kiwi and I've always wanted to represent New Zealand," said Cayless.
He is one of five newcomers to the 23-strong squad from which the final 17 will be chosen to face the Kangaroos in Brisbane.
Prop is one of the problem positions for the Kiwis, as John Lomax, Terry Hermansson and Jason Lowrie are all the unavailability through either suspension or injury.
The other uncapped players are Canberra winger Lesley Vainikolo, Canterbury center Willie Talau, Penrith forward Tony Puletua and Auckland Warrior prop Ali Lauitiiti.
British-based players Henry and Robbie Paul and Richie Blackmore have also been included, but whether they are ultimately available depend on whether their clubs are still in the English club playoffs.
Kiwi coach Frank Endacott admitted that he did not know until two weeks ago that Cayless was eligible for New Zealand selection.
"I did some homework on him and watched some tapes of him," Endacott said. "I found out that he was interested in playing for New Zealand rather than Australia, so I got on the case straight away."
New Zealand won the opening test of the series in April.
New Zealand
Matthew Ridge (Warriors), Sean Hoppe (Warriors), Lesley Vainikolo (Canberra), Richard Barnett (Sydney City), Nigel Vagana (Warriors), Kevin Iro (Warriors), Ruben Wiki (Canberra), Willie Talau (Canterbury), Richard Blackmore (Leeds),
Robbie Paul (Bradford), Gene Ngamu (Warriors), Stacey Jones (Warriors), Henry Paul (Wigan), Syd Eru (Warriors), Joe Vagana (Warriors), Quentin Pongia (Warriors), Nathan Cayless (Parramatta), Tony Puletua (Penrith), Stephen Kearney (Warriors), Jarrod McCracken (Parramatta), Logan Swann (Warriors), Tony Iro (Adelaide), Ali Lauitiiti (Warriors).
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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