Stern test ahead
New Zealand picks Bradford's Paul for fly-half
Posted: Wednesday October 07, 1998 11:35 AM
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Paul is eligible to play for New Zealand because Bradford missed the finals in England Allsport UK/Allsport |
BRISBANE, Australia (AP) -- Bradford's Robbie Paul has been picked ahead of Gene Ngamu as New Zealand fly-half for Friday's second rugby league test against Australia.
Paul became available for selection when his club team missed out on the finals in England. New Zealand, which holds a 1-0 lead in the three-test series, has nine Auckland Warriors in the 17-man squad.
Rookie forwards Nathan Cayless and Tony Puletua will make their international debuts for the Kiwis on Friday.
Cayless, the Parramatta prop, and Penrith backrower Puletua were both selected on the interchange bench along with Tony Iro and Ngamu. Matthew Ridge will captain the side.
New Zealand coach Frank Endacott's career is in doubt following the sale of the Warriors and speculation that he will be sacked by the club's new owners. Endacott's predicament, and the Kiwis' failure to win a series against Australia in 45 years, have been cited as the main motivating factors for New Zealand ahead of the match.
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