Zeb TAIA [
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Sun May 2, 2010
by NZRL
Three players are in line to make their Kiwi debuts after coach Stephen Kearney named an 18-man squad tonight to prepare for the 2010 Anzac Test against Australia at Melbourne's AAMI Park on Friday night.
The majority of the 18 players were involved in last year's Four Nations campaign in England and France but Kearney and fellow selectors Howie Tamati, Tony Iro and Tawera Nikau have added newcomers in Brisbane utility Alex Glenn, Warriors hooker Aaron Heremaia and Newcastle back rower Zeb Taia.
Formerly with the Northcote Tigers in Auckland, Glenn (21) isn't a complete stranger to a Kiwi camp. Now in his second season of NRL football, he was brought in to provide cover for last year's Anzac Test in Brisbane.
Like Glenn, the well-travelled Heremaia (27) began his NRL career only last year but has been the Warriors' first-choice hooker so far this season, making his 19th first-grade appearance against Canberra last night.
Taia (25), who began his NRL career with Parramatta in 2007, makes the squad this time after being in contention for the Kiwis' Four Nations campaign last year only to be ruled out with injury.
Returning to the international scene after last playing in New Zealand's 2008 World Cup final victory is prop Sam Rapira. He missed each of the Kiwis' five Tests last year through injury. Melbourne back rower Sika Manu, also a World Cup winner, is back after playing in the 2009 Anzac Test but missing the Four Nations through injury.
Among the players out of contention through injury for this Test were experienced internationals Manu Vatuvei, Simon Mannering, Roy Asotasi, Jeremy Smith, Frank Pritchard, Fuifui Moimoi and Dene Halatau.
But Kearney isn't concerned about who's missing.
"Our focus can only be on the players we have," he said.
"Injuries are very much a part of our game. Rather than worrying about those, we're excited about the players we've been able to bring together for what is a very important match for us in what is a big year for the Kiwis.
"Zeb was a real chance for the Four Nations last year and Alex was also in the mix. The big mover has been Aaron who has really impressed us with his form for the Warriors this season."
Benji Marshall will again captain the side but Kearney is yet to confirm his final line-up. The squad will have its first training run in Melbourne tomorrow afternoon.
2010 KIWIS v AUSTRALIA - SQUAD DETAILS
ADAM BLAIR
(Melbourne)
Born: March 20, 1986
Height: 188cm
Weight: 108kg
Position: Prop/second row
Junior Club: Northland rugby union
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 732
Tests: 16 (2006-2009)
Test Debut: v Australia, 2006
Test Points: 4 (1 try)
NRL Games: 84 (2006-2010)
KIERAN FORAN
(Manly)
Born: July 13, 1990
Height: 180cm
Weight: 87kg
Position: Standoff/halfback
Junior Club: Asquith Magpies (NSW)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 757
Tests: 1 (2009)
Test Debut: v England, 2009
Test Points: 0
NRL Games: 17 (2009-2010)
ALEX GLENN
(Brisbane)
Born: August 31, 1988
Height: 181cm
Weight: 95kg
Position: Utility
Junior Club: Northcote Tigers (Auckland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 0
Tests: 0
Test Debut: Yet to make debut
Test Points: 0
NRL Games: 34 (2009-2010)
BRONSON HARRISON
(Canberra)
Born: October 10, 1985
Height: 183cm
Weight: 102kg
Position: Second row
Junior Club: Leichhardt Wanderers (NSW)
Other NRL Clubs: Wests Tigers (2004-2008)
Kiwi Number: 723
Tests: 7 (2005-2009)
Test Debut: v France, 2005
Test Points: 4 (1 try)
NRL Games: 111 (2004-2010)
AARON HEREMAIA
(Warriors)
Born: September 19, 1982
Height: 177cm
Weight: 89kg
Position: Utility
Junior Club: Manurewa Marlins (Auckland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 0
Tests: 0
Test Debut: Yet to make debut
Test Points: 0
NRL Games: 19 (2009-2010)
LANCE HOHAIA
(Warriors)
Born: April 1, 1983
Height: 175cm
Weight: 86kg
Position: Utility
Junior Club: Taniwharau (Waikato)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 695
Tests: 21 (2002-2009)
Test Debut: v Australia, 2002
Test Points: 40 (6 tries, 8 goals)
NRL Games: 148 (2002-2010)
ISSAC LUKE
(South Sydney)
Born: May 29, 1987
Height: 174cm
Weight: 84kg
Position: Hooker
Junior Club: Hawera Hawks (Taranaki)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 749
Tests: 10 (2008-2009)
Test Debut: v Australia, 2008
Test Points: 18 (1 try, 7 goals)
NRL Games: 66 (2007-2010)
SIKA MANU
(Melbourne)
Born: January 22, 1987
Height: 180cm
Weight: 107kg
Position: Second row
Junior Club: Randwick Kingfishers (Wellington)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 750
Tests: 5 (2008-2009)
Test Debut: v Tonga, 2008
Test Points: 4 (1 try)
NRL Games: 37 (2007-2009)
BENJI MARSHALL (captain)
(Wests Tigers)
Born: February 25, 1985
Height: 182cm
Weight: 89kg
Position: Halfback/standoff
Junior Club: Keebra Park (Queensland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 717
Tests: 14 (2005-2009)
Test Debut: v Australia, 2005
Test Points: 30 (6 tries, 3 goals)
NRL Games: 111 (2003-2010)
STEVE MATAI
(Manly)
Born: August 5, 1984
Height: 177cm
Weight: 94kg
Position: Centre
Junior Club: Ponsonby Ponies (Auckland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 730
Tests: 11 (2006-2009)
Test Debut: v Australia, 2006
Test Points: 10 (1 try, 3 goals)
NRL Games: 97 (2005-2010)
BEN MATULINO
(Warriors)
Born: January 3, 1989
Height: 193cm
Weight: 108kg
Position: Second row
Junior Club: Te Aroha Eels (Wellington)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 756
Tests: 2 (2009)
Test Debut: v France, 2009
Test Points: 4 (1 try)
NRL Games: 41 (2008-2010)
JASON NIGHTINGALE
(St George Illawarra)
Born: September 20, 1986
Height: 183cm
Weight: 91kg
Position: Wing/fullback
Junior Club: Renown United (NSW)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 747
Tests: 4 (2008-2009)
Test Debut: v Australia, 2008
Test Points: 12 (3 tries)
NRL Games: 66 (2007-2010)
FRANK-PAUL NUUAUSALA
(Roosters)
Born: February 13, 1987
Height: 184cm
Weight: 107kg
Position: Prop
Junior Club: Mangere East Hawks (Auckland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 754
Tests: 4 (2009)
Test Debut: v Tonga, 2009
Test Points: 8 (2 tries)
NRL Games: 46 (2008-2010)
SAM PERRETT
(Roosters)
Born: May 14, 1985
Height: 182cm
Weight: 92kg
Position: Wing/fullback
Junior Club: Burleigh Bears (Queensland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 744
Tests: 15 (2007-2009)
Test Debut: v Great Britain, 2007
Test Points: 36 (9 tries)
NRL Games: 102 (2004-2010)
SAM RAPIRA
(Warriors)
Born: April 8, 1987
Height: 184cm
Weight: 105kg
Position: Prop
Junior Club: Hukanui (Waikato)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 736
Tests: 11 (2007-2008)
Test Debut: v Australia, 2007
Test Points: 0
NRL Games: 94 (2006-2010)
JUNIOR SA'U
(Newcastle)
Born: April 18, 1987
Height: 175cm
Weight: 102kg
Position: Centre
Junior Club: Logan Brothers (Queensland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 753
Tests: 4 (2009)
Test Debut: v Tonga, 2009
Test Points: 12 (3 tries)
NRL Games: 43 (2008-2010)
ZEB TAIA
(Newcastle)
Born: October 11, 1984
Height: 185cm
Weight: 106kg
Position: Second row/loose forward
Junior Club: St Clair Comets (NSW)
Other NRL Clubs: Parramatta (2006-2007)
Kiwi Number: 0
Tests: 0
Test Debut: Yet to make debut
Test Points: 0
NRL Games: 65 (2006-2010)
JARED WAEREA-HARGREAVES
(Roosters)
Born: January 20, 1989
Height: 190cm
Weight: 108kg
Position: Prop/second row
Junior Club: North Sydney rugby union
Other NRL Clubs: Manly
Kiwi Number: 755
Tests: 4 (2009)
Test Debut: v Tonga, 2009
Test Points: 8 (2 tries)
NRL Games: 9 (2009-2010)
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF NEW ZEALAND RUGBY LEAGUE
Tue September 1, 2009
by Matthew O'Neill
Newcastle and Penrith will decide the final spot in the top eight when they meet in the second last match of the regular NRL season this Sunday at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
Kick off for the big clash will be at 3:00pm with the winner to take all and march on into the finals.
Both sides had a great opportunity in the previous round to secure a finals berth, but both Penrith and Newcastle were woeful in their losses against Parramatta and Canberra respectively.
Scott Dureau will come into the Knights five-eighth position with Ben Rogers to miss the clash through suspension after striking Raiders winger Daniel Vidot in Newcastle's 30-14 loss against Canberra last night.
Second rower Zeb Taia has been named in the side despite sustaining a shoulder injury from a chicken wing tackle by Canberra's Bronson Harrision, which he was cited for by the NRL judiciary today.
Penrith coach Matthew Elliott has retained fullback Jarrod Sammut despite producing a woeful performance against the Eels on Friday night and was eventually hooked off the field by Elliott after letting in a soft try from a one-on-one strip by Luke Burt in the ingoal area.
Newcastle on home soil head into the clash as favourites and can finish as high as 6th if they are to gain victory and both Parramatta and Brisbane lose.
The Panthers only chance is to finish in 8th position where they'll meet the Bulldogs or Dragons in the opening week of the finals.
KNIGHTS:
1 Kurt Gidley [c]
2 Akulia Uate
3 Junior Sau
4 Adam MacDougall
5 Cooper Vuna
6 Scott Dureau
7 Jarrod Mullen
8 Mark Taufua
9 Isaac DeGois
10 Chris Houston
11 Steve Simpson
12 Zeb Taia
13 Matt Hilder
14 Wes Naiqama
15 Marvin Karawana
16 Richie Fa'aoso
17 Danny Wicks
18 Cory Paterson
(one to be omitted)
Coach: Rick Stone
PANTHERS:
1 Jarrod Sammut
2 Junior Tia-Kilifi
3 Michael Jennings
4 Brad Tighe
5 Michael Gordon
6 Wade Graham
7 Luke Walsh
8 Matthew Bell
9 Paul Aiton
10 Frank Puletua
11 Trent Waterhouse [c]
12 Frank Pritchard
13 Luke Lewis
14 Nathan Smith
15 Jospeh Paulo
16 Maurice Blair
17 Adam Woolnough
19 Tim Grant
20 Gavin Cooper
(two to be omitted)
Coach: Matthew Elliott
======================================================================================================
 2011 NRL Telstra Premiership
Newcastle Knights
5 games; 2 tries, 8 points.
[View] Round 1 [13 Mar 11] W 42-8 v Panthers (A). [SR]
[View] Round 2 [19 Mar 11] W 34-22 v Cowboys (A). [SR]
[View] Round 3 [27 Mar 11] L 12-26 v Sea Eagles (A). [SR] 8 Pts; 2t
[View] Round 4 [03 Apr 11] L 18-20 v Dragons (H). [SR]
[View] Finals Week 1 [11 Sep 11] L 8-18 v Melbourne. [BE]
======================================================================================================
2010 NRL Telstra Premiership
Newcastle Knights
19 games; 3 tries, 12 points.
[View] Round 1 [13 Mar 10] W 20-16 v Bulldogs (A). [BE]
[View] Round 2 [20 Mar 10] L 14-20 v Storm (H). [BE]
[View] Round 3 [27 Mar 10] L 12-36 v Sea Eagles (A). [LK]
[View] Round 7 [24 Apr 10] L 6-26 v Sharks (A). [BE]
[View] Round 8 [30 Apr 10] W 30-22 v Broncos (A). [SR]
[View] Round 11 [21 May 10] L 6-23 v Tigers (H). [BE]
[View] Round 13 [05 Jun 10] L 10-28 v Panthers (A). [SR]
[View] Round 14 [13 Jun 10] L 24-32 v Warriors (H). [SR] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 15 [21 Jun 10] W 6-4 v Eels (H). [SR]
[View] Round 16 [27 Jun 10] W 24-16 v Titans (A). [SR] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 18 [11 Jul 10] W 21-10 v Sharks (H). [SR]
[View] Round 19 [18 Jul 10] L 18-52 v Raiders (A). [SR]
[View] Round 20 [24 Jul 10] L 24-28 v Cowboys (A). [SR]
[View] Round 21 [02 Aug 10] W 32-14 v Sea Eagles (H). [SR]
[View] Round 22 [08 Aug 10] W 30-6 v Bulldogs (H). [SR]
[View] Round 23 [15 Aug 10] L 10-22 v Warriors (A). [SR]
[View] Round 24 [20 Aug 10] W 44-18 v Broncos (H). [SR]
[View] Round 25 [28 Aug 10] L 18-26 v Dragons (H). [SR]
[View] Round 26 [05 Sep 10] L 4-34 v Storm (A). [SR] 4 Pts; 1t
======================================================================================================
2010 International Test Matches
New Zealand
1 games; [View] Anzac Test Match [07 May 10] L 8-12 v Australia (A). [SR]
======================================================================================================
2009 NRL Telstra Premiership
Newcastle Knights
24 games; 4 tries, 16 points.
[View] Round 1 [15 Mar 09] L 20-34 v Titans (A). [LK]
[View] Round 2 [23 Mar 09] W 24-12 v Sharks (A). [LK]
[View] Round 3 [29 Mar 09] L 12-22 v Rabbitohs (A). [LK]
[View] Round 4 [05 Apr 09] W 26-12 v Sea Eagles (H). [SR] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 5 [12 Apr 09] W 24-22 v Warriors (H). [SR]
[View] Round 6 [18 Apr 09] W 24-18 v Dragons (A). [SR]
[View] Round 7 [26 Apr 09] L 24-26 v Tigers (A). [SR]
[View] Round 8 [02 May 09] W 28-12 v Broncos (H). [SR]
[View] Round 9 [10 May 09] W 23-18 v Titans (H). [SR] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 10 [16 May 09] W 38-6 v Roosters (A). [SR] 8 Pts; 2t
[View] Round 11 [25 May 09] L 10-36 v Cowboys (A). [SR]
[View] Round 12 [31 May 09] W 22-14 v Bulldogs (H). [SR]
[View] Round 13 [07 Jun 09] L 18-20 v Eels (H). [SR]
[View] Round 14 [12 Jun 09] L 0-13 v Warriors (A). [SR]
[View] Round 16 [29 Jun 09] W 25-20 v Rabbitohs (H). [SR]
[View] Round 17 [04 Jul 09] L 14-18 v Storm (A). [SR]
[View] Round 18 [11 Jul 09] W 23-4 v Raiders (H). [SR]
[View] Round 20 [24 Jul 09] L 20-44 v Sea Eagles (A). [SR]
[View] Round 21 [01 Aug 09] L 18-30 v Roosters (H). [SR]
[View] Round 22 [09 Aug 09] L 8-40 v Eels (A). [SR]
[View] Round 23 [17 Aug 09] W 26-14 v Storm (H). [SR]
[View] Round 24 [22 Aug 09] W 32-26 v Cowboys (H). [SR]
[View] Round 25 [31 Aug 09] L 14-30 v Raiders (A). [SR]
[View] Finals Week 1 [12 Sep 09] L 12-26 v Bulldogs. [SR]
======================================================================================================
2008 NRL Telstra Premiership
Newcastle Knights
20 games; 1 tries, 4 points.
[View] Round 1 [15 Mar 08] W 30-14 v Raiders (H). [SR]
[View] Round 2 [22 Mar 08] W 13-12 v Sea Eagles (H). [LK]
[View] Round 3 [28 Mar 08] L 23-24 v Eels (A). [LK]
[View] Round 4 [06 Apr 08] L 20-26 v Warriors (A). [LK]
[View] Round 5 [13 Apr 08] L 22-34 v Broncos (H). [SR]
[View] Round 6 [20 Apr 08] W 34-20 v Roosters (A). [LK]
[View] Round 8 [03 May 08] W 13-12 v Gold Coast (H). [LK]
[View] Round 9 [12 May 08] L 4-18 v Storm (A). [LK]
[View] Round 10 [18 May 08] L 26-38 v Tigers (H). [LK]
[View] Round 12 [31 May 08] L 16-18 v Warriors (H). [LK]
[View] Round 13 [07 Jun 08] W 22-12 v Bulldogs (A). [LK]
[View] Round 14 [16 Jun 08] W 30-18 v Cowboys (A). [LK]
[View] Round 15 [22 Jun 08] L 14-16 v Roosters (H). [LK]
[View] Round 16 [28 Jun 08] L 12-28 v Sea Eagles (A). [LK]
[View] Round 17 [05 Jul 08] L 16-24 v Dragons (H). [LK]
[View] Round 18 [11 Jul 08] W 30-18 v Panthers (A). [LK]
[View] Round 19 [19 Jul 08] L 13-16 v Sharks (A). [LK] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 20 [27 Jul 08] W 39-12 v Rabbitohs (H). [LK]
[View] Round 21 [04 Aug 08] W 32-12 v Eels (H). [LK]
[View] Round 26 [05 Sep 08] L 2-24 v Broncos (A). [BE]
======================================================================================================
2007 NRL Telstra Premiership
Newcastle Knights
10 games; 1 tries, 4 points.
[View] Round 16 [29 Jun 07] L 25-28 v Rabbitohs (H). [BE]
[View] Round 17 [09 Jul 07] W 34-10 v Eels (A). [SR]
[View] Round 18 [16 Jul 07] L 0-44 v Storm (A). [SR]
[View] Round 19 [21 Jul 07] L 17-20 v Roosters (H). [SR]
[View] Round 20 [28 Jul 07] L 10-52 v Warriors (A). [LK]
[View] Round 21 [03 Aug 07] L 4-20 v Dragons (H). [SR]
[View] Round 22 [10 Aug 07] L 16-50 v Sea Eagles (A). [SR]
[View] Round 23 [19 Aug 07] L 12-46 v Panthers (H). [SR] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 24 [24 Aug 07] L 18-34 v Cowboys (H). [BE]
[View] Round 25 [31 Aug 07] W 26-24 v Tigers (A). [BE]
======================================================================================================
2007 NRL Telstra Premiership
Parramatta Eels
3 games; 1 tries, 4 points.
[View] Round 7 [29 Apr 07] L 12-38 v Gold Coast (A). [BE]
[View] Round 8 [05 May 07] W 28-10 v Roosters (H). [BE]
[View] Round 9 [11 May 07] L 12-22 v Sea Eagles (A). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t
======================================================================================================
2006 VB NSWRL Premier League
Parramatta Eels
3 tries, 12 points.
======================================================================================================
2006 NRL Telstra Premiership
Parramatta Eels
3 games; 1 tries, 4 points.
[View] Round 5 [09 Apr 06] L 18-44 v Panthers (H). [SR] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 7 [21 Apr 06] W 28-16 v Tigers (H). [BE]
[View] Round 11 [19 May 06] L 20-30 v Panthers (A). [BE]
======================================================================================================
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Taia, Zeb
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