KIWI Rugby League News and Opinions

Former KIWI Captain Nathan Cayless is set to land the Hull KR head coaching gig for 2027.

The 48-year-old will succeed Willie Peters as he departs England at the end of this year to focus on the maiden introduction of the PNG Chiefs into the NRL competition.

Four assistant coaching roles since his playing retirement, Cayless will step up to his first head-coach role.

The 2008 World Cup winning skipper will link up with former team mate Peta Hiku, who has now played 84 matches for Hull KR, scoring 32 tries.

Cayless played 259 games for the Parramatta Eels between 1997-2010.

Story by Leo Twemblo
Zero Tackle

Plenty of young and not so young KIWIS playing some great footy 🏉

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Wheels up!

SAMOA smash TONGA
at soaked Suncorp Stadium

Samoa shut Tonga out of the match to skip to a 16 point lead. They were powerfully slick and certainly benefited from having a match the week before.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was excellent at fullback, block busting second rower Jeremiah Nanai earnt man of the match honours with his try scoring double.

Romey Luai controlled play effectively for Samoa, Payne Hass scored on his Samoan debut, while Eels enforcer Junior Paulo was also a stand-out in the 34-6 pumping.

The previous loss to the KIWIS will be long forgotten as they are the first team through to this years Final. No matter the opposition they will be mighty hard to beat.

What a colossal match up next weekend with New Zealand hosting Tonga, and due to the 3 team Championship, Tonga will need to win by 17 points to get a chance to exact revenge on Samoa.

The KIWIS will also be better for having played a match, this qualifying game will be played at Eden Park on November 2nd.

The Curtain raiser is not to be missed also as the KIWI Ferns take on the rampaging Jillaroos.

POSSIBLE or PROBABLE
Next KIWIS Line-Up?

KIWIS MAY HAVE TO FACE TOUGH TONGA TWICE

New Zealand v Mate Ma’a Tonga at Eden Park, in Auckland on November 2nd could be followed by a rematch six days later in the
Final at CommBank Stadium, in Sydney on November 8.

This is of course only one possibility as all teams are yet to play each-other.

We threw our predicted Team together for the KIWIS next match, nothing too controversial. But it would be great to see Broncos big bopper Xavier Willison get a start, as well as a change at the back in the no.1 jersey.

Stacey Jones stated Willison got the nod in this year's squad over his club-mate Jordan Riki for his "sheer size, and is another big body."
Hopefully the 23 year old is unleashed for his Test debut hot-off winning the NRL Premiership.

The other change could be at Fullback, with dynamic Gold Coast flyer Keoni Kini hopefully getting an opportunity to add spark across the park. Still only 21 years old, this would be his 4th Test appearance, if selected.

Other selection queries Jones might face is whether to give other Squad members, Seb Kris or Scott Sorensen match-day minutes, or does he stick with the same successful 17 that defeated Samoa,
by six points?

*Mulitalo has been ruled out