23.06.1999
27.05.1999
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| Rigorous tests for Maori hopefuls 23.06.1999 |
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| The Aotearoa Maori Rugby League team returned from Papua New Guinea yesterday having the rigours of the tropics and banked considerable credibility in their push for international recognition. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bell conceded that, along with the sickness, it was his decision in giving all a run that may have cost a clean sweep. Of 21 players taken away 20 got a test jersey, only Gavin Welsh missing out after suffering with compartment syndrome in his calf muscles. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Maori side have thus won the right to play Great Britain or Australia in their stand-down week during the Tri-Series involving the Kiwis in October. The Aussies have ndicated they're unhappy at the prospect but New Zealand Rugby League chairman Gerald Ryan said they'll be held to the already-signed agreement to stage the game. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tawera Nikau - Captain - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bell had been to PNG once before and knew some of what to expect but admitted to some surprise at how primitive conditions were in the central highlands. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The team was billeted at an Anglican mission, razor wire ringing the perimeter. Each morning the locals would trek off to work carrying knives, machetes, axes and tomahawks and when they turned up for the game similarly equipped it made for an intimidating atmosphere. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| It was pretty scary but what they really wanted was to see us do the haka. We'd done it before the game and they got quite carried away by it. It was scary but magnificent. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The ground, the surface of which ran in undulating waves, was chocka. After the Maori turned around a 12-point deficit to win 28-24 the locals tore down the three-metre security fence and invaded the field. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aside from the tri-series, where Bell will try to attract as many of the overseas-based eligible players as he can in his first look at a World Cup team, the result is likely to lead to a return invite. PNG indicated they would like to play their full side, including NRL stars like Marcus Bai and Adrian Lam, against the Maori in the Cup run-up next year. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Rock Guns For Maori Selection | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All in the squad had performed well, he said, singling out only captain Shane Edwards for special mention for his work both on and off the field. The step up to international level along with the heat, humidity, altitude, strange environment and change in diet and other routines had found some out. It was that learning experience he wanted. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| We believe we'll do well in the World Cup - well enough that they'll want us there for the next one. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| But their other pool sides, Ireland and Scotland, would also be scouring the globe for eligible players so nothing could be taken for granted. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NZ Maori may meet Aussies in semis 27.05.1999 |
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| NZ Maori Coach - Cameron Bell | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Maori team to play in rugby league's World Cup next year have a great chance to win through to a semifinal after the draw made in England yesterday grouped them with Ireland, Samoa and Scotland. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Kiwis, who will have first choice of any players eligible for New Zealand, are in with hosts Wales, the Cook Islands and a qualifier to come from playoffs among the United States, Canada, Japan, Italy and Morocco. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coach Cameron Bell and assistant Len Pene are fairly settled on the domestically based team they will take, but the Maori Rugby League was not able to release names yesterday because it was still checking availability of a couple of the 21 players. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| And they are serious about the World Cup campaign, setting up a business with the intention of using the opportunity to showcase Maori business. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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