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Home , Dally Messenger, Howie Tamati, Hugh McGahan, Lance Hohaia, Nathan Cayless, Nathan Fien

TO: NZRL Staff, Districts and Affiliates and Board

FROM: Cushla Dawson

DATE: 02 February 2009

RE: Media Summary Wednesday 28 January to Monday 02 February 2009

Kiwis concentrate on staying ahead: With the Kiwis' belated World Cup celebrations drawing to a close, the focus has quickly turned to how to stay one step ahead of Australia. While world cup triumph has bonded the Kiwis squad forever, incumbency will mean nothing when it comes to May's Anzac test in Brisbane.

Maori looking for stronger role in Pacific: The chairman of Maori rugby league says the priority for administrators is to ensure Maori have regular competition against Pacific rim teams, to enhance prospects of the inclusion of a Maori squad at the next World Cup in five years. says a strategic planning hui held in over the weekend recognised the importance of regular fixtures against the Australian indigenous squad, and Pacific teams who unlike Maori, have participatory rights in World Cup competitions.

Kiwis return home for long-awaited mini reunion: It may have taken two months, but the World Cup winning Kiwis are finally getting the chance to celebrate their victory on New Zealand soil. Most of the squad have gathered in Auckland for a mini reunion and to share their success with the fans. A homecoming to remember: Today thousands of Kiwis supporters turned out to meet the world champs, as they touched down on New Zealand soil.

Smith takes out NZRL’s International Player of the Year award: Loose forward Jeremy Smith beat five of his World Cup-winning Pirtek Kiwis team-mates to be named the International Player of the Year at the 2008 Awards in Auckland today. The former Melbourne back rower, now with St George Illawarra, capped a stellar season with his inspirational display in New Zealand's 34-20 win over Australia in the final at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on November 22 last year.

NZ rugby league player of 2008 named: loose forward Jeremy Smith has been named the 2008 New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) Player of the Year at the annual awards function in Auckland. Smith, 28, headed off five teammates from the world champion Kiwis side who were also nominated as finalists - Warriors second rower , Warriors halfback , Warriors , Warriors winger , and Parramatta prop , the victorious Kiwis captain. South Isaac Luke won the Rookie of the Year title, Vatuvei the Personality of the Year, and Kiwis mentor Steve Kearney the Coach of the Year. (Source: NZPA, 01 February 2009)

Sporting relics lost in fire: Treasured Australian sporting memorabilia, including priceless NRL artefacts, have been reduced to ashes after a fire gutted one of Sydney's oldest photographic studios. Regarded as the photographer of choice for major sporting events, Melba Studios housed historic prints, lithographs and glass plates. Among them was a glass plate of the All Golds, the Kiwi team that toured Australia in 1907, and included legendary rugby league foundation player .

World Cup Kiwis return home to toast victory: THE World Cup-winning Kiwis arrived in Auckland last night to celebrate their success and promptly declared it time to move on. For the first time since trouncing the Kangaroos on November 22, all but a few members of the Kiwis squad assembled in one place to toast their victory. The celebrations started with a team dinner in Auckland last night and will continue with the launching of the Kids 2 Kiwis programme from 10am at Auckland's Henham Park today.

Captain Cayless gets thumbs up from fellow Kiwis: KIWIS coach , right, has been urged to draw a line in the sand and oust as Kiwis captain in favour of World Cup-winning leader Nathan Cayless. Regular skipper Asotasi missed last year’s World Cup due to injury and was replaced at the helm by Cayless. Under the Parramatta stalwart, the Kiwis went on to claim the silverware and now Kearney must decide who wears the armband going forward. Smith's stellar cup campaign makes him the one to catch: Jeremy Smith must rate as the leading candidate for the Kiwis' Player of the Year award to be announced at the NZRL awards function today. With voting focusing on the Kiwis' World Cup campaign, it's hard to go past his contribution, especially in the final.

Six Kiwis finalists for player of the year: Six players from the World Cup-winning Kiwis are vying for the International Player of the Year accolade to be announced at the 2008 New Zealand rugby league awards in Auckland on Sunday. All six, along with 16 of their World Cup teammates and management, will attend the event at Otahuhu Rugby League Club.

Kiwis concentrate on staying ahead With the Kiwis' belated World Cup celebrations drawing to a close, the focus has quickly turned to how to stay one step ahead of Australia.

While world cup triumph has bonded the Kiwis squad forever, incumbency will mean nothing when it comes to May's Anzac test in Brisbane.

"The players are well aware that they need to move forward now because they've got eight rounds to prove to me and the selectors what they have with their form," says Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney. "And I'll be picking the side accordingly."

And while the message was received loud and clear, the players are entering the season with a new self-belief - the result of the flow-on effect of being a world champion.

But it was not just the Kiwis who were honoured today, the Kiwi Ferns also got their time in the limelight.

They won the Women's World Cup in November, although the Aussies only handed over the trophy two days ago.

"It's actually nice to have the real one here finally," says Kiwi Ferns captain Louisa Avaiki. "Now people can stop asking us why our cup's not here yet. It's taken a bit of time but it's just good to have it home."

And there could be more accolades to come for the Kiwis.

They are up for Team of the Year, and Stephen Kearney is a nominee for Coach of the Year at tomorrow's Halbergs.

Halberg recognition would be the cherry on top of New Zealand league's unforgettable season.

(Source: 3 News, 02 February 2009)

Maori Rugby League looking for stronger role in Pacific The chairman of Maori rugby league says the priority for administrators is to ensure Maori have regular competition against Pacific rim teams, to enhance prospects of the inclusion of a Maori squad at the next World Cup in five years.

Howie Tamati says a strategic planning hui held in Auckland over the weekend recognised the importance of regular fixtures against the Australian indigenous squad, and Pacific teams who unlike Maori, have participatory rights in World Cup competitions.

That will build on momentum created by the Maori squad’s first ever match against an Aboriginal team, in the build up to last year’s World Cup.

“If we can play the Pacific nations, the nations that made up the numbers in the World Cup, and we’re successful in playing them, putting up a good brand of rugby league but also providing another pathway for New Zealand rugby league in terms of selections for players looking for league and also Maori rugby league,” Mr Tamati says. (Source: Waatea Update, 02 February 2009)

Kiwis return home for long-awaited mini reunion It may have taken two months, but the World Cup winning Kiwis are finally getting the chance to celebrate their victory on New Zealand soil.

Most of the squad have gathered in Auckland for a mini reunion and to share their success with the fans.

A homecoming to remember: Today thousands of Kiwis supporters turned out to meet the world champs, as they touched down on New Zealand soil.

"It's mad aye," says Kiwis standoff . "In Aussie it's a bit different. You don't realise how big it is back home till you come here today and see how many people turned up."

The Kiwis camp broke up just hours after their World Cup triumph in November and their reunion was long overdue.

Today the champs seized the chance to encourage future stars, launching the New Zealand rugby league's 'Kids 2 Kiwis' program.

"It's great to come back and just to see so many kids, and so many people out here," says Kiwis captain Nathan Cayless. "It's a great thing for rugby league."

Lock Jeremy Smith has been recognised as player of the year at today's NZRL Awards, while Rookie of the Year went to hooker Isaac Luke.

The celebrations continue tomorrow with a civic reception in Auckland's Viaduct Harbour.

(Source: TV3 News, 01 February 2009)

Smith takes out NZRL’s International Player of the Year award Loose forward Jeremy Smith beat five of his World Cup-winning Pirtek Kiwis team-mates to be named the International Player of the Year at the 2008 New Zealand Rugby League Awards in Auckland today.

The former Melbourne back rower, now with St George Illawarra, capped a stellar season with his inspirational display in New Zealand's 34-20 win over Australia in the Rugby League World Cup final at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on November 22 last year.

The 28-year-old Christchurch-born Smith played each of the Kiwis' seven tests in 2008 and captained his country for the first time in the one-off Test against Tonga in Auckland in October.

He was also in the NRL minor premiership-winning Melbourne side which went on to reach the grand final for the third straight season.

But it was arguably Smith's performance on New Zealand rugby league's greatest day - winning the World Cup for the first time in its 54-year history - that carried him to the crown ahead of Vodafone Warriors back rower Simon Mannering and winger Manu Vatuvei. Rounding out a tight top six in the voting were captain and prop Nathan Cayless plus halfback Nathan Fien.

Smith produced at least two of the critical moments in the Pirtek Kiwis' World Cup win - his powerhouse try in the first half that ignited his side and his desperate ankle tap to stop Australia's when he broke clear late in the game.

While almost all of the World Cup players and management were in Auckland for the awards function today - as well as the launch of the NZRL's Kids 2 Kiwis programme - Smith was a late withdrawal from the two-day celebration reunion for personal reasons. Cayless, also inspirational in the final, accepted the award on Smith's behalf.

In a year which produced five New Zealand Test debutants, hooker , second rower and winger were the finalists for the International Rookie of the Year. Luke, an interchange weapon in the World Cup campaign, was a clear winner of the title.

After guiding New Zealand to history, Stephen Kearney was an automatic choice as Bartercard Coach of the Year. He is also one of four finalists in the Coach of the Year category at the Halberg Awards to be announced in Auckland on Tuesday night. Kearney will attend the dinner along with several of the Pirtek Kiwis, also finalists for the Team of the Year title.

Named the NZRL Personality of the Year was Vatuvei while the Kiwi Ferns' Player of the Year was Maia Tua- Davidson, a member the New Zealand team that won the Women's World Cup for the third straight time.

Retired legend received a special recognition award for his contribution to the game after a career highlighted by his world record 55 tests. He was also on the Pirtek Kiwis' coaching staff at the World Cup and finished his NRL days with a total of 312 first-grade appearances (one of only 10 players to top the 300 mark since the competition started in 1908).

Other award winners were Leon Williamson (Referee of the Year), Sione Tongia (Bartercard Domestic Player of the Year) and new Vodafone Warriors NYC squad member Luke Laban (NZRL Junior Player of the Year).

The awards function, televised live by Sky Sport, was held in the Otahuhu Rugby League's Club's clubrooms at Henham Park during the NZRL's successful launch of its Kids 2 Kiwi programme (which aired live for an hour and a half on Prime TV's Sport Box). Fittingly enough, both Wiki and Vatuvei played for the before becoming NRL players. As well as Wiki, the Leopards claim a number of other Kiwi greats including former captains Roy Christian, Mark Graham, Hugh McGahan and Richard Barnett.

With a large crowd in attendance, players from both of New Zealand's World Cup-winning squads were involved in the launch running coaching clinics for kids.

The Pirtek Kiwis struggled to meet autograph and photo requests throughout the day before leaving Henham Park. On the way home, players and management visited the Fai family home in Mangere to pay their respects after Vodafone Warrior and former Junior Kiwi Sonny Fai's disappearance on January 4.

Tomorrow the Pirtek Kiwis end their World Cup celebrations when they are guests at the Auckland City Council's chambers before attending a civic reception at the Louis Vuitton Pacific series village in the Viaduct Harbour precinct. It runs from 11.45am to 12.45pm with some players in line to show off their skills on grinding machines. The World Cup will again be on display with the players also involved in another signing session for fans.

(Source: www.rleague.com 01 February 2009)

Sporting relics lost in fire TREASURED Australian sporting memorabilia, including priceless NRL artefacts, have been reduced to ashes after a fire gutted one of Sydney's oldest photographic studios.

Investigators spent yesterday at Melba Studios, on Victoria Rd, Gladesville, after a blaze started about 8.30pm on Friday. "There's nothing to be saved, from what we can see,'' Inspector Greg Reid said. "It's a mess, basically ash.''

Regarded as the photographer of choice for major sporting events, Melba Studios housed historic prints, lithographs and glass plates. Among them was a glass plate of the All Golds, the Kiwi team that toured Australia in 1907, and included legendary rugby league foundation player Dally Messenger.

Other items included a rare print of Australia's squad for the second Test of 1932, which later became known as the Battle of Brisbane because of the ferocity of the play against the touring England team.

Also housed there were one-of-a-kind sets of NRL teams, dating back to the game's first days, and priceless photos, including a portrait of , Australia's first great hooker.

Pictures of the sport's immortals, including one of North Sydney legend Albert Broomham, one of the standout three-quarters in the game's first decade, are also believed to have gone up in smoke. NRL chief executive David Gallop said he was holding out hope that some of the more precious items would be salvaged.

"Obviously, we're hoping that damage to our photo library and, indeed, that of other sports, is at a minimum,'' he said. "The photos are literally irreplaceable and we're hoping that not too much has been damaged.''

The family business, reputed to be one of the best studios in the country, was also known for its extensive collection of historic school photos, wedding photos and landscape photography.

The blaze started on the second floor of the Heritage-listed site and razed the premises. One witness said the intensity of the flames emitted an oven-like heat and "turned the sky orange''.

Thick plumes of chemically tainted smoke billowed from windows as more than 12 fire trucks and appliances doused the flames.

Melba Studios general manager Kerry Beever said she was hopeful that hallowed items could be recovered: "The next few days will be spent determining just what has been damaged.''

(Source: The Daily Telegraph, 01 February 2009)

World Cup Kiwis return home to toast victory THE World Cup-winning Kiwis arrived in Auckland last night to celebrate their success and promptly declared it time to move on.

For the first time since trouncing the Kangaroos on November 22, all but a few members of the Kiwis squad assembled in one place to toast their victory.

The celebrations started with a team dinner in Auckland last night and will continue with the launching of the Kids 2 Kiwis programme from 10am at Auckland's Henham Park today.

But while everyone is excited about the reunion, coach Stephen Kearney also warned his charges not to let their World Cup win get to their heads.

"I know the lads have been looking forward to this catch-up," Kearney told Sunday News. "This is a chance for us to celebrate last year's achievement, attend our awards dinner and also to help launch a new initiative with the NZRL.

"A lot of the lads back in Australia probably don't realise what this World Cup win means to New Zealanders. In saying that, I have been mindful about moving on since the moment we won the final.

"When the boys return to their clubs on Monday, it's my hope that we put a full stop behind last year and start thinking ahead to the May 8 test."

Kearney said he would use the time in Auckland to meet with selectors and start planning for the year ahead.

Kiwis prop echoed his coach's sentiments about moving on.

"It's always good to come back home and touch base with the boys," Blair said. "Since we got told we were coming back home for a weekend we have all been pretty excited.

"For New Zealand and league in this country, it's important we celebrate our successes. We also need to remember the final was a one-off game and we need to make sure we do everything we can now to put that night behind us. We know we can beat the Aussies now and we know we can do it again."

Kiwis manager Gordon Gibbons said the World Cup win meant so much to him he got a permanent reminder tattooed onto his right bicep.

"You have no idea how much I've been looking forward to seeing the boys again," Gibbons said. "It still hasn't really sunk in.

"There's such a special bond, a brotherhood between these guys now and they deserve every accolade they get." UK-based players and were unable to join their team-mates in Auckland, while star centre couldn't fly after a knock on the head at training last week

(Source: Aaron Lawton, Sunday News, 01 February 2009)

Captain Cayless gets thumbs up from fellow Kiwis KIWIS coach Stephen Kearney, right, has been urged to draw a line in the sand and oust Roy Asotasi as Kiwis captain in favour of World Cup-winning leader Nathan Cayless.

Regular skipper Asotasi missed last year’s World Cup due to injury and was replaced at the helm by Cayless.

Under the Parramatta stalwart, the Kiwis went on to claim the silverware and now Kearney must decide who wears the armband going forward.

Adding to his headache is the fact Asotasi is fit again and will lead South Sydney in their Charity Shield game against St George later this month.

But last night well-respected Kiwis manager Gordon Gibbons – one of Kearney’s trusted advisers – said the choice was easy.

“To me, I think it’s a no-brainer and Nathan should retain the captaincy,’’ Gibbons told Sunday News.

“That’s no disrespect to Roy but Nathan led us to the World Cup trophy and I think he deserves to stay on as captain.

“If Roy comes back in, and let’s remember he’s a lot younger, he should continue his apprenticeship with Nathan.

“My personal belief, and I haven’t discussed it yet with Stephen, is that Nathan should stay on as captain.

“Nathan’s a great leader. He doesn’t say much but when he says something people listen. He’s a ‘follow me’ leader and the decision shouldn’t be too hard to make."

Kearney wouldn't speculate on who will be captain for the May 8 test.

"I'll make that decision when I think it's appropriate, he said.

Last year, Asotasi said he was happy to stand down as captain for good if that was in the team's best interests.

"It (losing the captaincy) does cross my mind from time to time but you can't be a captain forever," Asotasi told Sunday News.

"One thing I've learnt in this game is that nothing is guaranteed.

"You can never just assume you will be the captain when another season rolls around."

Fiery Kiwis prop Adam Blair said he didn't envy the decision his coach will have to make.

"That's a pretty tough choice for Stephen," Blair said.

"Nathan led from the front at the world cup and Roy is another guy who leads by his actions.

"He's fairly quiet but he's one of those guys who inspires you out on the field."

(Source: Sunday News, 01 February 2009)

Smith's stellar cup campaign makes him the one to catch Jeremy Smith must rate as the leading candidate for the Kiwis' Player of the Year award to be announced at the NZRL awards function today. With voting focusing on the Kiwis' World Cup campaign, it's hard to go past his contribution, especially in the final.

Not only did he score the try which put the Kiwis on the board after they trailed 10-0 after only 15 minutes but he also pulled off a desperate try-saving ankle tap on Johnathan Thurston in the 72nd minute when Australia threatened a late comeback.

Smith is not a flashy player. He's strong, a great defender and has a good engine on him and he epitomised in that tackle the Kiwis' efforts in their stunning 34-20 upset of Australia in the World Cup final.

He should have been a candidate for man of the match but this was controversially awarded to Australian captain instead.

The 28-year-old heads to the Dragons this season to team up with Kiwis assistant Wayne Bennett and he might well take the Player of the Year trophy with him.

Smith is one of six finalists, along with Warriors Nathan Fien, Lance Hohaia, Manu Vatuvei and Simon Mannering, as well as skipper Nathan Cayless.

Fien was a revelation at halfback after initially starting the tournament at hooker, Hohaia slipped into the fullback's role admirably in the absence of the injured , Vatuvei scored four tries in the crucial win against England, Mannering was his usual efficient self and Cayless led the team from the front.

Voting was conducted by 16 people, including coaches and media with the coaches' votes from Stephen Kearney and Bennett carrying added weight.

Among other awards to be announced will be the International Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year and NZRL Personality of the Year.

The World Cup-winning Kiwis gathered in Auckland yesterday for two days to celebrate their famous victory.

As well as the awards function, the Kiwis will be at Henham Park in Otahuhu today to launch the NZRL's Kids 2 Kiwis programme before a civic reception tomorrow at the Louis Vuitton village in the Viaduct Harbour, which is open to the public from 12pm-1pm.

The NZRL were keen to have Bennett in town to contribute to their World Cup debrief but he was conspicuously absent because of his commitments to the Dragons.

Bennett has not yet recommitted to the Kiwis for 2009. The NZRL were hopeful his absence did not overshadow the weekend's celebrations and emphasised that nothing should be read into it in terms of his future with the Kiwis.

(Source: Michael Brown, Herald on Sunday, 01 February 2009)

Six Kiwis finalists for player of the year Six players from the World Cup-winning Kiwis are vying for the International Player of the Year accolade to be announced at the 2008 New Zealand rugby league awards in Auckland on Sunday.

All six, along with 16 of their World Cup teammates and management, will attend the event at Otahuhu Rugby League Club.

The finalists are second rower Simon Mannering, Warriors halfback Nathan Fien, Warriors fullback Lance Hohaia, Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei, Melbourne Storm loose forward Jeremy Smith and Parramatta prop Nathan Cayless, the victorious Kiwis captain.

Among other awards announced will be the International Rookie of the Year, the Coach of the Year and the NZRL Personality of the Year.

(Source: NZPA 30 January 2009)