TO: NZRL Staff, Districts and Affiliates and Board FROM: Cushla Dawson DATE: 04 May 2009 RE: Media Summary Tuesday 28 April to Monday 04 May 2009 Kiwis worry over Jeremy Smith: Kiwis hardman Jeremy Smith is hopeful of defying a sprained ankle in Friday's rugby league test, saying he is confident they can make it back-to-back wins against the Kangaroos in Brisbane. Smith and fellow-forward Frank Pritchard gave coach Stephen Kearney two injury scares amid a largely predictable 18 named on Sunday night for the World Cup final rematch. The biggest surprise was the choice of playmaker Benji Marshall, who missed his Wests Tigers' NRL match on Sunday due to the flu, as captain ahead of Smith and Roy Asotasi. Test of nerve for Marshall and Sheens: BENJI Marshall is "chuffed" to become a shock New Zealand captain for the Test against Australia on Friday night - but Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens claimed his Tigers star would "have to get there first". Marshall has been firing several psychological shots towards his club coach and Test nemesis, claiming he was about to end the coaching veteran's Australian stint at one game. However Sheens turned up the heat on Marshall by talking up the various ailments that had him ruled out for the Tigers yesterday. Hospital under a smoke cloud: Taranaki Base Hospital is setting a poor example in allowing people to smoke in the main entrance, says Taranaki DHB chairman John Young. … On a good note, the committee was also told that the Waitara Bears Rugby League Club had led the way by making all outdoor areas at the Waitara Sports Grounds smokefree from the start of the season. "The new smokefree decision will reduce the amount that children see their adult role models as smokers," Mrs Boardman said. Benji Marshall to lead Kiwis: Playmaker Benji Marshall will lead New Zealand in the one-off rugby league test against Australia in Brisbane on Friday. Wests Tigers star Marshall, who didn't play for his club in the National Rugby League match against the Bulldogs today, was named captain of the 18-man squad announced tonight. However, the national selectors were scheduled to meet again later this evening to consider medical reports on St George Illawarra's Jeremy Smith and Penrith's Frank Pritchard before confirming the squad. Kearney has depth on his side for Anzac game: There have been very few occasions in the 101-year history of New Zealand league when there have been 17 world-class, injury and suspension-free players available for selection to the national team with depth left over. That's the case ahead of the May 8 test against Australia at Suncorp Stadium. The decisions for coach Stephen Kearney and the selectors Darrell Williams, Tony Kemp and convener Howie Tamati are where to play some of their talent. Kearney rules out Leuluai, Webb: Kiwis rugby league coach Stephen Kearney has ruled out selecting British- based pair Thomas Leuluai and Brent Webb for next week's trans-Tasman test. Leuluai started at hooker in the World Cup final-winning team last November while test regular Webb missed the tournament due to a back injury, but Kearney said it was logistically too difficult to include any British-based players for the rematch in Brisbane on May 8. Juniors switch to Sunday matches: Schoolboy rugby league gets under way for 2009 this weekend, and with it comes high hopes for the sport's revival in the region. Whangarei and Districts president Sonny Hohepa said this year's matches were on Sundays in a bid to give players more game time and develop the area's up and coming stars. Sore chest sidelines prop: In-form prop Sam Rapira is out of the Kiwis' May 8 rugby league test against Australia with a chest injury. The World Cup winner was yesterday ruled out of action for three weeks, starting with the Warriors-Dragons match in Wollongong on Sunday. Rapira's absence is a major blow for Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney, who has also lost skipper and prop Nathan Cayless to retirement. White brought colour to call: What a treat it was to hear that voice again. Having turned the television on, a familiar crackle filled the air. Sky Sport's Stephen McIvor was interviewing Des White, the legendary Kiwi rugby league fullback. Memories quickly flooded back. White was the Kiwi fullback of the 1950s, and the holder of a test goalkicking record. Club backs McGahan: The Waitemata Rugby Club is standing by its man. Premier coach Hugh McGahan will be sentenced next week for his part in a $2 million pokie scam but club chairman Ron Jones says the former league international has the club’s full support. "What happened to Hugh occurred in his past before he came to Waitemata and that is his personal business," he says. Plan for historic clash between Indigenous side and NRL All Stars team: MATT Bowen v Billy Slater. Greg Inglis v Michael Jennings. Scott Prince v Darren Lockyer. A one-off game of rugby league featuring these match-ups could become a reality under a proposal for an historic clash between an Indigenous side and an NRL All Stars team. The plan, to be tabled at today's NRL chief executives meeting, could generate up to $2million. Leave tests 'sacred' from two refs – Kearney: Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney is relieved next week's test match will be controlled by one referee, as NRL chief executives prepare to debate the controversial two-referee system on Tuesday. The presence of two whistleblowers has divided NRL coaches this year, with Cronulla's Ricky Stuart calling for it to be scrapped but others including the Warriors' Ivan Cleary giving it a thumbs up. Kearney, also the Melbourne Storm assistant coach, was guarded about the impact of two refs in the NRL but wouldn't like to see it extended to test football. Kiwis worry over Jeremy Smith Kiwis hardman Jeremy Smith is hopeful of defying a sprained ankle in Friday's rugby league test, saying he is confident they can make it back-to-back wins against the Kangaroos in Brisbane. Smith and fellow-forward Frank Pritchard gave coach Stephen Kearney two injury scares amid a largely predictable 18 named on Sunday night for the World Cup final rematch. The biggest surprise was the choice of playmaker Benji Marshall, who missed his Wests Tigers' NRL match on Sunday due to the flu, as captain ahead of Smith and Roy Asotasi. Smith limped off WIN Stadium with a high ankle sprain, after he twisted in a tackle from test teammate Nathan Fien, as his Dragons beat the Warriors 12-11. "I'm not too sure but it's not too good at the moment. Fingers crossed I can get out there on Friday," a deflated Smith told NZPA. Smith, named the Kiwis' play of the year in 2008, said he would give himself every chance to be fit but would leave the final call up to Kearney. "I'll do what's best for myself. I don't want to be going out there and putting the team in jeopardy by having a crook ankle. "I'll wait and see what happens and see how I pull up during the week, and see what Steve wants to do. "We've got such a good team and I'm pretty confident we can get out there and do the same as what we did to them last year." Dragons coach Wayne Bennett said medical opinion put Smith in "a fair bit of doubt". "He's a rough chance but it's an ankle injury, and we're optimistic it's not too serious, but it's going to be line ball for Friday." Kearney and his fellow-selectors were scheduled to meet again to discuss Smith and Pritchard's injuries suffered at the weekend. Honour for Marshall Marshall was named to succeed retired skipper Nathan Cayless, having led the Kiwis for the first time against England in their World Cup pool game last year. "It was a huge honour for Benji to lead his country against England and it was job he really took to," Kearney said. "This is another step. Benji enjoys the extra responsibility and he'll have plenty of leadership support around him from the likes of Roy, Jeremy and others." Injuries had restricted Marshall to only three tests (all one-off Anzac tests) before the World Cup but he appeared in six straight internationals in as many weeks in October-November last year. Of the 17 who played in the 34-20 World Cup final win, only three missed selection: Cayless, Warriors prop Sam Rapira (sternum) and Wigan utility Thomas Leuluai, with the selectors opting against selecting he and fellow British-based player Brent Webb. Asotasi, Pritchard and Iosia Soliola all returned after missing the World Cup through injury, while 2007 Kiwis prop Jeff Lima was recalled. Bennett spills the beans Nightingale revealed his Dragons coach and last year's Kiwis assistant Wayne Bennett spilt the beans last Monday that he and Smith had been selected in the test side. But some wise words from Bennett kept he, and the prospective Kangaroos in the Dragons side, more focused then their opponents. "Wayne spoke to all of us and said not to worry about it, don't change what you're doing when rep jerseys are on the line. I tried to put a bit of that into play," Nightingale said. "You don't clock off because you know you've been picked, you've just got to be mentally strong and approach the game as you would any other.