Big Vodafone Warriors contingent in Kiwi teams

A total of 11 Vodafone Warriors players have today been named in the Kiwi and Junior Kiwi squads for internationals against their Australian counterparts at Dairy Farmers Stadium in Townsville on Saturday, October 13.

First captain Simon Mannering, Ben Matulino, Elijah Taylor and Shaun Johnson were included in a 19-man team for the Kiwis’ one-off Test against the Kangaroos.

And later in the day seven Vodafone Junior Warriors were named in the Junior Kiwis’ 18-man team being coached by Vodafone Junior Warriors coach John Ackland – loose forward David Bhana, winger David Fusitua, hooker Siliva Havili, fullback-winger Peta Hiku, centre-winger Ngataua Hukatai, front rower Toka Likiliki and standoff Carlos Tuimavave. John Palavi was also set to be included for the second year running but was ruled out due to a one-match suspension.

Tuimavave is in the Junior Kiwis for the third year running, having featured in the shared two-match series against the Junior Kangaroos in 2010 before captaining the side in last year’s one-off 28-16 victory in Newcastle last year. Another survivor from 2011 is Vodafone Junior Warriors hooker Siliva Havili.

Also in the side for the third straight year is North Queensland’s Jason Taumalolo, who’ll still be eligible for the Junior Kiwis next year. Tohu Harris (Melbourne) and Wayne Ulugia (North Queensland) are also back in the side after playing in Newcastle last year.

Taumalolo, Tuimavave and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Sydney Roosters) have NRL experience, Tuimavave playing the last five games of the NRL season for the Vodafone Warriors.

The squad includes two players from the Wests Tigers side – prop Mosese Fotuaika and second rower Jesse Sue – which thrashed Canberra 46-6 to win Sunday’s NYC grand final. Canberra winger Jeremy Hawkins has also been selected.

The Junior Kiwis-Junior Kangaroos clash is the curtain-raiser to the Trans-Tasman Test.

The full squad is:

David Bhana (Vodafone Warriors)
Mosese Fotuaika (Wests Tigers)
David Fusitua (Vodafone Warriors)
Tohu Harris (Melbourne Storm)
Siliva Havili (Vodafone Warriors)
Jeremy Hawkins (Canberra Raiders)
Peta Hiku (Vodafone Warriors)
Ngataua Hukatai (Vodafone Warriors)
Toka Likiliki (Vodafone Warriors)
Penani Manumalealii (Cronulla Sharks)
Api Pewhairangi (Newcastle Knights)
Curtis Rona (Sydney Roosters)
Tupou Sopoaga (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Jesse Sue (Wests Tigers)
Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland Cowboys)
Carlos Tuimavave (Vodafone Warriors)
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Sydney Roosters)
Wayne Ulugia (North Queensland Cowboys)