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Allegiance stoush: Canterbury-Bankstown star Sam Kasiano faces New Zealand v Queensland moment of truth
By Brent Read and Stuart Honeysett The Australian September 11, 2012 10:24AM
The tug-of-war over Sam Kasiano is set to reignite this week as New Zealand officials step up attempts to lock in the Dally M prop of the year for the end-of-season Test in Townsville.
New Zealand Rugby League chief executive Jim Doyle confirmed Kiwi officials hoped to speak to Kasiano, who has been tempted by the chance to play State of Origin for Queensland, over the next week as they take advantage of Canterbury-Bankstown having this weekend off.
Weighing in New Zealand's favour is the impending change to State of Origin eligibility rules that could result in Kasiano being barred from playing for the Maroons next season.
Kasiano would then face a straight decision between making himself available for New Zealand or Australia.
With the lure of Origin off the table, New Zealand's hopes of holding on to the Auckland-born frontrower would be considerably strengthened.
"We obviously have the letter from Sam saying he wants to play for New Zealand," Doyle said.
"As far as we're concerned, that means he is available for selection."
Queensland's attempts to entice Kasiano to play Origin, and New South Wales's poaching of another Kiwi, James Tamou, directly led to a review into Origin eligibility laws.
Under the likely changes, players could be eligible to play for Australia but not Queensland or NSW depending on how long they have spent here.
Kasiano moved to Australia when he was 16, meaning he has played the vast majority of his rugby league in New Zealand. As a result, he is likely to be frozen out of Origin.
Even if he spurns the latest advances from New Zealand, he will probably be forced to make a decision in coming weeks.
New Zealand selectors are believed to be keen on including Kasiano in their squad for the Test against the Kangaroos on October 13 at Dairy Farmers Stadium.
The Kangaroos have problems of their own, with a number of players who were selected for the Anzac Test in April facing off-season surgery that would rule them out of contention for the Townsville Test.
Brisbane captain Sam Thaiday requires an operation for a shoulder injury and has yet to decide whether to delay it until after the game.
It is believed Broncos centre Justin Hodges could also be in doubt with a back problem.
Penrith lock Luke Lewis has been cleared to play by a throat specialist after a thyroid cancer scare prematurely ended his season.
But he will have been sidelined for about three months by the time the Test is played.
Injuries have also affected selections for the Prime Minister's XIII team to face Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on September 23, with a number of players dropping out of the train-on squad.
The worst affected club is St George Illawarra. NSW forwards Trent Merrin, Ben Creagh, winger Brett Morris and centre Beau Scott have all declared themselves unavailable. It is believed that Morris would be available for the Test match if required.
Sydney Roosters had only two players picked in the train-on squad in Mitchell Pearce and Jake Friend but both have also withdrawn to have off-season surgery.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/...-moment-of-truth/story-fn31yxah-1226471644655
By Brent Read and Stuart Honeysett The Australian September 11, 2012 10:24AM
The tug-of-war over Sam Kasiano is set to reignite this week as New Zealand officials step up attempts to lock in the Dally M prop of the year for the end-of-season Test in Townsville.
New Zealand Rugby League chief executive Jim Doyle confirmed Kiwi officials hoped to speak to Kasiano, who has been tempted by the chance to play State of Origin for Queensland, over the next week as they take advantage of Canterbury-Bankstown having this weekend off.
Weighing in New Zealand's favour is the impending change to State of Origin eligibility rules that could result in Kasiano being barred from playing for the Maroons next season.
Kasiano would then face a straight decision between making himself available for New Zealand or Australia.
With the lure of Origin off the table, New Zealand's hopes of holding on to the Auckland-born frontrower would be considerably strengthened.
"We obviously have the letter from Sam saying he wants to play for New Zealand," Doyle said.
"As far as we're concerned, that means he is available for selection."
Queensland's attempts to entice Kasiano to play Origin, and New South Wales's poaching of another Kiwi, James Tamou, directly led to a review into Origin eligibility laws.
Under the likely changes, players could be eligible to play for Australia but not Queensland or NSW depending on how long they have spent here.
Kasiano moved to Australia when he was 16, meaning he has played the vast majority of his rugby league in New Zealand. As a result, he is likely to be frozen out of Origin.
Even if he spurns the latest advances from New Zealand, he will probably be forced to make a decision in coming weeks.
New Zealand selectors are believed to be keen on including Kasiano in their squad for the Test against the Kangaroos on October 13 at Dairy Farmers Stadium.
The Kangaroos have problems of their own, with a number of players who were selected for the Anzac Test in April facing off-season surgery that would rule them out of contention for the Townsville Test.
Brisbane captain Sam Thaiday requires an operation for a shoulder injury and has yet to decide whether to delay it until after the game.
It is believed Broncos centre Justin Hodges could also be in doubt with a back problem.
Penrith lock Luke Lewis has been cleared to play by a throat specialist after a thyroid cancer scare prematurely ended his season.
But he will have been sidelined for about three months by the time the Test is played.
Injuries have also affected selections for the Prime Minister's XIII team to face Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on September 23, with a number of players dropping out of the train-on squad.
The worst affected club is St George Illawarra. NSW forwards Trent Merrin, Ben Creagh, winger Brett Morris and centre Beau Scott have all declared themselves unavailable. It is believed that Morris would be available for the Test match if required.
Sydney Roosters had only two players picked in the train-on squad in Mitchell Pearce and Jake Friend but both have also withdrawn to have off-season surgery.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/...-moment-of-truth/story-fn31yxah-1226471644655
