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A YEAR after pledging his allegiance to Samoa, Bulldogs back-rower Frank Pritchard seems to have had a change of heart and is expected this evening to be welcomed back into the New Zealand fold.
The giant forward hasn't played for the Kiwis since 2010 and, before last year's Four Nations, informed New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney of his intention to make himself available to Samoa for the 2013 World Cup.
In recent weeks, he has been linked with the New South Wales State of Origin team. But rather than pull on a blue Samoan jersey or the lighter shade of NSW, Pritchard is expected to line up for the Kiwis in next Friday's Anzac Test against Australia at Eden Park.
That was news to Samoa's technical director, former Kiwis international Nigel Vagana, who yesterday said he hadn't heard from Pritchard.
Pritchard, despite his best intentions, hasn't actually played for Samoa yet as their latest Test, against Tonga, was in 2010.
"Frank was with us last year. We had some training sessions and he was there," Vagana said. "I haven't spoken to him about his plans for this year or about his allegiances. But I guess that's between Frank and the New Zealand Rugby League.
"If he wants to play for the Kiwis we've got no problem with it. It's about what he wants to do really.
"I guess it just means the door opens now for someone else.
"It is a bit frustrating but you can't knock any player for doing what's best for himself and his family."
Also considered a strong chance to win a Kiwis call-up is Pritchard's club teammate Sam Kasiano.
The hard-hitting 21-year-old front-rower is one of the form forwards in the NRL.
He was born in Auckland and played as a junior for the Otahuhu Leopards but, like Pritchard, has been talked about as a possible Origin bolter in recent weeks.
It has been reported on both sides of the Tasman that Kasiano has signalled his intent to play for Queensland. But it's understood he told the NZRL this week that his wish was to play for New Zealand.
The only decision likely to leave some fans scratching their head is that hooker Nathan Fien seems to have been overlooked. A mainstay of Kearney's Kiwi teams, the Dragons star, who can also cover the halves, only returned from injury on Friday night against the Knights.
Meanwhile, Brisbane Broncos fullback Josh Hoffman is expected to win the race for the custodian's jersey. Born in Mackay, Queensland, he made the decision last year to play for the Kiwis, but a knee injury cost him any chance of making his debut during the Four Nations.
The 24-year-old, who is related to league legend Wendell Sailor, qualifies for the Kiwis through his New Zealand-born father Shane. His mother, Grace, is of Torres Strait Island heritage.
With Kevin Locke still battling to return from a leg complaint and Hoffman's Broncos on fire, his selection makes perfect sense.
During Friday's win over the Raiders, he found himself on the end of several bruising hits but still stood tall, running for 245 metres in a performance that sealed his place in the Kiwis.
Interestingly, while Warriors veteran Jerome Ropati has been left out of the mix as he continues his slow return back to first-grade football, his embattled teammate Manu Vatuvei is understood to have made the cut.
The Kiwis haven't won the Anzac Test since overcoming the Kangaroos 22-16 at North Harbour Stadium in 1998 - the last time the fixture was staged in New Zealand.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...-with-kiwis-20120414-1x039.html#ixzz1s71oLjBB
The giant forward hasn't played for the Kiwis since 2010 and, before last year's Four Nations, informed New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney of his intention to make himself available to Samoa for the 2013 World Cup.
In recent weeks, he has been linked with the New South Wales State of Origin team. But rather than pull on a blue Samoan jersey or the lighter shade of NSW, Pritchard is expected to line up for the Kiwis in next Friday's Anzac Test against Australia at Eden Park.
That was news to Samoa's technical director, former Kiwis international Nigel Vagana, who yesterday said he hadn't heard from Pritchard.
Pritchard, despite his best intentions, hasn't actually played for Samoa yet as their latest Test, against Tonga, was in 2010.
"Frank was with us last year. We had some training sessions and he was there," Vagana said. "I haven't spoken to him about his plans for this year or about his allegiances. But I guess that's between Frank and the New Zealand Rugby League.
"If he wants to play for the Kiwis we've got no problem with it. It's about what he wants to do really.
"I guess it just means the door opens now for someone else.
"It is a bit frustrating but you can't knock any player for doing what's best for himself and his family."
Also considered a strong chance to win a Kiwis call-up is Pritchard's club teammate Sam Kasiano.
The hard-hitting 21-year-old front-rower is one of the form forwards in the NRL.
He was born in Auckland and played as a junior for the Otahuhu Leopards but, like Pritchard, has been talked about as a possible Origin bolter in recent weeks.
It has been reported on both sides of the Tasman that Kasiano has signalled his intent to play for Queensland. But it's understood he told the NZRL this week that his wish was to play for New Zealand.
The only decision likely to leave some fans scratching their head is that hooker Nathan Fien seems to have been overlooked. A mainstay of Kearney's Kiwi teams, the Dragons star, who can also cover the halves, only returned from injury on Friday night against the Knights.
Meanwhile, Brisbane Broncos fullback Josh Hoffman is expected to win the race for the custodian's jersey. Born in Mackay, Queensland, he made the decision last year to play for the Kiwis, but a knee injury cost him any chance of making his debut during the Four Nations.
The 24-year-old, who is related to league legend Wendell Sailor, qualifies for the Kiwis through his New Zealand-born father Shane. His mother, Grace, is of Torres Strait Island heritage.
With Kevin Locke still battling to return from a leg complaint and Hoffman's Broncos on fire, his selection makes perfect sense.
During Friday's win over the Raiders, he found himself on the end of several bruising hits but still stood tall, running for 245 metres in a performance that sealed his place in the Kiwis.
Interestingly, while Warriors veteran Jerome Ropati has been left out of the mix as he continues his slow return back to first-grade football, his embattled teammate Manu Vatuvei is understood to have made the cut.
The Kiwis haven't won the Anzac Test since overcoming the Kangaroos 22-16 at North Harbour Stadium in 1998 - the last time the fixture was staged in New Zealand.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...-with-kiwis-20120414-1x039.html#ixzz1s71oLjBB
