Graham to play in league trial

Press, 28 September 1988, Page 72

Graham to play in league trial

PA Wellington Mark Graham will play in the final Kiwi rugby league trial at Carlaw Park on Sunday. Graham’s family confirmed yesterday that the big second rower was travelling home from his Wakefield Trinity base in England and would arrive either today or tomorrow. News reports over the last few days have indicated Graham would not be released by Wakefield, jeopardising his place in the Kiwi side for the Lion Red World Cup final against Australia at Eden Park on October 9. However, the Kiwi coach, Tony Gordon, said he was always confident Graham would be available. “There had never been any doubt in my mind. He’s always said he would contact me on the Friday before the last trial so no doubt I’ll hear from him on Friday,” said Mr Gordon. If Graham arrives earlier than expected it is unlikely he would line up in the first trial in Hamilton tomorrow. Meanwhile, the other English based Kiwis, Wigan’s Adrian Shelford, Dean Bell, Tony Iro and Widnes’s Kurt Sorensen will arrive in Auckland on Saturday, just in time for the second trial. St Helens Shane Cooper is on his way back, and is likely to play in Hamilton. The veteran back, James Leuluai, should be included in the Kiwi World Cup squad after his outstanding .form this winter, the Wellington coach, Howie Tamati believes. Leuluai, aged 31, and a veteran of 29 tests, has been called to Hamilton for tomorrow’s World Cup trial to cover the eventuality stand-off Shane Cooper might not be released for the match by English club St Helens. Altough Leuluai knows he will come straight back to Wellington if Cooper shows up, Mr Tamati feels he is worthy of better treatment. He believes the try-sniffing stand-off would not fail New Zealand. “I think he’s good enough to play the final,” Mr Tamati said. “I know how much he wants to play for New Zealand.”