Tips Levi for big Kiwis future
(at the World Cup), but firstly we need him to play consistently well for the Knights and if he does that I’m sure his reward will come at the end of the year.’’
Kiwis coach David Kidwell is likely to go with Luke as his hooker for next month’s Anzac test in Canberra, although Levi could be on standby if there’s an injury to the Warriors No 9.
But it’s later in the year where Levi is most likely to make his test debut, when the Kiwis co-host the World Cup, with Lewis Brown used in more of a utility role.
Brown says Levi, who moved to Australia as a youngster, has got a greater understanding of the hooker’s role over the past 12 months and has a better grasp on when to run or pass.
‘‘Danny Buderus put a lot of time into him,’’ Brown said.
‘‘This was his third full preseason and he played a lot of footy last year, with a lot of that being with a bad back.
‘‘His fitness levels and training levels have improved a lot, while his game is improving too.
‘‘He used to just run and play by himself, he’s put a lot of time in to learn to use his team-mates a lot better and his game has certainly come on as we’d expect.
‘‘I’m very hopeful of Danny having a good, long term career. He’s a very talented player, a good trainer and what we see from Danny this year will be a lot better than what we saw last year and as he gains more experience he’ll keep improving.’’