Kiwis ‘doing it for Nelson’
There’s no shortage of motivation in the Kiwis camp ahead of tomorrow night’s test against the Kangaroos in Wollongong.
New Zealand will field a strong side although they will be without the services of enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona, who was suspended for an ugly off-season incident in Bali last week.
Hooker Brandon Smith spoke about his Storm club team-mate’s suspension yesterday, and said the side will be out to do AsofaSolomona proud following what many felt was a heavy price to pay for his actions.
‘‘It’s sad for him, I know how hard he worked and for a little incident like that to take it all away is sad,’’ Smith said. ‘‘We will play for him and I hope we get the win for the bro, I know he’ll be watching and supporting us.’’
It’s been more than a year since the two sides met, New Zealand winning that one 26-24 in Auckland.
Smith has quickly become a key part of a Kiwis side who will be looking to pull off rare back-toback wins over Australia.
When last seen in a black and white jersey, he put in a standout display during the mid-season test against Tonga in Auckland.
Smith carved up the defence that night with his electric running game, scoring the opening try and setting up another. He finished with a 127 running metres and a match-high 10 tackle breaks.
But with the talent he is set to have outside him this week, Smith said it was his passing game he wanted to work on.
‘‘I always feel ready, this is my job, this is what I signed up for. For me this week is about getting my passing ready,’’ he said.
‘‘I’ve had about three weeks off and haven’t really touched a footy so just getting my extra work in to make sure the likes of Benji [Marshall] and Shaun [Johnson] are getting good quick service from me because they can do some special things those guys.’’
The Kiwis backline is loaded, the hot-stepping of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Johnson set to feed the likes of Joseph Manu and former Warrior Charnze NicollKlokstad.
But Smith knows it all starts up front, and New Zealand’s attack will largely depend on his service from the base.