Beastly dilemma ahead

Manu Vatuvei is on a selection knife edge to make the Kiwis for the Four Nations tournament.

The powerful winger is coming off one of his best NRL seasons in recent years. He found a new level of consistency, scored 17 tries in 23 games, averaged a staggering 135 running metres and around three tackle breaks a game.

But the understands his name is in the ‘maybe’ column, with the squad to be announced on Tuesday.

The Kiwis selectors are torn. They know how much Vatuvei brings to the team and how damaging he can be. There is no one better in the game at taking the tough hit-ups after a kick return and his powerful runs offer great momentum. He can be formidable under the high ball and a clinical finisher close to the line.

But he can be vulnerable to defensive bombs and well-placed kicks, and his positioning can be exploited at the highest level.

The final-round match against Penrith encapsulated the dilemma. He scored a wonderful runaway try and ran for 239m (almost double the next best Warrior) in a tireless effort. But the Panthers also scored two tries down his flank and on both occasions, his report card would have read ‘could do better’.

He also typically takes a few weeks to hit full match fitness and form, and the extended break due to the Warriors’ early exit won’t help his cause.