Kemble calls for Toopi to boost battered Kiwis
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Kiwi coach, Gary Kemble, has brought the Leeds centre, Clinton Toopi, into his battered squad for Saturday's second Test with Great Britain. Toopi, who was not considered for the first meeting, after taking his family home to New Zealand, is covering for Tame Tupou's knee injury.
The 27-year-old won the last of his 19 caps in the mid-season international against Great Britain last year, but is now in line for a recall if the Bradford winger does not recover in time for the second Test at Hull.
Epi Lauaki, with a calf strain, and Fuifui Moimoi are both rated doubtful with injuries from the Test at Huddersfield and Jeff Lima and David Faiumu are added to the squad. "They're making good progress but it's too early to make a final decision," said Kemble of the trio. "We'll wait until later in the week before confirming our final line-up."
The outspoken NZRL chairman, Andrew Chalmers, has claimed that Moimoi has been suffering from jaw and whiplash injuries since Sam Burgess' tackle on him in the first Test and has been unable to eat solid food.
The RFL said yesterday that it would not be responding to Chalmers' complaint that the decision not to charge Burgess had left him "gobsmacked".
Promoted Castleford have continued their team-building for next season in Super League by signing the Salford forward, Mark Edmondson.
Edmondson spent a successful eight years at St Helens, but his last two seasons, at Sydney City and Salford, have been blighted by injuries.
Cas have also re-signed the former Wakefield winger, Michael Wainwright, who scored 18 tries for them last season, including their first in the Grand Final victory over Widnes. Both players have agreed one-year contracts.
"We believe we have made two good signings, especially as they both probably feel that they have something to prove," said the Tigers' chief executive, Richard Wright.
The administrator running crisis-hit Widnes has delayed a decision on which bid for the club to accept until today. The Vikings are set to lose two more players, with Scott Grix and Oliver Wilkes wanted by Wakefield.
Salford have promoted two Academy players, Leon Walker and Jason Walton, to the first team squad.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments