Kearney confirms Jordan Rapana in New Zealand mix

[greeneyed]

NRL: Stephen Kearney confirms Canberra Raiders Jordan Rapana in New Zealand selection mix

New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney sums up in one word what impresses him most about Canberra Raiders winger Jordan Rapana – "energy".

"It's the energy he brings to his role with the Raiders – he's been really consistent the way he's applied himself," Kearney said.

"For me, that's been the most impressive part of his performances. We were talking about him prior to the [mid-year] Test. He'd come on the selectors' [radar].

Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-l ... qgdio.html

[Raider Azz]

"In the mix" lmao. If he isn't one of the first picked Kearney might as well resign

[Matt]

IN THE MIX?!?
Name a Kiwi playing better rugby league, any Kiwi!?!

[-PJ-]

Haha Kearney, just pick the bloke already.

Right wing jersey #5

Done.

[DJ89]

You just know he'll go with Perrett.

[Canberra Milk]

In the mix, **** lol

[greeneyed]

Canberra Raiders Jordan Rapana shoots into Kiwi contention

Jordan Rapana has revealed it was a fear of squandering his talent that has led to his late-career purple patch and surge into Kiwi calculations.

"I'm just getting on now age-wise so I'm just trying to play each game as if it's my last," Rapana said. "I'm just trying to play with some desperation and cement a spot here."

"Jordan's always had the talent," coach Ricky Stuart said. "Some guys mature a little bit later in life than others. Jordan's decisions off the field, in regards to his preparation and how he's training, is a big part of why he's at where he is.

Read more: http://www.nrl.com/rapana-shoots-into-k ... fault.aspx

[Johno]

In the mix, **** lol

First picked

[Stumpy]

Shows the limited window for a 'career' in so many professional sports.

"Late-career purple patch", He's just about to turn 27!

[Ruben Daley]

Kearney is playing it down. Rapa will be picked for sure.

[Rob]

nightingale and Kenny Dowall will be the wingers if they are fit. Rapa should be picked the best winger in the comp right now.

[Sid]

Nightingale is putrid


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[Matt]

Nightingale is putrid


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Putrid is harsh.
Past it perhaps. He was one of the better wingers running around for a long time. He isn't anymore, but isn't putrid. Doesn't help that his team cant attack out of a wet paper bag.

[julian87]

nightingale and Kenny Dowall will be the wingers if they are fit. Rapa should be picked the best winger in the comp right now.

This would be hilarious.

There are only a couple of facets of wing play football that each of them trump Rapana in:

- Nightingale: being an old **** who would be top 5 slowest outside backs in the competition

- SKD: flipper hands, horrible decision making, errors at crucial moments and the general absence of a brain

[Matt]

nightingale and Kenny Dowall will be the wingers if they are fit. Rapa should be picked the best winger in the comp right now.

This would be hilarious.

There are only a couple of facets of wing play football that each of them trump Rapana in:

- Nightingale: being an old **** who would be top 5 slowest outside backs in the competition

- SKD: flipper hands, horrible decision making, errors at crucial moments and the general absence of a brain

SKD will be there somewhere for sure. Centre or wing.

[julian87]

nightingale and Kenny Dowall will be the wingers if they are fit. Rapa should be picked the best winger in the comp right now.

This would be hilarious.

There are only a couple of facets of wing play football that each of them trump Rapana in:

- Nightingale: being an old **** who would be top 5 slowest outside backs in the competition

- SKD: flipper hands, horrible decision making, errors at crucial moments and the general absence of a brain

SKD will be there somewhere for sure. Centre or wing.

Which is crazy, crazy stuff.

[Rob]

I would pick Rapa but kearney will pull a one out the NSW playbook loyalty.

[BJ]

Nightingale is putrid


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That's what I think too. But he has played very well for kiwis over the last two years. He reads the play well in defence and can finish off a try. Even if he can't create one.

I sometimes think flashy representative teams need a few plodders to balance the team out.

[Notaroboticfish]

Do NZ play a game at the end of the year?
If they do will RTS be fit at that point? Could shift DWZ to fullback and Rapana to wing (because even though he's currently the best winger in the game, I doubt he gets picked with everyone else fit)

[-TW-]

Aus in Perth

[IronRaiden]

Kearney may be worried about Rap's combo with BJ and how he'll go without his inside man.

[Notaroboticfish]

Kearney may be worried about Rap's combo with BJ and how he'll go without his inside man.

He did pretty well outside of Waqa too tbh