Puzzling position conundrums ahead of World Cup

• Published date: 24 June 2022
• Publication title: Daily Post, The (Rotorua, New Zealand)

The Roosters centre is the Kiwis’ best strike weapon, a player that can dominate any defensive line, with his pace, power and prodigious offloading skills. Coach Michael Maguire wants to use him at fullback, to maximise his involvement and time with the ball

Manu is a natural talent, who can play anywhere, but it will be a steep learning curve, as only 10 of his 129 NRL games have been at the back. Utility Te Maire Martin is the back-up No 1, with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad another option. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has never let the Kiwis down but is down on form and confidence in a struggling Warriors team.

2 Is there a place for Shaun Johnson?

Maguire will likely take three specialist halves to England, plus a couple of utilities across the spine. Given their club form, Jahrome Hughes and Dylan Brown are certainties, which leaves one spot for other contenders such as Johnson, Kieran Foran, and Kodi Nikorima.

It’s hard to imagine the Kiwis going to a big tournament without the mercurial Johnson — and it would be a big call to leave him out — but his selection is no longer guaranteed. His...