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<big>**Allure of Mal Meninga's Maroons tempts Junior Kiwis Sam Kasiano and Lama Tasi to Queensland**</big>
By Chris Garry and Steve Ricketts The Courier-Mail March 08, 2012 10:34AM
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The allure of Mal Meninga's Maroons is so powerful that even New Zealand league legend Gary Freeman admits he would have pledged allegiance to Queensland.
Meninga has coaxed several New Zealand-born league players to the Maroons' cause during the past six months, including props Lama Tasi and Sam Kasiano, who have both played for the Junior Kiwis.
Freeman, a feisty halfback who played 45 Tests for New Zealand, said he did not begrudge young Kiwis for pledging allegiance to Queensland.
He said the development and profile provided through the Maroons could not be matched by the NZRL.
"Mal is right to chase these kids. Why wouldn't he want the best talent he can get," Freeman said.
"If I had to make a choice between NZ and the Maroons now, I'd turn up to Queensland training."
On Wednesday, Meninga confirmed that Canterbury-Bankstown star Sam Kasiano and Sydney Roosters forward Lama Tasi have pledged their futures to the Maroons, despite having represented the Junior Kiwis.
"We need to be a bit more direct with our networking," Meninga said.
"I'm hoping to get around to seeing players at all the NRL clubs in the next month or so.
"Sam (Kasiano) has indicated he wants to play for Queensland, just like Lama (Tasi).
"Lama played nine NRL games last year and I knew he was from Goodna, so I just followed up with a meeting with him before Christmas. We named him in our Emerging Origin squad.
"It was Lama's intimidating defence which first caught my eye. But his running game will develop."
Meninga said Roosters second rower Aiden Guerra also was in his sights, with the Townsville Brothers junior coming on in leaps and bounds.
"We have a plethora of backrowers," Meninga said.
"In fact we're pretty well covered in most positions, but we haven't got the depth where we can take things for granted.
"That's why we have to try to hold on to the players of Kiwi or Pacific Island backgrounds who have come through our systems."
http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/state-of-origin/allure-of-mal-meningas-maroons-tempts-junior-kiwis-sam-kasiano-and-lama-tasi-to-queensland/story-fn31yxah-1226293168381
By Chris Garry and Steve Ricketts The Courier-Mail March 08, 2012 10:34AM
\
\
The allure of Mal Meninga's Maroons is so powerful that even New Zealand league legend Gary Freeman admits he would have pledged allegiance to Queensland.
Meninga has coaxed several New Zealand-born league players to the Maroons' cause during the past six months, including props Lama Tasi and Sam Kasiano, who have both played for the Junior Kiwis.
Freeman, a feisty halfback who played 45 Tests for New Zealand, said he did not begrudge young Kiwis for pledging allegiance to Queensland.
He said the development and profile provided through the Maroons could not be matched by the NZRL.
"Mal is right to chase these kids. Why wouldn't he want the best talent he can get," Freeman said.
"If I had to make a choice between NZ and the Maroons now, I'd turn up to Queensland training."
On Wednesday, Meninga confirmed that Canterbury-Bankstown star Sam Kasiano and Sydney Roosters forward Lama Tasi have pledged their futures to the Maroons, despite having represented the Junior Kiwis.
"We need to be a bit more direct with our networking," Meninga said.
"I'm hoping to get around to seeing players at all the NRL clubs in the next month or so.
"Sam (Kasiano) has indicated he wants to play for Queensland, just like Lama (Tasi).
"Lama played nine NRL games last year and I knew he was from Goodna, so I just followed up with a meeting with him before Christmas. We named him in our Emerging Origin squad.
"It was Lama's intimidating defence which first caught my eye. But his running game will develop."
Meninga said Roosters second rower Aiden Guerra also was in his sights, with the Townsville Brothers junior coming on in leaps and bounds.
"We have a plethora of backrowers," Meninga said.
"In fact we're pretty well covered in most positions, but we haven't got the depth where we can take things for granted.
"That's why we have to try to hold on to the players of Kiwi or Pacific Island backgrounds who have come through our systems."
http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/state-of-origin/allure-of-mal-meningas-maroons-tempts-junior-kiwis-sam-kasiano-and-lama-tasi-to-queensland/story-fn31yxah-1226293168381
