Pettybourne Kiwi 4 Nations Call Up
26th October 2009
South Sydney second rower Eddy Pettybourne has made his way to France to link up with the Kiwis for the remainder of New Zealand’s Four Nations campaign. The 21-year-old Christchurch-born, South Sydney junior was called into the squad hours after the Kiwis’ dramatic 20-all draw with Australia in their opening match of the tournament at Twickenham Stoop last Saturday night local time. Pettybourne is set to join the Kiwis in Toulouse today ahead of their second Four Nations match against France next Saturday night. Pettybourne will join team mate Issac Luke in the Kiwis squad, hoping to make his New Zealand debut during the Four Nations tournament. The Kiwis originally named 23 players rather than the permitted 24 but officially registered former Junior Kiwi Pettybourne as their non-travelling 24th player before the tournament started. New Zealand Coach Stephen Kearney said a decision to rush Pettybourne to France was made with first-choice second rower Bronson Harrison in doubt to play against the French after a calf injury forced him off the field early in the second half on the weekend. “We need Eddy here to give us cover in the back row,” Kearney said. “Greg (Eastwood) missed the match against Australia with a hamstring injury but we’re expecting he will be ready to play again against France. “Now Bronson has this calf injury and is a doubtful starter for our game in Toulouse.” Pettybourne played for the Junior Kiwis in their win over the Junior Kangaroos in Wellington in 2007. After making his NRL debut for South Sydney in 2007, he had played eight first-grade matches by the end of 2008. However, he featured in all 24 of the Rabbitohs’ games this year, used as a starting second rower in each of the last nine matches. Congratulations to Eddy Pettybourne on his inclusion in the New Zealand Kiwis squad