Iosefo suffered fractured ribs and a head injury in a car accident last month and did more damage today, as he helped guide his provincial team to the national title at North Harbour’s Rosedale Park.
Just getting to tournament was a big effort from Iosefo, but then he injured his groin before today’s final against Auckland, which had thrashed Canterbury 9-2 in pool play.
Although he was hindered, Iosefa didn’t give up any runs against Auckland and Josh Thompson’s midfield drive in the fifth innings produced a shock 2-0 win, making the pain all worthwhile for Iosefa, who was then confirmed in his first world championship squad.
“I got a bit of massage, and just stuck to my guns and came back,” says Iosefo.
Shoulder surgery kept Hutt Valley’s Rhys Casley from the tournament, but he was also named to lead a national team stacked with experience.
“There are a couple of guys coming back after a lay-off, but there’s obviously a lot of youth in there as well,” he says. “I think we’ve got good balance and pretty exciting for all of them.”
Queensland-born infielder Tyron Bartorillo shared in Canterbury’s triump and was named in the Black Sox, three years after he helped Australia beat New Zealand at the last world champs.
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“It’s a bit of a coupe for us to get him in the team,” says assistant coach Dave Workman. “He’s lived here for five or six years now – when he pledged his allegiance to New Zealand, he became public enemy No 1 for [the Aussies].”
Coach Eddie Kohlhase’s 17-player team features veterans Jarrad Martin, Thomas Makea, Donny Hale and Brad Rona. Martin and Makea will be playing in their fifth world championship, while for Hale and Rona, it will be their fourth.
But the roster also includes world championship rookies Iosefo, Nik Hayes, Tyson Byrne and Jerome Haretuku.
Aaron Stroman-Neemia and Wayne Laulu were members of the Samoa team at the 2004 world championship. Stroman- Neemia was also named in the 2009 Black Sox team, but had to withdraw for personal reasons.
Gone from the team that were runners-up to Australia at the 2009 tournament are Nathan Nukunuku, Marty Grant, Paul Walford, Gareth Cook and Stephen Ratu.
The world championship will take place at North Harbour’s Rosedale Park, March 1-10, 2013.
Black Sox: Heinie Shannon, Patrick Shannon, Donny Hale, Ben Enoka, Jerome Haretuku (all Auckland), Penese Iosefo, Tyron Bartorillo, Daniel Milne (all Canterbury), Rhys Casley (captain), Nik Hayes, Tyson Byrne (all Hutt Valley), Aaron Stroman-Neemia, Wayne Laulu, Thomas Makea, Jarrad Martin (all Wellington), Brad Rona (North Harbour), Jeremy Manley (USA-based).