Fusitu'a to make Kiwi debut

Vodafone Warriors wing David Fusitu'a will join four 2016 club-mates in the Kiwis' Four Nations clash against Scotland on Saturday morning. Image | www.photosport.nz

Author: Image , www.photosport.nz
Timestamp: Thu 10 Nov 2016, 08:44 AM

Vodafone Warriors wing David Fusitu'a is among four players named to make their Kiwi international debuts in New Zealand's Four Nations clash against Scotland in Workington (9.00am, Saturday, NZT).

Fusitu'a (22), who has played at Test level for Mate Ma'a Tonga, has been selected on the right wing replacing Canberra's Jordan Rapana.

The other three first-time Kiwis have been named on the bench - Penrith half Te Maire Martin (21), his club-mate James Fisher-Harris (20) - who plays second row or prop - and Canberra back rower Joseph Tapine (22).

One-test Kiwi Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (21) has been named at fullback in place of Jordan Kahu.

Fusitu'a becomes Kiwi #799 while the first of the three new faces on the bench to take the field will be Kiwi #800.

The New Zealand team has moved camp to Carlisle ahead of the game at Workington's Derwent Park (now known as Zebra Claims Stadium).

With this line-up, all 24 members of the touring squad will have played during the Four Nations tournament.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for these young players," said head coach David Kidwell.

"They are hungry, their effort and attitude in training has shown me that, and they’ll bring a lot of energy.”

After the 8-14 loss to Australia last Sunday, it's must-win game if the Kiwis are to stay on track to make the final.

“The most important thing right now is we need to win. Scotland started really well against England and we need to respect that," said Kidwell.

"They have improved every game and if you add that on top of the conditions, we have a tough challenge ahead.

“The guys making their debuts deserve the opportunity to play. They have worked extremely hard and have been pushing for spots all tour.”

Veteran Jason Nightingale returns to the team after missing last week’s encounter.

Manu Ma’u and Greg Eastwood come into the starting team replacing Kevin Proctor and Jason Taumalolo, while Gerard Beale shifts to centre in place of Shaun Kenny-Dowall.