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Home / Sport / League / NRL

League: Perrett to debut as fullback in first Britain test

By Peter Jessup
23 Oct, 2007 04:00 PM4 mins to read

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A dream come true for Sam Perrett. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A dream come true for Sam Perrett. Photo / Mark Mitchell

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KEY POINTS:

Roosters fullback Sam Perrett will make his test debut for the Kiwis against Great Britain in the first game of their three-test series in Huddersfield on Sunday, and Epalahame Lauaki also seems a likely choice to play in his first international.

Perrett is the only specialist fullback available
and has a chance to steal a march over Brent Webb, who is recovering from a shoulder injury, before next year's World Cup.

Lauaki offers more impact from the bench than was on show in Wellington and has eliminated the errors that used to spoil his game.

Coach Gary Kemble has named a 19-man squad that will be reduced later in the week, but it's clear there will be a change in the halves with Souths' Jeremy Smith dropped after a poor display in the 11-try-to-nothing loss to Australia. Lance Hohaia, who has spent the bulk of the NRL season in reserve grade, is the only specialist halfback in the 19, so expect to see him named.

It's also likely the unimpressive Ben Roberts will give way to Wigan's Thomas Leuluai at five-eighths. Leuluai does not have the length of kicking game that Roberts has, but he has come out of Super League finals and his play for the All Golds against the Northern Union, as well as greater experience, should see him get the nod for his eighth international.

"I was going home for a rest," Leuluai said. "It's been a long season and a hard season, but I think my form towards the end picked up. It's always an honour playing for the Kiwis, and if you get the opportunity you are never going to say no. I never said no before, even though I've been in worse form."

Kemble confirmed Perrett's start but is less sure about other positions and will wait to see how training progresses.

"We were pleased with his efforts for the All Golds in his first match at international level. He'll definitely be at fullback, but we're not yet set on our final line-up. There are still some positions and combinations we're looking at before deciding on our line-up."

Bradford winger Tame Tupou, who was added to the touring party after the All Golds game, is likely to be another change from the Wellington test. Warriors lock Louis Anderson also performed well in that match and may beat out the Storm's Jeremy Smith.

Broncos utility Greg Eastwood is a certainty given his ability to provide cover in the forwards and backs.

"The All Golds match was really beneficial for a lot of our players. As we planned, every player in the touring squad has now had a run in the last two weeks - apart from Lance, who was called in as a replacement after the test in Wellington."

Not included in the squad for test one are prop Jeff Lima, halfback Smith, teenage wing Shaun Kenny-Dowall and centre Chase Stanley.

Not considered for selection for this test was replacement centre Clinton Toopi, who is returning to New Zealand with his family before flying back to Britain to be available for tests two and three against the Lions and the one-off game against France.

Great Britain coach Tony Smith has confirmed Jamie Peacock as his captain for the series. Peacock led the Lions in the Tri Nations in 2005 and 2006.

He was chosen ahead of Warrington prop Adrian Morley, who led Britain in Peacock's absence in the mid-season test against France and also captained the Northern Union in Saturday's centenary international against the All Golds.

Morley has been cleared to play after being put on report for a high tackle on Awen Guttenbeil during the All Golds match, after a video review panel ruling he had no case to answer.

Leeds half Danny McGuire is out of the opening test with a hand fracture but is expected to be available for tests two and three. Hull centre Kirk Yeaman is training lightly on a swollen ankle suffered in the All Golds game. Wigan lock Sean O'Loughlin has recovered from a hand injury.

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