Taylor to Debut, Blair and Fien Return For Wales Clash

Taylor to Debut, Blair and Fien Return For Wales Clash

London, England, November 2, 2011 – Adam Blair’s return from suspension, a debut for Elijah Taylor and Nathan Fien’s recall are the features of the Kiwis’ line-up for their Four Nations clash against Wales at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

Wests Tigers-bound Blair (25) will be having his first match since August 26 after being banned following Melbourne’s NRL battle against Manly at Brookvale Oval.

He comes into the second row for his 23rd Test, replacing Simon Mannering who is to have his first break from a heavy 31-match schedule this year. He not only captained the Vodafone Warriors in each of their 28 NRL games but also appeared in the Anzac Test against the Kangaroos in May and the two internationals against Australia on October 16 and 28.

Fien is on the bench after missing the Four Nations opener against Australia last Friday night, Wigan’s Thomas Leuluai moves into the starting hooker’s role and Issac Luke has the week off.

And the 21-year-old Taylor (21) becomes Kiwi No 770 after being named on the interchange, capping a remarkable season by making his NRL and Test debuts in the same year. Taylor has forced his way into the 17-man squad following Brisbane utility Alex Glenn’s selection in the centres. His Broncos team-mate Gerard Beale, who was in the centres for the last two Tests against Australia, moves onto the wing with North Queensland’s Kalifa Faifai Loa making way.

“As we do every Test we play, we have selected the side that we think best suits our needs for this match against Wales,” said Kiwi coach Stephen Kearney.

“After being out for so long, it’s great to have Adam back. He has been working hard to get himself ready for this.

“It’s a chance to give Simon a break as well. He has had a huge year, not only playing every game so far but also playing 80 minutes almost every time as well.”

Kearney said while the Kiwis had shown improvement against Australia last week, the onus was on the players to lift the level of their performance again against the Welsh on Saturday. The Test is the first leg of a doubleheader at the famous Wembley Stadium, followed by the England-Australia encounter.

Kearney has personal experience of playing at the old Wembley in the first Test against Great Britain in 1993 while hooker Leuluai played at the new ground in Wigan’s Challenge Cup final triumph against Leeds in August.

With Taylor earning selection, six of the touring squad’s eight rookies have now been chosen to make their debuts during this campaign. Kevin Locke, Russell Packer, Faifai Loa, Beale and Glenn all had their first Tests against the Kangaroos in Newcastle on October 16.

A little more than a year ago Taylor scored two tries while leading the Vodafone Junior Warriors to the NYC premiership before making his NRL debut for the club in April this year, going on to make 21 appearances and scoring a try in the grand final loss to Manly.

The Kiwis return to training today after having time off since arriving in London last Sunday. Apart from looking around the city the players and staff all took part in a Monopoly-styled amazing race around London yesterday, the four teams within the touring party required to complete a range of tasks around the city.

The players have a field session at the Wasps Rugby Club this morning (where Great Britain rugby league legend Shaun Edwards is the coach). Tonight the Kiwis will join the other three Four Nations teams at the Tower of London for the Rugby League International Federation’s annual awards dinner. There’ll be a tour before dinner to view the crown jewels while team photos are also scheduled outside the White Tower.

The Kiwis among finalists for various awards are captain Benji Marshall, Kieran Foran, Jason Nightingale, Adam Blair, Thomas Leuluai, Issac Luke and the injured Matt Duffie.

ENDS

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