Fa'afili gets Kiwi call-up

By PETER JESSUP

Flying wing Henry Fa'afili is poised to become the eighth Warrior in the Kiwi side for the test against France at Ericsson Stadium on Sunday.

Fa'afili was placed on standby last night after Nigel Vagana turned an ankle.

The Kiwi camp were seeking medical advice on Vagana last night after he left the field in the Bulldogs' 0-32 loss to Canberra on Saturday.

The Dogs' doctor said Vagana would be out for two weeks at least with a bad strain.

However he did not believe there was a break, although he could be off for up to a month.

That would give Vagana just two games back ahead of what would have been a certain start against the Australians in Wellington on July 13.

Fa'afili confirmed his eligibility with two brilliant takes of attacking bombs on Friday to score himself and gift a try to fullback Ivan Cleary in the Warriors' remarkable comeback win over the Eagles.

Kiwi coach Gary Freeman last night said he was happy with the squad he had chosen to take on the French. They have their first run, open to the public, at Nga Tapuwae College, Mangere, at 10 am tomorrow.

Eight Warriors in the squad equals the record. Frank Endacott used that many from the Auckland club in the 22-16 win over Australia at Albany in 1998, with Steve Kearney suspended and Syd Eru and Gene Ngamu injured.