League: South's struggles can't hide Fa'alogo's form

SURFERS PARADISE, Queensland - David Fa'alogo was hopeful his National Rugby League (NRL) performances would get him noticed by the Kiwi selectors, despite playing in a struggling side.

South Sydney remain the only winless club in the competition, but Fa'alogo bolted firstly into the expanded 19-man test squad, and then into the playing 17.

The second rower has been included on the bench for the Anzac clash against the Kangaroos in Brisbane tomorrow night.

With Souths stuggling at the bottom of the ladder, Fa'alogo said his aim was to make sure he was doing his own job within the team.

He has done enough to achieve what he said was one of his targets for this season - getting his first cap.

"It's awesome, an honour to represent your country," he said.

"I was pretty happy with my form. It was one of my goals at the beginning of the year to make the Kiwis. It's come true and I can't wait."

Formerly with the Mount Albert club, Fa'alogo, 25, made his first-grade debut with the Rabbitohs three years ago and has been in eyecatching form this season.

When Wakefield's David Solomona was stranded in England with passport problems, Fa'alogo got the call up on the back of his strong running and aggressive tackling.

He made the 17 when the selectors opted for an extra backrower on the bench.

Meanwhile, fellow new cap Tame Tupou described his own inclusion as a surprise, even though he had been a strong tip to replace injured winger Manu Vatuvei in the starting 13.

"It's been a goal for me for a while, but I didn't know it was going to come this quick," he said.

Tupou, 23, will be facing three of his Brisbane Bronco team-mates when he runs on to the club's home ground of Suncorp Stadium - skipper Darren Lockyer, prop Petero Civoniceva and New Zealand-born fullback Karmichael Hunt.

He was sure Lockyer and Civoniceva would be fired up, having been part of the Kangaroos' unsuccessful Tri-Nations campaign last year.

He was good mates with Hunt, who has been a centre of attention in the build-up to the test with his decision to represent Australia rather than New Zealand.

Tupou had yet to get in contact with Hunt, who was a surprise replacement for the injured Anthony Minichiello.

He might pass on a message or two after the Kiwis reach Brisbane today from their Gold Coast.

- NZPA