League: Taylor to debut as Blair and Fien back

APNZ

3 Nov, 2011 04:30 PM3 mins to read

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 Sunday.

Wests Tigers-bound Blair, 25, will play 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 2011 schedule.

Mannering not only captained the 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 Saturday morning, Wigan's Thomas Leuluai moves into the starting hooker's role and Issac Luke has the week off.

The 21-year-old Taylor will become Kiwi No 770 after being named on the interchange, capping a remarkable season by making his NRL and test debuts in the same year.

He has forced his way into the 17-man squad after Brisbane utility Alex Glenn's selection in the centres.

His Broncos teammate Gerard Beale, who was in the centres for the past two tests against Australia, moves on to 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."

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 Sunday.

The test is the first leg of a double-header at the famous Wembley Stadium, followed by the England-Australia encounter.

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.

Less than a year ago Taylor scored two tries while leading the Junior Warriors to the NYC [under-20] premiership before making his NRL debut in April.

KIWIS v WALES

Wembley Stadium, 1.30am Sunday

1 Kevin Locke

2 Gerard Beale

3 Lewis Brown

4 Alex Glenn

5 Jason Nightingale

6 Benji Marshall (c)

7 Kieran Foran

8 Sam McKendry

9 Thomas Leuluai

10 Ben Matulino