League: It just might be time for Fien

Nathan Fien

MELBOURNE - Kiwis coach Brian McClennan has made two changes to his team but hasn't ruled out unveiling trump card, Nathan Fien, a week early against the Kangaroos on Saturday.

McClennan yesterday recalled British-based Bradford wing Shontayne Hape to the starting side for Brisbane's Tame Tupou, while South Sydney forward David Fa'alogo replaces Penrith's Frank Pritchard on the bench after the 18-30 Tri-Nations loss to the Kangaroos in Auckland.

But the sight of the Warriors' Queensland-born utility Fien running at dummy half for much of yesterday's training in the Melbourne suburbs dropped a fair hint he was close to a test debut after joining the squad this week.

Fien, 27, played State of Origin for Queensland in 2001 but qualifies for the Kiwis through a New Zealand-born grandmother.

He pledged his allegiance to New Zealand this year, but was expected to miss much of the Tri-Nations series after suffering a back injury late in the NRL season.

"He's coming along in leaps and bounds. Three weeks ago we weren't anticipating having him available until about November 11," McClennan said. "Whether he's right for this week, I don't know, we'll see how he pulls up. There's a chance."

McClennan named Dene Halatau at hooker but admitted more spark at dummy half was one of "about 20" areas he wanted his team to improve on from last weekend.

"Nathan's a skilled dummy half. Dene and Jerome Ropati did a fair job for us but it's not a position that they're used to playing."

McClennan said he would wait "however long it takes" to decide on Fien's fitness.

Hape, who played for Bradford in their Super League semifinal loss to Hull on October 7, arrived in Melbourne last Saturday and watched his Kiwis teammates play on television.

The former Warrior, 25, made his test debut in 2004 and was one of the stars of last year's 24-0 Tri-Nations final win over the Kangaroos.

His previous test appearance was in the makeshift side that suffered a heavy loss to Britain in June.

"Yeah, it was a surprise. I've just finished my season in England and it's an honour to come back and represent my country," Hape said.

"I played with a few of these boys before and it's just like a family reunion coming back here."

McClennan said: "He's one of the topline players in Super League. We're rapt to have him available."

Fa'alogo, 26, comes in for his second test after making his debut in the Anzac test loss in May, as Pritchard pays the price for the late inroads the Kangaroos forwards made in Auckland.

"David's been playing some long minutes in the NRL and he brings us a bit more endurance in the middle," McClennan said.

"As the game wore on Australia were targeting us up the middle so he'll help tie us up a bit in there."

British-based players Jason Cayless and Motu Tony, who played in the Super League grand final at the weekend, are flying south to join the squad but weren't included in the team for Saturday.

* Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart last night said his side would pay due respect to the haka on Saturday night and what's more, hulking prop Willie Mason would keep his mouth shut.

Stuart said Mason had learned his lesson from the Tri-Nations series opener in Auckland when he was caught on television cameras swearing at Kiwis fullback Brent Webb during the haka.

Mason was cleared yesterday of a fractured eye socket to take his place in the side for the second match. The Kangaroos have just one enforced change: Sydney Roosters forward Anthony Tupou is named for his test debut off the bench after Reni Maitua was ruled out of the series with an ankle injury.

KIWIS

Brent Webb, Shontayne Hape, Iosia Soliola, Steve Matai, Manu Vatuvei, Nigel Vagana, Stacey Jones, Ruben Wiki (c), Dene Halatau, Roy Asotasi, David Kidwell, Tony Puletua, Simon Mannering

KANGAROOS

Karmichael Hunt, Matt King, Mark Gasnier, Justin Hodges, Greg Inglis, Darren Lockyer (c), J. Thurston, Willie Mason, Cameron Smith, Petero Civoniceva, Andrew Ryan, N. Hindmarsh, Luke O'Donnell/

Interchange

Kiwis: Jerome Ropati, Nathan Cayless, Adam Blair, David Fa'alogo

Kangaroos: Mark O'Meley, Shaun Berrigan, Anthony Tupou, Brent Kite

- NZPA