TEST DRIVE

Fiji debut hands Tweed forward fresh shot at the NRL

TWEED coach Ben Woolf believes Lamar Liolevave has the talent to reignite his NRL career and the back-rower will today have a golden chance to take the first step. A one-game NRL player for Wests Tigers in 2015, Keebra Park product Liolevave will showcase his talents on the international stage when he makes his Test debut for Fiji against Samoa in Auckland. The 23-year-old (left), who was born in Auckland and played for the Junior Kiwis in 2014, qualifies for Fiji through his grandmother and will become Tweed’s fifth international representative this year in the 11.20am battle at Eden Park.

Joined by former Titan Ben Nakubuwai in the Bati line-up, Liolevave will come off the bench in a game Woolf says could kickstart his journey back to the NRL.

“I definitely think he does (have the talent)” Woolf said.

“I think the key for him is finding consistency with his footy. If he can find that, I think he’s definitely capable of playing at a high level,

“He’s a really good bloke, Lamar. He had a game with Wests Tigers but it just didn’t eventuate for him. He probably didn’t work hard enough to stay in those systems.

“He’s a very athletic backrower with good footwork and strong carry. He finished the year really strongly, which is what the selection has come off the back of.”

Liolevave has been a pillar of strength in three seasons with Tweed, missing just one

Intrust Super Cup game each year to rack up 66 appearances in the black and white.

His efforts, which helped the Seagulls reach the semifinals this year for the first time since 2014, caught the eye of ISC rivals and Broncos feeder club Redcliffe but he has recommitted to Tweed for 2020.

“Redcliffe did offer him a contract but he knocked it back to stay with Tweed and continue his progression with us,” Woolf said.

“We were probably pretty unlucky to lose to Redcliffe in the semi-final and the guys realised that if we stick together ... we can do a bit better in this competition.”

Tweed’s CJ Sims and Teaghan Hartigan played for Fiji’s women’s team this year, while Jillaroo Tarryn Aiken featured at the World Cup Nines.

Seagulls Mal Meninga Cup graduate Xavier Coates made his Test debut for PNG against Samoa in June and is likely to line up against Fiji next weekend.