Waratah's give league wing a chance
Super 12
February 6, 2001

New South Wales have made an unexpected swoop for Samoan rugby league international wing Brian Leauma ahead of the Super 12 kick off.

An undoubted star in the Samoan Leauma was brought in after injuries to Scott Staniforth, Matt Dowling and Nigel Waugh as former Bristol boss Bob Dwyer looks for a wing to play in a trial match against Aukland this weekend.

His opportunity came only after an injury to NSWA winger Tui Talaia on Friday in a trial match and he was called for having already played in a B game earlier in the day.

"He [Leauma] didn't get the ball a huge amount during the main trial, but when he did he was pretty impressive," Dwyer told the Sydney Morning Herald. "He's definitely worth another look."

In the league world cup Leauma was key in Samoa's progress through to the quarter finals after wins against Scotland and the Maori and actually scored a try against the Australian Kangaroos in the quarter, unfortunately they eventual champions posted 66 points of their own.

The wing is one of the main problem areas for Dwyer as Dowling is expected to miss the early rounds of the Super12, which starts on February24 when the Waratahs play the Chiefs at Sydney.

Another unexpected selection for the weekend's trial match was that of second-rower Jarrod Heaney.

Christian Warner is the Waratah's second string fullback with captain Matt Burke in the box seat but he should get a go at fly-half in the trial match.

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