Tupou the new Kangaroo

The Australian Kangaroos and New Zealand Kiwis have made changes to there teams for the second tri nations Test this Saturday night to be played at the Telstra Dome in Melbourne.

Young Sydney Roosters forward, Anthony Tupou will make his international debut due to an ankle injury to Reni Maitua. This is the only change made by the victorious Australian side that defeated the Kiwis 30-18 in the series opener in Auckland last weekend.

Melbourne Storm forward, Anthony Kaufusi has been called up to replace Maitua in the squad for the rest of the series, he is yet to play an international game for Australia and will be searching for his first cap.

“I’m very excited. A bit shell shocked and surprised, but I’m definitely fit and fired up if they need me on Saturday night,” said Kaufusi.

“I didn’t think I’d be named in the squad, but it’s unbelievable, so I’ll just get to Melbourne and enjoy my time down there.”

Bulldogs captain Andrew Ryan has been called up to start in place of the injured Maitua, meaning that Tupou has been added to the interchange bench for the second game of the series.

The Kiwis made two changes to there team, with Shontayne Hape to replace Brisbane flyer Tame Tupou in the starting side, while forward David Fa'alogo is replacing Penrith’s Frank Pritchard on the interchange bench.

Meanwhile Kangaroos prop, Willie Mason has been cleared of any serious damage to his eye that was hurt in a clash with Kiwi forward David Kidwell and will play in Saturday nights second Test.

Kangaroos
Karmichael Hunt, Matt King, Mark Gasnier, Justin Hodges, Greg Inglis, Darren Lockyer (c), Johnathan Thurston, Luke O'Donnell, Nathan Hindmarsh, Andrew Ryan, Petero Civoniceva, Cameron Smith, Willie Mason. Interchange: Mark O'Meley, Shaun Berrigan, Anthony Tupou, Brent Kite.

Kiwis
Brent Webb, Shontayne Hape, Iosia Soliola, Steve Matai, Manu Vatuvei, Nigel Vagana, Stacey Jones, Simon Mannering, Tony Puletua, David Kidwell, Roy Asotasi, Dene Halatau, Ruben Wiki (c). Interchange: Jerome Ropati, Nathan Cayless, Adam Blair, David Fa’alogo.

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