Halauafu Lavaka has been named so start for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles side that takes on the Cronulla Sharks at Remondis Stadium on Sunday.
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The Waratah Tigers junior has been given the number five jersey in the trial after a solid Auckland Nines campaign.
Lavaka managed to cross the paint once during Manly’s run at the Nines in the Sea Eagles last round match against the Bulldogs.
The Sea Eagles made it through to the finals but were bundled out by an over-achieving Gold Coast outfit in the quarter-finals.
Lavaka’s inclusion in the trial match is another step towards his dream of playing in the NRL.
A couple of outstanding games could hand Lavaka one of the wing positions in Manly’s first grade side when March rolls around.
The Sea Eagles’ will play a second trial match against the Ipswich Jets at Pittwater Park on Saturday, February 20.
Andrew and David Fifita will miss the match due to their duties with the Indigenous All Stars side.
Andrew has been named to start in the annual clash while David is due to come in off the bench.
The All Stars match will kick-off at 6.50pm on Saturday night.