Hull’s Manu looking forward to Exiles reunion with Lauaki

Hull FC’s Willie Manu reckons the call-up of former club-mate Epalahame Lauaki is just what the depleted Exiles require ahead of Saturday’s International Origin opener against England.

Coach Daniel Anderson was forced to name a highly-revised squad yesterday after a total of six players withdrew from the game at St Helens.

Crucially, in-form Wigan Warriors stand-off Brett Finch is among that sextet along with club-mate George Carmont and Catalan duo Lopini Paea and Louis Anderson.

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Huddersfield’s Luke O’Donnell and Warrington’s Michael Monaghan are the other absentees with Anderson needing to call up explosive Wigan forward Lauaki to bolster his threadbare options.

When asked by the Yorkshire Post what he will bring to the squad, second-row Manu responded: “He doesn’t lack a bit of aggression, does he?

“He’ll fit right in here. We’ve got a strong squad but it’s good to have him on board. When he left Hull at the end of last season I thought we wouldn’t ever play together again so this is great.

“No one’s bothered about injuries. We’ve just come into camp, slotted in where the coach wants us and stayed positive to make sure we get the job done.”

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The inclusion of Lauaki – the volatile second-row who formed part of Hull’s ‘Tongan Mafia’ along with Manu and Sam Moa – will certainly add further robustness to an Exiles pack which already includes Jeff Lima and Sia Soliola.

Indeed Manu admits being a little overawed by the sheer quality of overseas stars in the squad.

“I really enjoyed it last year,” he said, having featured in the inaugural contest at Headingley, which the Exiles won courtesy of Carmont’s late try.

“And this time it’s no different. I think I’m one of the only players not to have played representative games. Playing alongside all these Australian and New Zealand internationals makes me feel like a little kid again.”

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The Exiles will undoubtedly look to overpower England up front to offset Finch’s unfortunate absence, the gifted Australian who would have guided their side.

But Exiles assistant coach Mike Rush said: “The size of the pack that we’ve got here and the athleticism of these players makes it an exciting prospect.

“Lauaki is another big man. We’re blessed with big men in the middle of the field but we have to use them in the right way.

“As for the injuries, players are always going to get bumps and bruises on the weekend leading up to a training camp. We haven’t got time to see how all those bumps and bruises will settle down; we need to get straight into it now.

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“The 17 players we’ve got in now are really looking forward to it and are really up for it.

“This will hopefully give Steve McNamara’s lads the run-out that they need and it’ll be a fantastic fixture for all the players preparing for the World Cup next year.” Manu, meanwhile, admits he is glad the speculation about his future is now over after St Helens confirmed on Monday he will join them next season until 2014.

Hull had offered their talismanic player a significant sum to sign up for another three years.

However, the lure of playing for his former St George Illawarra coach Nathan Brown at Saints as well as, potentially, a greater chance of silverware proved too much. “I’m glad it’s all done and dusted now so I can concentrate on playing for Hull,” said the 32-year-old, with the East Yorkshire club having seen winning positions disappear in each of their last three Super League fixtures.

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“We haven’t been playing for 80 minutes and know what we have to do to address that.

“We’ve still got the potential to do well this season and need to work hard to try and get back up there towards the top sides.”

Hull have fallen to sixth but remain level on points with fourth-placed St Helens and have a game in hand.

Having failed to win a trophy in his five years since joining from Castleford Tigers, Manu would love to go out on a high at Old Trafford.

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That is where Saints have been for the last six seasons, something which attracted Manu, while equally enticing for the neutral will be the sight of him facing Lauaki in the Saints v Wigan derby.

All that, though, is after they reunite to take on England.

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