Wests Tigers are set to replace one teen tyro with another, calling highly rated 18-year-old Latu Fainu up for his NRL debut in place of the suspended Lachlan Galvin.
Galvin starred in Monday’s gutsy upset win over Parramatta only to have his breakout NRL performance soured by a hip drop charge on Kelma Tuilagi.
Galvin will accept a two-game suspension, ruling him out of Saturday’s trip to Redcliffe to face the Dolphins and the following week’s clash with St George Illawarra.
Fainu has been told he will make his first-grade debut against the Dolphins, though it is not yet clear if that will be stepping into the No.6 jersey alongside veteran halfback Aidan Sezer or coming off the bench.
Fellow young playmaker Jayden Sullivan has played a utility role for the Tigers for the past two weeks and could be elevated back into the starting side, with Fainu to take his place in the No.14 jumper.
Fainu’s signing alongside brother Samuela on lucrative four-year deals was heralded as a much-needed recruitment coup during the Tigers’ wooden spoon campaign last year, the pair lured from Manly after the Dolphins withdrew from negotiations.
The Dragons and Bulldogs were keen on his services, but rising prop Terrell May won’t be leaving Bondi Junction.
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