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Originally from Auckland's Manurewa club, he was in the Junior Kiwi team that produced a memorable 17-16 win over the Junior Kangaroos in 1997 (also a Junior Kiwi in 1996). Physically similar to Kiwi great Olsen Filipaina, he helped the Warriors to the 1997 Super League reserve grade final. First grade debut in 1998, when he was included in the starting line-up three times in his 11 appearances. Filled in for an injured Matthew Ridge at fullback, scoring his first try for the club in the heartstopping 24-21 win against Melbourne. Seemed to be on the verge of a major breakthrough in the centres in 1999. Played there for the first five games, scoring tries in the first two against Sydney City and North Sydney. After a game on the interchange bench, he played fullback against North Queensland followed by another six run-on appearances at centre but was then hampered by hamstring trouble.
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