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'He is very fast' - Taranaki teen Mawene Hiroti to make NRL debut for Rabbitohs against Broncos

The South Sydney Rabbitohs saw something in Taranaki teenager Mawene Hiroti as a 14-year-old.

The NRL club are now giving the young outside back a shot at first-grade tomorrow night in Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium against the Broncos.

The 19-year-old flyer has been named on the interchange bench with stars Greg Inglis, Alex Johnson, Campbell Graham and Robert Jennings sidelined with injuries.

The New Zealand born speedster can play centre, wing and fullback and has represented Australia in 2016 at schoolboys level but last year opted to play for the New Zealand Kiwis U18 side.

Hiroti has been on fire in the Intrust Super Premiership for the Bears, with Rabbitohs teammate Adam Reynolds talking up the young star's credentials.

"(Inglis) won't play this week, we will rest him up and give the young fella Mawene, who's been playing great for the Bears, we will give him a chance to step up and make his NRL debut," Reynolds told nrl.com .

"He is fast, very fast. He is a good kid with a good attitude.

"He is a young bloke and he has been biting at the heels for a bit now, and he has been playing well in reserve grade.

New Zealand 18s Mawene Hiroti is tackled during a match against the Australian Schoolboys.
New Zealand 18s v Australian Schoolboys, NZRL, The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand. 30 September 2017. © Copyright Image: Marc Shannon / www.photosport.nz.

“I'm looking forward to seeing him when he gets his chance."

Hiroti made the move across the ditch five years ago, with the Rabbitohs signing him at the age of 14.

He played for the Western Suburbs Tigers rugby league club in New Plymouth as a junior before being snapped up by the Rabbitohs in 2013 on a four year contract after playing a match for the South Sydney club's representative grade team.

His contract has since been extended until the end of 2019.

Hiroti played in the Rabbitohs' World Club match against the Wigan Warriors in February, with his club side coming out on top 18-8 at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

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