NEW Giants signing Paul Whatuira wants to arrive at the Galpharm a winner.
The 26-year-old centre will earn his 14th New Zealand cap in tomorrow’s Gillette Fusion Second Test against Great Britain at Hull’s KC Stadium (6.15).
Whatuira was one of the Kiwis’ best performers when they were beaten 20-14 at the Galpharm six days ago, when he grabbed a first-half try.
But he admits the pressure is on to level the series this weekend and make sure he samples success on British soil before taking up a two-year Super League contract at the Giants.
“This is a huge game for us,” admitted Whatuira. “It’s do or die.
“The simple fact is that if we don’t win tomorrow night, the series is lost, and no-one in the New Zealand camp wants that, especially me.
“When I come to the Giants I want to come on the back of success with New Zealand.
“That’s not going to be easy, because Great Britain played well against us last week, and full credit to them.
“But the performance we put in at Huddersfield was an improvement on the way we had played against Australia the week before (when the Kiwis were thrashed 58-0).
“We’ve trained well this week and are looking forward to getting back onto the field tomorrow night.
“We feel we’ve got a point to prove, and we’re all desperate to make sure we set up a decider at Wigan.”
Preview – Pages 42 & 43.
