Sea Eagle Hiku gets chance to stake his claim at five-eighth

SEA Eagles back Peta Hiku has been handed the opportunity to claim the New Zealand Test five-eighth spot on their tour of Britain.

Manly's Peta Hiku during Manly Sea Eagles training at Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen.Picture Gregg Porteous

SEA Eagles back Peta Hiku has been handed the opportunity to claim the New Zealand Test five-eighth spot on their tour of Britain.

He has been named at No. 6 for the Kiwis’ opening tour game against Leeds on Saturday morning, with Tuimoala Lolohea at halfback.

And Hiku’s performance could be food for thought for incoming Sea Eagles coach Trent Barrett following the departure of Kieran Foran to the Parramatta Eels.

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Hiku has spent most of his time with Manly on the wing and at fullback.

Manly's Peta Hiku on the attack.

New Zealand coach ­Stephen Kearney is looking at a new halves combination, with Foran and Shaun Johnson unavailable for the tour due to injury.

“This will be an opportunity for those two halves to build combinations with the group around them,” Kearney said.

Sea Eagles recruit Lewis Brown has been named on the bench for the game.