All is forgiven it seems for Reni Maitua after Samoa named the controversial forward for Sunday’s crunch Four Nations clash with Australia in Wollongong.
The same day his lawyer appeared on his behalf in Brisbane Magistrates Court after his arrest over a nightclub brawl, Maitua was selected for the first time in the tournament by Samoa coach Matt Parish for the crucial showdown with the Kangaroos.
Ex-Kangaroos Test forward Maitua finally gets a nod on the bench as Samoa look to snatch a history-making Four Nations final berth.
All four teams are still in contention for the decider and Samoa will be backing themselves to pull off one of the great upsets after strong Four Nations showings to date.
Parish’s win-less side can make the decider if New Zealand win on Saturday and Samoa make up a 10-point differential to England in what would be a stunning maiden victory over world champions Australia on Sunday.
The Kangaroos were not taking any chances against the Samoans in their final must-win round robin match, promoting hard-hitting Josh Papalii in a pack reshuffled due to Beau Scott’s injury.
Maitua has not played since he was arrested along with Samoan teammates Tautau Moga and Sauaso Sue following a nightclub fight on October 19, just days ahead of their tournament opener against England in Brisbane.
The trio’s cases were adjourned until December 4 after their lawyers appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday seeking CCTV footage of the nightclub incident.
All three were suspended from the opening 32-26 loss to England and fined $10,000 each by the NRL.
However, Moga and Sue were recalled in last weekend’s 14-12 loss to New Zealand.
Maitua finally gets a run after replacing Dominique Peyroux on the interchange but Sue and Moga weren’t so fortunate on Tuesday.
Antonio Winterstein replaces Moga on the wing and Pita Godinet starts at hooker with Sue back to the bench.
Papalii will start at prop, with Sam Thaiday shifting to the second row to replace Scott (hamstring).
Robbie Farah, Aidan Guerra and Ryan Hoffman have been added to the 17, with Ben Hunt and David Klemmer dropped to an extended bench also featuring Matt Moylan.
Meanwhile, England coach Steve McNamara kept the faith with the 17 left shattered by last weekend’s 16-12 loss to Australia in Melbourne.
England missed a chance to knock Australia out of the tournament with a win.
However, if England beat the Kiwis in Dunedin on Saturday night Australia will be in danger of missing the final of a tournament for the first time since the 1954 World Cup.
New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney has made minor changes after a hot and cold display against Samoa.
On the bench, Lewis Brown makes way for Warriors utility Thomas Leuluai and Greg Eastwood replaces debutant Suaia Matagi.
In other news, Phil Bentham will officiate the New Zealand-England clash and Gerard Sutton the Australia-Samoa match.
