Kiwis prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves says young hooker Danny Levi will bring impressive raw energy to the Kiwis for Saturday's Rugby League World Cup quarter-final clash against Fiji in Wellington.
Levi has looked solid in the Cup so far, playing all three Tests from the bench since his debut at the pool stage against Samoa.
The Newcastle hooker has earned a promotion in place of Thomas Leuluai, dropped after New Zealand's 28-22 loss to Tonga in Hamilton last week.
Kodi Nikorima is the other casualty, replaced in the halves by Cowboys young gun Te Maire Martin and named on the bench.
Sydney Roosters veteran Waerea-Hargreaves says Levi's selection adds extra zip to the Kiwis' side in their must-win match.
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"He brings a bit of youth - we've had koro there, Tommy starting up with all that experience, but I think Danny, he brings that energy," Waerea-Hargreaves said.
"I've heard him talking about (ex-Kiwi) Issac Luke - he modelled his game around him, and I see his game as very similar."
Levi himself was quick to pay tribute to the hard-working Kiwis forwards, who have set up a solid platform for him in pool play wins over Samoa and Scotland.
"I've been behind a quality forward pack, and they've definitely got a good roll on with good quick plays of the ball, so I'm just taking the opportunities off the back of them," the 21-year-old Wellingtonian said.
It'll take a slight change in mind set, Levi admits, running out against a fresh Fijian pack, who are well-matched by the flair and pace of a back five which has run in tries at will during pool play.
The Bati have scored 32 tries in three runaway wins over the United States, Wales and Italy, with Melbourne winger Suliasi Vunivalu scoring eight alone.
Vunivalu is currently the tournament's leading try scorer.
"It's going to be a bit of a test - they're a good quality forward pack and they're going to be nice and fresh for me, not tired like when I usually get on," Levi said.
"I just have to be a bit more switched on right from the start."
