POCKLINGTON star Albert Onelei has received a late call-up to the Samoa squad who will take on a star-studded Barbarians this weekend, writes Phil Gilbank.
Onelei has been a regular for Pocklington this season and a whirlwind 72 hours has seen him projected onto the international stage ahead of Saturday's friendly (2.30pm).
The 23-year-old helped Pocklington to a 31-21 victory at Ilkley in the North One East at the weekend.
The following Monday evening, while at the gym, Onelei got the call-up from Samoa head coach Seilala Mapusua, telling him to get himself to London as soon as possible.
The back-rower admitted that he was initially stunned by the news.
Shaking his head, Onelei said: "I wasn't expecting this, I can't believe it."
After a quick phone call to his parents, Onelei grabbed his kit and headed on a train down to London before arriving at the team hotel in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Onelei, who has previously represented Samoa under-20s, before arriving in Pocklington via the club's high profile coaching duo, Tony Penn and Mike Umaga, who were capped as players by New Zealand and Samoa respectively.
He has been playing mainly in the back row for Pocklington, but is in the Samoa squad as his usual position of hooker.
Samoa face a Barbarian side packed with top internationals from around the globe.
The game is being televised live on BBC One, with coverage starting at 2.00pm.
Pocklington meanwhile this weekend host Cleckheaton in the North One East.
Cleckheaton sit fifth in the division after recording six wins from their first 10 matches, eight points and five places above Pocklington.
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