WELLINGTON: New Zealand teen sensation Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will miss this week's Test against Australia after receiving a one-week suspension for a dangerous throw in the National Rugby League (NRL), team management said Tuesday.
Watene-Zelezniak missed New Zealand's Four Nations triumph last year with a broken foot and Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney said the 19 year-old was frustrated at the delay to his Test debut again.
The winger was charged after his Penrith Panthers defeated the Cronulla Sharks on Sunday, with Kearney saying he elected to plead guilty and accept a one-week suspension.
"We're all gutted for Dallin and I know he's very disappointed too," he said. "He's a wonderful kid, who was excited to be back in camp and champing at the bit to finally play for his country.
"But we took a look at the incident on video and there was little likelihood that we could get it scaled down if we'd fought it. Under the circumstances, we were better off taking it on the chin."
Veteran winger Jason Nightingale has been called up to replace Watene-Zelezniak.
New Zealand take on Australia in Brisbane on Friday.
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