Warriors second rower Ben Matulino will make his test debut off the bench in the Kiwis' second Four Nations rugby league match against France in Toulouse on Sunday morning (AEDT).

With first-choice second rower Bronson Harrison (calf injury) ruled out, Kiwi coach Stephen Kearney Friday named St Helens-bound Sydney Roosters utility Iosia Soliola as a starting back rower and brought Matulino in to take Soliola's bench spot.

The run-on combination is otherwise unchanged from the one that drew 20-20 with Australia last weekend.

Also on the bench with Matulino is returning utility forward Greg Eastwood who was ruled out last week with a hamstring injury.

He comes in for front rower Jeff Lima, also sidelined with a calf injury picked up against Australia last week.

Matulino's selection means he becomes the first locally-produced player out of the National Rugby League's two-year-old youth competition to graduate to the international stage.

Manly's Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 20, became the first NYC player to make his test debut when he played against Tonga in Rotorua two weeks ago but he switched to rugby league only recently after a background in rugby union.

Matulino, 20, educated at St Bernard's College, started playing the game for the Te Aroha Eels in Wellington before joining Kiwi coach Stephen Kearney's old club, Randwick.

He was signed by the Warriors, starting last season as a key player for the Junior Warriors in the inaugural NYC before earning promotion to the club's NRL side.

He went to make 15 first-grade appearances and was named the Warriors' 2008 NRL young player of the year.

"It's terrific to see Ben having his opportunity to play test football so early in his career. He has worked really hard ever since we've been in camp and deserves his chance," Kearney said.

"He made an immediate impression when he broke into first-grade last year and now he goes up to another level again."

While pleased with Matulino's promotion, Kearney said he was also thrilled Soliola would now have a starting role after his form as a bench player against Tonga and Australia.

"While it's disappointing for Bronson and for us that he won't be able to play this week, Sia has done a fantastic job off the bench in the last two weeks. That made it easy for us," he said.

"We're also without Jeff (Lima) but, again, we're able bring Greg (Eastwood) back to cover that position."

He said Harrison and Lima were both recovering well from their injuries.

In confirming the Kiwis' line-up Friday, Kearney named Jason Nightingale as 18th man and Kieran Foran as 19th man.

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