His teammates call him 'Little Dell', but St George Illawarra winger Ratu Peni Tagive claims there are a few differences between him and dual international Wendell Sailor.

"I don't think I can replace his personality," Tagive said.

"He's a good bloke, I sort of look like him. I get called Little Dell - I'm sweet with that.

"I play a little bit like him, I'm not as strong as him but probably a bit quicker."

Tagive was labelled a cross between Sailor and fellow dual international Lote Tuqiri when he burst onto the scene with Wests Tigers back in 2008.

Injuries limited him to just eight games for the club, his last appearance in round 12, 2009 before he joined the Dragons late in the year to complete rehabilitation on an injured ankle.

It was all systems go only for him to snap his anterior cruciate ligament in his first trial game with the Dragons in 2010, meaning another season on the sidelines.

He returned to full fitness for 2011, but trying to crack it for a start in the Dragons' premiership-winning side is perhaps the toughest assignment in the NRL, with five-eighth Jamie Soward the only non-Test player in the backline.

But a hamstring injury to fullback Darius Boyd in Monday's Anzac Day clash has finally provided on opening, the 22-year-old named on the wing for Sunday's WIN Jubilee Oval match against Parramatta, with Jason Nightingale shifting to fullback.

"It's a bit unfortunate Darbs has done his hammy, still not too sure how long he'll be out, but if I get to play hopefully I can do the job and fill the role there for the boys," Tagive said.

"It's been pretty hard at times, especially at the beginning (with last year's) injury.

"The club, the physios and the coaching staff have been pretty good to me, trying to get me back on track.

"This year I've just been trying to take it easy and get back into playing again.

"It's been a couple of years (since I played in the NRL) now, I'm just happy to try and get a run again and get back into playing good footy again."

Tagive beat out Bronx Goodwin for the call-up thanks to some strong performances for Berkeley in the local Illawarra competition.

Despite being named to play against the Eels, there is still a chance Tagive could be back at Berkeley or moved to the bench, with speculation Kyle Stanley could start at fullback on Sunday.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP