By Phil Gordos

Wilkin (left) says Fa'asavalu can make a big impact off the bench

Jon Wilkin insists Maurie Fa'asavalu will be a big asset to Great Britain and has defended coach Tony Smith's decision to call up the St Helens prop.

The 27-year-old Fa'asavalu played for Samoa in the 2003 rugby union World Cup but pledged his allegiance to Britain after qualifying through residency.

"Maurie has been awesome all year," Wilkin told BBC Sport. "I think it's the obvious choice he gets picked.

"He is eligible for Great Britain, so there's no problem with it whatsoever."

Fa'asavalu's selection has attracted some controversy given his past loyalties, but Wilkin insists he is delighted to have his club colleague alongside him.

Just being around him in training has lifted the enthusiasm of everybody else Wilkin on Fa'asavalu

"As long as Maurie is happy to play for Great Britain I'm certainly happy to have him in the same squad as me rather than in an opposing squad," said Wilkin.

"It's not an issue at all for me. Maurie has been in this country long enough now that he's got residency and is available.

"If you look at the New Zealand and Australian squads, they are made up of players from the Pacific Islands. Why not exploit that as well?"

Wilkin says Fa'asavalu, who has spent four seasons with Saints, has already had a positive influence on the Lions squad.

"Just being around him in training has lifted the enthusiasm of everybody else," said Wilkin.

"That's what Maurie brings to the squad. He's a likeable character who you would like to have in any team."

606: DEBATE It would be a bit weird having a Samoan playing for Great Britain, but there's no doubting how good a player he is WA

Wilkin has also rejected the suggestion that Fa'asavalu's call-up reflects badly on the state of the British game.

The 23-year-old back-row forward insists there is plenty of young talent coming through.

"There is a shift in British rugby league towards young British players and I think there are a lot more clubs producing more young British players," he said.

"I think Tony Smith has acknowledged that fact in his squad by selecting a combination of youth and experience.

"The exciting thing for Tony is the amount of good young players coming into Super League that are British-based.

"That's where the future of British rugby league lies. I am sure that's something he'll look to exploit in his time in the job."

He's brought so much explosive power off the bench for Saints this year Wilkin on Fa'asavalu

As for Fa'asavalu, who was chosen ahead of Andy Coley, Nick Fozzard and Andy Lynch, he could make his GB debut in the first of three Tests against New Zealand at Huddersfield's Galpharm Stadium on Saturday (1815 BST).

Wilkin thinks he will make a big impression if selected.

"Maurie's strengths are pretty obvious. He comes with size, but with that size you've got speed and power," said Wilkin.

"He's brought so much explosive power off the bench for Saints this year and his ability to break tackles and also make big tackles has been vital for us.

"We should see more of the same in a Great Britain jersey and hopefully he can have the same sort of dynamism coming off the bench and really prove he is worthy of a place.

"I know that he is certainly worthy of his selection."

GB skipper Jamie Peacock has also given his wholehearted support to Fa'asavalu.

Instead of handing me off in the face and sitting me on my backside all the time, I'm waiting to see him do it to somebody else so that I can cheer him on Peacock on Fa'asavalu

"We've got some great traditions in this country but sometimes we fail to move on," said the Leeds forward.

"The rest of the world moves on but we don't. The fact is sport has changed and you don't always have to be born in the country you want to represent.

"That's just the way of life nowadays and it's about time we took advantage of it.

"I can't wait to play with him. Instead of handing me off in the face and sitting me on my backside all the time, I'm waiting to see him do it to somebody else so that I can cheer him on."

Smith admitted he agonised over the selection of Fa'asavalu but insisted it was the right decision.

"It was a big call and something I've thought long and hard about," he said.

"He is a bit of a special case. For him only ever having played his rugby league in this country is quite a unique situation.

"But I thought the pros outweighed the cons, so I've gone with Maurie and he's delighted."