Riki Flutey will be belting out God Save the Queen at Twickenham on Saturday in a very public confirmation of his conversion from proud New Zealand Maori into genuine England international.

Flutey, born in Wairarapa, has qualified for his new country on residency grounds after being here for three years and pulls on the England No12 jersey for the first time against the Pacific Islanders.

The 28-year-old London Wasps centre is following in the footsteps of Henry Paul, the New Zealand rugby league star, who had fleeting success as an England rugby union player before heading back into league. This latest Kiwi import is a seasoned union player who came through the New Zealand junior ranks before opting to try his luck on the other side of the world.

The decision to make himself available for England, which could see him face the All Blacks later this month, only came after he returned to New Zealand in February.

Flutey said: "I spoke to family members there and they were right behind me. I also had lunch with Norm Hewitt, the All Black hooker, who also gave me his blessing which was very important. He went to the same college as me and is someone I really look up to because he's a Maori All Black and top leader, and his words made me want to grab this opportunity.

"Not making the All Blacks is not something I think about because I didn't get that chance and there may be guys in New Zealand who would have a problem facing the Haka, but it's not something I worry about.

"I will sing the National Anthem alongside my mates on Saturday and I am really looking forward to doing it at Twickenham. I have the chance to play for England and I am very proud of that fact.

"I was born and raised in New Zealand and a part of my heart will always be there, but I have been living here for more than three years and my family is really enjoying it.

Flutey's partnership with fly-half Danny Cipriani, his Wasps team-mate, will be key to England's success on Saturday and for the three other autumn Tests against Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

"Danny is very talented and has all the skills of guys like Dan Carter and Carlos Spencer and he's only just turned 21," said Flutey. "I am looking forward to seeing his game develop from where it is now.

"Danny is a dedicated professional who came back early from his injury to prove just how hard he works. I am excited about playing with him on the international stage."

Having joined London Irish in 2005 before moving to London Wasps last year, his elevation to the England team is designed to solve a problem created by the retirement of Will Greenwood, the 2003 World Cup-winning centre.

Greenwood was a vital play-maker and organiser during his England career and now new team manager Martin Johnson has given Flutey the job of becoming just as important in a radically redesigned back division. He is working closely again with Brian Smith, England's new attack coach, who was his director of rugby at Irish.

"Brian Smith has been fantastic as have all my coaches who have played big parts in my career," said Flutey, the 2008 Professional Rugby Players' Association Player of the Year."

"They have given me the chance to play week in, week out in England and it's helped me get here. It has enabled me to nail down one position instead of being a utility back.

"I have played outside-half most of my career and understand the pressure the decision makers at No10 and No9 are under and I want to help."