PIRATES rookie Todd Kurtz insists he will be going full throttle to seize his chance in the big time.

The Australian teenager is set to make his Poole Coastal Aluminium debut in tonight’s Elite Shield first leg clash at Wolverhampton (7.30pm).

Kurtz has been signed by Pirates on a short-term basis and will begin the season on a three-point average.

Wimborne Road chief Matt Ford last week confirmed that Pirates were hoping to introduce Mateusz Szczepaniak to the club’s one-to-seven as they are likely to have more team-building points to play with when Sam Masters qualifies for a new average.

Kurtz has initially been named at reserve but is the most likely candidate to make way for Szczepaniak in any potential reshuffle.

But the 19-year-old says he is determined to grasp his opportunity to impress in the skull and crossbones.

Asked whether he felt his short-term deal was a chance to stake a claim for a more regular place, Kurtz told the Daily Echo: “Yes, definitely, that is what it is all about.

“Nobody’s place is permanent and you have got to ride to earn it.

“As long as I can do well and if Matt (Ford) is happy, then I will be happy.

“I am thankful to Matt for giving me the chance. I am going to grab it with both hands and give it 100 per cent. Hopefully, it will all work out.”

Kurtz added: “If I can come out of it with some good scores, then I will be quite happy with that.

“I realise that it is really tough and if I could score my average or above, then I would be happy.”

Pirates travel to Monmore Green bidding to claim the one domestic trophy that slipped through their grasp during last season’s treble-winning campaign.

Team manager Neil Middleditch says it is an ideal opportunity for his men to prepare for the Dorset club’s upcoming Elite League title defence.

He added: “I am more than happy with the side that I have got to work with this year.

“Matt Ford has yet again delivered on that score and now it is all about knitting together as a team.”

Wolves: Freddie Lindgren, Pontus Aspgren, Nicolai Klindt, Tai Woffinden, Lukasz Sowka, Ricky Wells.

Pirates: Chris Holder, Sam Masters, Darcy Ward, Dennis Andersson, Adrian Miedzinski, Ricky Kling, Todd Kurtz.