New Zealand have named 5 debutants within the workforce to tackle the Kangaroos of their first match of the Pacific Championships.
It is going to be a new-look halves, as Shaun Johnson comes out of retirement to play halfback with Jahrome Hughes injured, alongside Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who shifts to No.6 within the absence of Dylan Brown (knee).
Whereas fullback Keano Kini, winger Will Warbrick, hooker Phoenix Crossland and bench gamers Naufahu Whyte and Jordan Riki will all have their first nationwide cap, whereas James Fisher-Harris captains the facet.
Centre Peta Hiku performs his first Take a look at since 2022 and Kodi Nikorima comes onto the bench for his first nationwide sport since 2019 and Erin Clark is the 18th man.
Knights prop Leo Thompson is serving a one-match ban for a Careless Excessive Deal with through the NRL finals however will probably be obtainable for choice towards Tonga.
Mal Meninga has named an unchanged 17-man facet from the 18-0 win over Tonga final weekend and Ben Hunt is once more the 18th man.
Kiwis v Kangaroos at Apollo Initiatives Stadium, Christchurch, Sunday 4.05pm (AEDT)
New Zealand: 1. Keano Kini 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Matt Timoko 4. Peta Hiku 5. Will Warbrick 6. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 7. Shaun Johnson 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Griffin Neame 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Scott Sorensen 13. Joseph Tapine 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Marata Niukore 17. Jordan Riki 18. Erin Clark 19. Trent Toelau 20. Casey McLean
Kangaroos: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Xavier Coates 3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 4. Tom Trbojevic 5. Zac Lomax 6. Tom Dearden 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Harry Grant 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Cameron Murray 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Matt Burton 15. Mitch Barnett 16. Reuben Cotter 17. Hudson Younger 18. Ben Hunt 19. Lindsay Smith 20. Bradman Finest 21. Reece Robson
The Kangaroos had been humiliated by the Kiwis the final time they met, however Harry Grant stated dwelling on the previous was counter-productive. Their defensive resolve was missing in 2023, however it’s an space a new-look outfit has addressed.
“It was clearly disappointing (what occurred) final 12 months, however we will’t change that. We are able to’t dwell on that. It’s a new workforce and we will simply be taught from it,” Grant stated.
“I believe we’re placing issues in place to be taught from that and go once more this week. Defence is a large one. You win video games on defence.
“A whole lot of guys are contemporary to the workforce and to the Take a look at match enviornment and they’re bringing their strengths and thriving in camp.
Lindsay Collins. (Picture by Daniel Pockett/Getty Pictures)
“Now we have addressed final 12 months, however I don’t suppose this sequence needs to be based mostly on final 12 months, or that we needs to be specializing in that an excessive amount of.”
Whereas the Melbourne skipper is about to be beginning hooker for Australia for years to come back, it’s a prospect he refuses to entertain forward of the blockbuster Pacific Cup showdown with New Zealand.
The Kangaroos vice-captain began for the primary time for Australia within the 18-0 win over Tonga in Brisbane on Friday evening, and the 26-year-old Queensland star is coming into the prime of his profession.
Grant has NSW hooker Reece Robson snapping at his heels, however with utility Ben Hunt nearing the top of his profession there’s scope to cement himself long-term as Kangaroos’ No.9 if he might be a part of a successful facet.
It isn’t on the Melbourne captain’s thoughts proper now, nonetheless, significantly because the Kangaroos misplaced 30-0 within the Pacific Cup closing the final time the 2 sides met.
Grant got here off the bench in that match however bristled at recommendations he was on the cusp of an extended stint as a starter after one excellent show.
“I can’t actually look too far forward,” Grant stated forward of Sunday’s conflict in Christchurch.
“I believe I’ve bought to construct on final week’s sport and carry out this week.
“I simply suppose in the event you begin trying too far forward, that’s when the complacency is available in.
“You wish to make your teammates and training workers proud, and also you don’t do this trying too far forward, you do this by taking a look at what’s in entrance of you and what you possibly can management this week.”
(Picture by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Pictures)
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga stated after the win over Tonga that he wouldn’t make adjustments to a successful facet, so Grant, who performed 74 minutes at Suncorp Stadium, will play massive minutes once more towards the Kiwis.
“I believe most likely 80 minutes is what I’ve been used to this 12 months at membership land … however in rep footy, up to now, I’ve performed off the bench and performed a little bit of that tandem function with Dozer (Hunt),” he stated.
“We’ll simply see how issues go over the following couple of weeks.”
The Kangaroos educated at Ballymore in Brisbane on Tuesday and will probably be based mostly in Christchurch from Wednesday.
– with AAP