Kiwis Team Named For Anzac Clash

Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney has named his Kiwis side to take on the Kangaroos in next Friday's Anzac test.

Jesse Bromwich will captain New Zealand for the first time, while only one Warriors player - Shaun Johnson - features in the side.

Bromwich will deputise for regular skipper Simon Mannering, who is unavailable for selection.

"You just need to look at Jesse's performances over the past two years, when he's elevated himself to one of the premier front rowers in our game and at international level," Kearney said.

"But it's more than his performances - it's everything that he brings to the table. He's a wonderful leader in his own right.

"He ticks all the right boxes. We certainly saw that in England, where Adam Blair and Issac Luke were our captains, but Jesse was part of the leadership group and really stepped up to the plate.

"It was just a matter of time that he assumed the role we've given him this week."

Last year's co-captain Issac Luke has been left out of the Kiwis 19-man squad for the match, with Broncos dummy-half Kodi Nikorima expected to play hooker this Friday

Penrith Panthers star Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has been named after previously missing out on opportunities to play for New Zealand due to by injury (2014 Four Nations) and suspension (2015 Anzac Test).

Kearney said Watene-Zelezniak was very excited to get another chance.

"We'll keep him away from the beach. In 2014, we took him down to the beach for a recovery, and he ended up rolling his ankle and breaking a bone in his foot.

"He a kid that's been in our Junior Kiwis programme and I remember watching him score four tries against the Junior Kangaroos a few years ago. He's one of those kids that has always been on the cusp of making it, now he finally gets that opportunity and I'm sure he'll do a wonderful job for us."

North Queensland back-rower Jason Taumalolo is back in the New Zealand squad, after missing the entire 2015 campaign, while Bulldogs lock Greg Eastwood returns, after missing the England series.

The final 17 will be confirmed on Tuesday.