New caps for New Zealand
New Zealand have included two British-based Kiwis and three uncapped players in their 19-man squad for Friday’s Test against Australia in Brisbane.
Coach Brian McClennan has recalled prop Jason Cayless, now with St Helens, and Harlequins scrum-half Thomas Leuluai, who both missed last year’s Tri-Nations Series through injury.
The squad includes 10 players from the Kiwis’ victorious Tri-Nations winning team and it would have been more but for personal circumstances.
Wakefield second-rower David Solomona was forced to withdraw from the squad after he was unable to get his passport back in time and Bradford centre Shontayne Hape asked to spend time with his wife, who recently arrived in England from Auckland.
The newcomers are threequarters Steve Matai (Manly) and Tame Tupou (Brisbane) and South Sydney forward David Fa’alogo, while half-back Benji Marshall is included despite dislocating a shoulder earlier this month.
Team: B Webb, C Toopi (both NZ Warriors), S Matai (Manly), T Tupou (Brisbane), N Vagana (Cronulla), J Webster (Melbourne), P Whatuira (Wests Tigers), T Leuluai (Harlequins), B Marshall (Wests Tigers), L Anderson (NZ Warriors), R Asotasi (Canterbury), J Cayless (St Helens), N Cayless (Parramatta), D Fa’alogo (South Sydney), D Faiumu (North Queensland), D Kidwell (Melbourne), F Pritchard (Penrith), R Wiki (NZ Warriors, capt), S B Williams (Canterbury).
