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The Kiwis will look to build on the success of their Four Nations campaign and do what they have done only once before – win the mid-year Anzac Test.
Last year they were forced to select a young inexperienced team but for 60 minutes they looked better than the Aussies, proving that the gap between themselves and Australia is finally closing. I think that this year offers a genuine chance to get another win over their trans-tasman rivals. Here’s the team that I believe can do that.
1.Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Sydney Roosters)
The Warriors-bound fullback has been outstanding this year. He currently leads the NRL in run metres, he has made an extra 250 metres than his closest rival, and averages over five tackle busts per game. I think he will be the future benchmark for fullbacks in rugby league and is an obvious choice to wear the number one jersey here.
2.Jason Nightingale (St George-Illawarra Dragons)
The fact that, as a winger, Nightingale was running out as captain of the Dragons at the start of this year speaks volumes for the calibre of player he is and the respect his peers have for him.
Has some good competition for his spot with the likes of Sam Perrett, Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak but Nightingale is still a fair way in front of them in the pecking order. Although he is currently under a bit of an injury cloud, he is close to an automatic selection if healthy. Should he not recover in time I would be tempted to keep the Penrith duo together and give his spot to DWZ.
3.Dean Whare (Penrith Panthers)
Arguably is one of, if not the best centre in the NRL at the moment. Hes good defensively, knows how to find the tryline and has great footwork which he constantly uses to set up his winger. He was a big part of the Kiwis’ successful Four Nations campaign last year.
4.Peta Hiku (Manly Sea Eagles)
Everyone thought Kearney had lost it when he selected Hiku to play fullback in last year’s Test after playing just eight first grade games, but the kid was outstanding. He continued to grow throughout 2014 and has developed into a very good player. Hiku is good defensively and is currently averaging four tackle busts per game. With coach Stephen Kearney having one eye on the future and building towards the next World Cup, I think Hiku gets the nod.
5.Manu Vatuvei (New Zealand Warriors)
The Beast has had a very good start to 2015. Hes already scored six tries in seven games this season while running for an average of 130 metres per game. Hes one of the most popular figures in our sport and, like his wing counterpart, is practically an automatic selection.
6.Kieran Foran (Manly Sea Eagles)
The Manly Sea Eagles’ five-eighth is as tough as they come. An outstanding defender who also shows class and composure on attack. His partnership with Shaun Johnson continues to get better with every game they have together. Foran is another under a bit of an injury cloud but when fit he is one of the Kiwis best and gets the nod over the in-form Benji Marshall.
7.Shaun Johnson (New Zealand Warriors)
Last year’s recipient of the Golden Boot which is awarded to the planet’s best player. He was absolutely outstanding during the end of season Four Nations tournament and at just 24 years of age it is scary to think how good he may one day be. We are yet to see that same form in 2015 but we have seen glimpses of it. Johnson is absolutely pivotal to the success of the New Zealand team and will continue to be for many years to come.
8.Jesse Bromwich (Melbourne Storm)
Jesse has developed his game to the extent that he is now considered to be on the same level as Matthew Scott and James Graham as one of the best props in rugby league. He has exceptional footwork for a big man and is an integral part of Craig Bellamy’s line-up at the Melbourne Storm. In 2014 he won his club’s player of the year award and in 2015 he currently leads the Dally M standings.
9.Issac Luke (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
The Kiwis finally have a young, world class spine that they can build their team around and Luke is the heart and soul of it. A tough and talented rake who is one of the best in the business at exploiting lazy markers. He’s also a gritty defender who has developed into a genuine 80-minute hooker.
10.Ben Matulino (New Zealand Warriors)
The Warriors 2012 player of the year has continued to grow and at just 26 years of age I believe that we’re only just beginning to see the best of Matulino. Best known for his solid defence and outstanding offloading ability, he is also an aggresive runner. He currently sits just below Bromwich on the NRL’s list of total metres gained at sixth, averaging over 150 metres per game.
11.Kevin Proctor (Melbourne Storm)
Last year Proctor played every match for his club side. What makes that so impressive is the consistently high level at which he played each week. He is extremely damaging in attack but also equally effective on defence. He has been impressive during the start of 2015 in a Storm side that is sitting on top of the NRL ladder.
12.Simon Mannering (New Zealand Warriors/captain)
An inspirational leader of both his club and country, Mannering is the definition of a workhorse. At the moment he sits at the top of the NRLs tackles made list, hes making 50 tackles a game with a tackle success rate of 98 per cent but has done this while averaging 100 metres per game on attack.
13.Jason Taumololo (North Queensland Cowboys)
The Cowboys enforcer is awesome to watch with ball in hand. He is extremely difficult to tackle and at 6’3″, 111kgs he is often avoided by opposition attackers. The scariest part about him tho is that at 21 years of age he is only going to get bigger and better. Often talked about as being in the same mould as Sonny Bill Williams and Sam Burgess as a standout freak athlete, in years to come Australia will be worried about his impact.
14.Elijah Taylor (Penrith Panthers)
Should he be fitTay, lor is the perfect man to play that utility role off the bench. An extremely intelligent and versatile player, ET is more than capable of playing most positions on a footy field. His natural positions are loose forward and second row but also adapts himself quite nicely to play hooker, centre or even stand off at a pinch.
He is a very driven and focused individual who at 25 has the potential to one day captain his country. We have seen him at the top of his game in 2015 and two weeks ago he went close to breaking Nathan Hindmarsh’s NRL record for making 69 tackles in regulation time, Taylor made 67.
15.Adam Blair (Brisbane Broncos)
After struggling for form in 2012 and 2013, the former vice-captain bounced straight back into contention with a stellar 2014. An aggressive but smart defender, Blair is good at creating second phase play with ball in hand. He has continued to look very good with his new club in Brisbane and deserves to keep his Kiwis jersey.
16.Martin Taupau (Wests Tigers)
In 2015 Taupau has been brilliant. Thriving in his new role as enforcer he has stood up and been the leader of a talented pack that contains players like Aaron Woods and Keith Galloway. He is constantly taking some of the game’s most intimidating forward packs head on and often coming out the better. He will bring a lot of impact off the bench when injected into the game.
17.Tohu Harris (Melbourne Storm)
The ever-consistent Harris continues to go from strength to strength, constantly developing new features to his game. Another extremely versatile back rower who would add even more flexibility to coach Kearneys bench. In last year’s Anzac Test he had to play in the number six jersey but did an outstanding job.
18.Benji Marshall (St George-Illawarra Dragons)
In 2015 we have seen the resurgence of Benji Marshall. He’s playing the best he has since winning the Golden Boot in 2010. He is very passionate about his country and the former Kiwis captain would love nothing more than to pull on that black jersey again. I’d name him as 18th man as cover for Foran or Taylor should they not be fit.
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