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The New Zealand Kiwis – who happen to be the number one ranked team in the world in rugby league – will do battle with Australia in their annual Anzac Test match.
They will be looking to make amends for their 2-1 series loss to England last year. This is the team Stephen Kearney should select at the upcoming Test.
1. Roger Tuivasa-Scheck
2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3. Shaun Kenny-Dowall
4. Peta Hiku
5. Manu Vatuvai
6. Kieran Foran
7. Shaun Johnson
8. Ben Matulino
9. Issac Luke
10. Jesse Bromwich
11. Kevin Proctor
12. Manu Ma’u
13. Jason Taumalolo
14. Tuimoala Lolohea
15. Adam Blair
16. Martin Tapau
17. Kenny Edwards
The team is a very strong side, the spine picks itself, although besides Foran they are not in the best of form. However they are proven on Test level and lack of alternatives cement their spots.
Kenny-Dowall and Hiku really had good starts to the season and should be the centres. The back-row is a very powerful and skilled unit which will cause many problems for Australia.
The debutants include Watene-Zelezniak, who finally gets his chance after injury. Edwards and Ma’u have been brilliant for Parramatta this year and deserve their spots in the side.
The x-factor for me is Lolohea coming off the bench. He will no doubt be a spark with reduced interchanges and he offers great utility role as well.
Simon Mannering, Sam Kasiano, Frank Paul Nu’uausala and Dean Whare could all make this team but there simply no spots left.
A team like this will need the very best of Australia to beat them.
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What do you think, Roarers? Is this the best Kiwi team? And do they have a shot against Australia?
