After an unsuccessful Four Nations campaign in 2016, David Kidwell faces a tough task to turn around New Zealand’s fortunes ahead of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
There are a number of changes which need to be made to his team if the Kiwis are to be in with a shot at knocking off the Kangaroos in the upcoming Anzac Test.
Kieran Foran is fit, healthy and thriving at the Warriors and with Thomas Leuluai unavailable, Foran will slot straight back into the side at five-eighth, partnering in the halves with teammate Shaun Johnson.
It will be a huge boost for Kidwell’s side who will also be buoyed by the return of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck at fullback. The Warriors star will be one of the first names on the team sheet, with Kidwell also spoilt for choice following the resurgence of Dean Whare.
Whare is set to pull on the black and white for the first time since 2015 however, it will come at the expense of a number of incumbents. Gerard Beale and Shaun Kenny-Dowall failed to perform for New Zealand at the Four Nations, making their returns unlikely. It leaves six incumbents in a battle for three spots in the New Zealand backline.
Jordan Rapana and David Fusitu’a proved themselves as try-scoring wizards and game-breaking outside backs for New Zealand and their form should warrant selection. Jordan Kahu and Jason Nightingale will be in contention with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Solomone Kata, all four showing strong patches of form in 2017 and proving strong for the Kiwis at Test level.
Simon Mannering will be ready for a return after sitting out of the Four Nations, prompting a big overhaul in the forward pack. Jesse Bromwich, Adam Blair, Manu Ma’u and Jason Taumalolo are expected to remain in the side alongside Martin Taupau.
Kidwell has a chance to refresh the Kiwis’ pack with incumbent back rowers Tohu Harris and Kevin Proctor down on form in 2017 while Lewis Brown, Joseph Tapine and Greg Eastwood have all also failed to play good footy.
Meanwhile, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves once again struggled for New Zealand at the Four Nations conceding too many penalties and making far too many errors while struggling to move forward.
James Fisher-Harris faces a fight to stay in the side with Russell Packer and Suaia Matagi hoping to return to the Kiwis fold in 2017 off the back of some strong form in the NRL.
They will also be in contention with Herman Ese’ese for a spot in the side, the Broncos prop taking his game to another level under Wayne Bennett in 2017 prompting talk of him making a potential debut in the Anzac Test.
New Zealand’s best 17
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (New Zealand Warriors, 11 caps)
2. Jordan Rapana (Canberra Raiders, 4 caps)
3. Dean Whare (Penrith Panthers, 15 caps)
4. Jordan Kahu (Brisbane Broncos, 8 caps)
5. David Fusitu’a (New Zealand Warriors, 2 caps)
6. Kieran Foran (New Zealand Warriors, 20 caps)
7. Shaun Johnson (New Zealand Warriors, 20 caps)
8. Jesse Bromwich (Captain; Melbourne Storm, 23 caps)
9. Issac Luke (New Zealand Warriors, 41 caps)
10. Adam Blair (Brisbane Broncos, 39 caps)
11. Simon Mannering (New Zealand Warriors, 41 caps)
12. Manu Ma’u (Parramatta Eels, 6 caps)
13. Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland Cowboys, 9 caps)
Interchange
14. Suaia Matagi (Parramatta Eels, 1 cap)
15. Russell Packer (St George Illawarra Dragons, 2 caps)
16. Martin Taupau (Manly Sea Eagles, 15 caps)
17. Herman Ese’ese (Brisbane Broncos, yet to debut)
Sylvester
Guest
Kodi Nikorima should get one of the bench spots. Kiwis need to pick big bodies in the forwards and take a punt on pace in the outside backs.
Stu
Guest
Matulino even though just returning is better than Packer. Don't know if Matagi is in the top 12 kiwi props. Id have Asofa Solomona, Taupau, Matulino and Tapine on bench.
Jeffrey
Guest
Exactly. No team coached by Kidwell has a hope in hell.
Britexit
Guest
Aussies picked Ferguson on the wing who is injured and about to be let go by Roosters. Bizarre but they have a history of picking a dud winger for a test to make it even only for that player to miss SOO completely or retire that year. Paul Conlon (1985?) and El Masri are but 2 examples...
thomas c
Guest
Kahu's a solid player, but i think NZ would prefer greater punch out of a centre. He's not as evasive as some and cedes something in power and size.
Albo
Guest
The Kiwis have an embarrassment of riches this year ! Just so many good players to choose from. If their selectors pick the right combination it should be a great Test match ! Due to recent injuries and time out, I would be ruling out Tohu Harris, Proctor & Fisher -Harris for this year's Test. Lewis Brown is getting little game time at Manly so he shouldn't be considered. But they have a strong squad available for selection.
E-Meter
Guest
They need a new coach
Ron Swanson
Roar Guru
Riley Tohu Harris has been injured before a ball was kicked, not down on form at all. I had the same back line and will be like Mt Vesuvius if he goes for any of Kata, in horrible form since Round 1, SKD or Beale. They are all bang average at club level, let alone international level. I'd have JWH in for Blair. I'd also leave Blair out as he is 32 and time to have one eye on the end of year WC. Bench would be Hiku or Glenn (need some utility other than Lew Brown), Marty T, Joseph Tapine and the big unit from the Storm Nelson Asofa-Solomona. 18th man Kev Proctor who has had an injury disrupted campaign, Luke can't play the full 80 and until his fitness improves or he get's over his niggles, they can't go into a clash minus a utility.
Jarrod
Guest
Ese'ese, Matagi ?? Tohu's been injured all season, how then can he be down on form. If your going to go with relative newcomers why not more talented players like Asofa Solomona and Joe Tapine. The fact is this is the Kangaroos we're playing and a one off test isn't the time to be experimenting, you need your experienced players so despite form Proctor should be in there so to JWH.
AA
Guest
Matagi out, JWH in. The rest looks strong.
Damian
Guest
It's a bit unfair to say Tohu Harris is down on form he's been out all year injured. He'd be one of the first picked if he was fit and healthy
Cedric
Guest
Kata could not contain leilua 2 weeks ago, so he's gone, Hargreaves has never fired for the kiwis'. I would think Packer as No.10 and Blair off the bench, as Kiwis need some go forward. I haven't watched much of Proctor this year and would be surprised if he missed the bench. It is too early for the big Melbourne unit Solomona, but if keeps putting in like he did against the Warriors, he will be in the squad for the World Cup! The Kiwis now have some talent with the likes of Scheck, Rapana, Whare, Foran, Johnson, Taumalolo, Mannering, Bromich, Blair and Luke and the rest aren't too shabby. Could make for a great game!