Born-again prop Russell Packer has bolted into the Kiwis starting line-up to face Australia in the Anzac Test in Canberra.
A surprise inclusion in the squad ahead of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Packer has beaten out experienced Kiwis hardmen Adam Blair and Martin Taupau for a starting berth.
The latter pair are both on the interchange bench.
It is another major achievement for Packer, 27, who had wondered if his career was over after spending a year behind bars for assault in 2014.
The St George Illawarra front-rower spoke this week of his desire to repay the faith shown by David Kidwell, having been recalled for his third Test and first since 2011.
Packer admitted to being first shocked, and then emotional, when he received the call last week from Kidwell to inform him of his selection.
He labelled his selection as a reward for the family and friends that have stuck by him.
An otherwise predictable team features the all-Warriors spine of Issac Luke, Shaun Johnson, Kieran Foran and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
Foran makes his long-awaited return to the Test stage following two years besieged by much-publicised off-field problems.
Influential fullback Tuivasa-Sheck, like veteran Kiwis second rower Simon Mannering, plays his first Test in more than a year.
Both missed the entire 2016 international season due to injury.
Elijah Taylor has been named 18th man.
NEW ZEALAND: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Jordan Kahu, Dean Whare, Jordan Rapana, Kieran Foran, Shaun Johnson, Jesse Bromwich (capt), Issac Luke, Russell Packer, Kevin Proctor, Simon Mannering, Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: Adam Blair, Martin Taupau, Kenny Bromwich, Kodi Nikorima.
TC123
Guest
You think he will struggle? He already has proven he's not up to it hasn't he? Who was the genius who decided David Kidwell is a decent coach
Gazzatron
Guest
Do you even watch the Warriors mate? Fusitua is one of the first picked every week and is one of the best under the high ball. He bends the line with every run out of trouble and his defence has improved greatly this year. Hes far better than stodgy slow Kahu and DWZ who hasnt played a good game for 12 months.
Cedric
Guest
yes and the media have forgotten that is wasn't just Foran who made the difference it was also Mr Gavet! As far as Kenny Bromich goes, I was also a bit surprised. I know Ma'u and Harris are injured but what about Glenn and Glenn can switch to the centres, is he injured too? Eastwood, Tapine.......?
Oingo Boingo
Guest
He's been pretty average for the chooks this year , seems to surrender in tackles more often than not .
Kaizer
Roar Rookie
Fusitua is not as good ad Kahu. Kahu is a better defender. Fusitua is not better than DWZ. Fusitua struggles to hold a starting spot at the warriors. He's hot and cold at best and against the best that Australia has to offer, the boys will sort him out.
Judge Holden
Roar Guru
Gavet has been playing very well and should be in the World Cup squad. He's a real firebrand.
Jeffrey
Guest
Spot on, GD66. Lol, I remember that. It was actually Jason Taumalolo who is arguably the best forward in the game. It's like the All Blacks having Beauden Barret on the bench and Hansen forgetting to bring him on at some stage.
GD66
Guest
Good point Jeffrey, I think he will struggle as a coach, in Perth he had a player (sorry, can't recall who) on the bench until the closing stages of the test because he forgot he was there. Huh ?
Stu
Guest
Nice to see Mal Meninga's article criticising the NZ team for not promoting international league. How many ANZAC tests have New Zealand hosted Mal? 1? Despite all the criticism around City Country at least their players get an extended rest. More than 1/2 of the Kiwis are on a 5 day turnaround. For the pinnacle of league this is piss poor Mal and you can lay the blame at the NRL and the ARLC, the Kiwis have done more than the Kangaroos for the international game with regular tours to the Northen Hemisphere.
Jeffrey
Guest
You never know, Stu. We are talking about Kidwell here.
Stu
Guest
Agree 100%. Surely Kenny wont be there come world cup time. Manu Ma'u, Tohu Harris, Tapine, Glenn are all better options. Even Blair and Matulino as 2nd rowers Are preferable to Kenny.
Ron Swanson
Roar Guru
Kenneath...WTF!!! Dud selection and no Fusitua? DWZ has similar hands to SKD. That pair aside, way better 17 than last years side. Hiku can't make the Panthers starting side and has been injured or suspended on and off. Kahu is class, not sure why everyone doubts him.
Ron Swanson
Roar Guru
Squid he's never played a decent games for the Kiwi's, for like EVER. Maybe he struggles with his roots I'm not sure, but same aggressive mongrel we see for the Chooks has never surfaced in the black and white jersey to be honest. Maybe representing the Wallaby Under 20's has something to do with it, not sure.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Good on Packer for putting his past behind and playing some good footy this year. I credit St Geoge's rise this year with the work that he and Paul Vaughn have put in as starting props which allows the likes of Tariq Sims to have more impact off the game off the bench. Not surprised that Kidwell has picked him as he was a similar hard man type player as Kidwell was. I'm really liking the looks of this kiwis forward pack and spine. The weakness might be in the outside backs. This is as good a chance to beat the Aussies with JT just back from injury and Boyd having his issues too. Also a lot of Aussie players not in good form at the moment, both forwards and backs and I'd include Cronk as well who has been a bit off at club level. I do think that the key for the Aussies this game is Cameron Smith. He has been outstanding this year and if they can limit his influence they will go a long way to winning this game.
Joe
Roar Rookie
As a Storm fan I also have to query K.Bromwich. I'm guessing he is there more for his utility value and whenever he plays for the kiwis he gives his all. He is in good form for the Storm this year but on talent alone probably wouldn't be in the team.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Yep, that is the main reason for JWH's omission starting from when Kearney took over. You just can't give the Aussies any penalties at all and he is a penalty magnet.
Jeffrey
Guest
Kidwell is such a conservative selector and that's not going to beat Australia. Whare and Kahu together doesn't make sense. Fusitua would have been a more dynamic option. Kenny Bromwich on the bench? Really? Someone is taking the piss.
Stu
Guest
Kahu is a solid defender, similar to Whare. I would rather have seen Fusitua in the team instead of DWZ.
Gray
Guest
Packer has been working hard and deserves this, hope he delivers. Going by form James Gavet was a bit unlucky to not even be named in the extended squad.
Cedric
Guest
JWH has never performed in the Kiwis and disappeared in the last world cup. He wasn't to flash last week against the Warriors when it was his time to show his dominance. Taupau is unlucky to be on the bench, but Packer has also been very good this year. Blair is always good in black and white and does alot of covering defence. Not too sure about Kahu ahead of Hiku for a centre spot. I haven't watched much of either this year. Hiku, I would think is the better attacker, while Kahu is very good goal kicker. Whare with Rapana sounds very exciting, hope they get some space!