Mal Meninga has brought back his big guns for the Kangaroos’s showdown with the Kiwis in Saturday’s Pacific Championships final at Auckland.
Nicho Hynes, Tom Flegler and Jake Trbojevic make way from the team which beat New Zealand in Melbourne last weekend with Payne Haas, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Liam Martin returning to the line-up at Auckland’s Eden Park.
Valentine Holmes has kept his spot on the wing after he was recalled for the game at AAMI Park from a one-game ban for being photographed with a bag of unidentified white powder during end-of-season Cowboys celebrations.
Broncos speedster Selwyn Cobbo remains on the reserves.
Nicho Hynes. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
Reuben Cotter is back on the interchange after starting in the back row with Martin returning to the starting side.
The Kiwis have retained the same 17-man line-up which went down 36-18 to the Kangaroos in Melbourne.
New Zealand coach Michael Maguire has resisted the temptation to switch Joseph Manu from centre to fullback.
Manu has been listed to play centre with Matt Timoko while Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad remains in the custodian position.
The Pacific Bowl final will be played in Port Moresby on Sunday between Fiji and Papua New Guinea.
The Bati will start favourites after demolishing the Kumuls 43-16 last week.
Fiji will only be stronger with Penrith flyer Sunia Turuva returning on the wing after missing one match with a calf injury.
all times AEDT
Kangaroos: 1. James Tedesco 2. Dylan Edwards 3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 4. Kotoni Staggs 5. Val Holmes 6. Cameron Munster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Payne Haas 9. Ben Hunt 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Cameron Murray 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Harry Grant 15. Lindsay Collins 16. Patrick Carrigan 17. Reuben Cotter 18. Nicho Hynes 19. Tom Flegler 20. Selwyn Cobbo 21. Jake Trbojevic
Kiwis: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Ronaldo Mulitalo 3. Matt Timoko 4. Joey Manu 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Dylan Brown 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Kieran Foran 10. Moses Leota 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Briton Nikora 13. Joe Tapine 14. Fa’amanu Brown 15. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 16. Griffin Neame 17. Leo Thompson 18. Naufahu Whyte 19. . Wiremu Greig 20. Keano Kini
PNG team: 1. Alex Johnston 2. Robert Derby 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Rodrick Tai 5. Nene Macdonald 6. Kyle Laybutt 7. Lachlan Lam 8. Epel Kapinias 9. Edwin Ipape 10. Valentine Richard 11. Rhyse Martin 12. Dan Russell 13. Jack de Belin 14. Judah Rimbu 15. Liam Horne 16. Junior Rop 17. Nixon Putt 18. Jacob Alick 19. Wellington Albert 20. Keven Appo 21. Benji Kot
Fiji team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Maika Sivo 3. Sunia Turuva 4. Waqa Blake 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kurt Donoghoe 7. Brandon Wakeham 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Penioni Tagituimua 10. King Vuniyayawa 12. Apisalome Saukuru 13. Taane Milne 15. Caleb Navale 11. Kitione Kautoga 16. Gordon Whippy 17. Watisoni Waqanisaravi 21. Pio Seci 18. Jason Qareqare 14. Noah Nailagoliva 20. Sirilo Lovokuro
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Australians are among the sportiest people on Earth. Much as we like to play code wars with each other, the fact that we can…
Over the years 47 players have represented Australia in rugby league and union - so who is the best of the dual code internationals?
Proposed rule changes to Origin eligibility might be that rarest of things: a solution that works for everyone.
The shortlist for the International Rugby League (IRL) Golden Boot Award has been announced, with a host of hard-runners listed for the top prizes.…
After Australia's 30-nil thumping in the Pacific Championship final, there could be a vastly different Kangaroos team in the next international competition.
A famous day for New Zealand as the Kiwis thrash Australia to take the Pacific Championships title.
