Rugby League: Coach backing co-captains

Coach Stephen Kearney is confident Issac Luke and Adam Blair will flourish in their roles as Kiwis co-captains for the four match tour of England. Photo / John Stone

Coach Stephen Kearney is confident Issac Luke and Adam Blair will flourish in their roles as Kiwis co-captains for the four match tour of England.

With skipper Simon Mannering unavailable while he continues to recover from a gastric illness that has plagued him for much of the season, Kearney has chosen the duo to lead the 23-man squad that includes six rookies - utility backs Jordan Kahu and Tuimoala Lolohea, wing Curtis Rona, hooker/half Kodi Nikorima, and forwards Isaac Liu and Sio Siua Taukeiaho.

Experienced forward Greg Eastwood, a member of the 2008 World Cup, 2010 and 2014 Four Nations, and this year's Anzac test winning side was a notable omission.

While Luke and Blair will shoulder the captaincy duties on and off the field, Kearney expects other senior players will contribute to the team's leadership.

"As far as the co-captains, all I'm wanting to establish there is there's a shared responsibility amongst those two individuals, but amongst the whole group, to get a job done on what's going to be a really challenging tour," said Kearney.

"Both guys have made wonderful contributions to the jumper. The way that Adam's finished this year off, everyone would have seen in his performances, particularly through the finals series, and he's been wonderful for the Broncos all year.

"He's been as a real leader of the Kiwis group and Issac's the same. He's come a long way over the course of his Kiwis career."

Luke's appointment could be the making of the former South Sydney rake, who has long been a leader and key playmaker within the Kiwis, but struggled with a reputation for ill-discipline.

The 28-year-old has been a regular attendee at the NRL judiciary in recent seasons and missed the Rabbitohs' 2014 grand final win through suspension.

He was fortunate to escape a ban for a shoulder charge towards the end of this season, before being ruled out of his last games for the Rabbitohs on a similar charge only a couple of weeks later.

Despite Luke's past problems, Kearney believes the co-captaincy role will bring out the best in the 33 test veteran.

"I bloody hope so," he joked. "I believe it will. He understands there's a real challenge in front of us, and I made him aware of that last night, that his leadership needs to be really spot on.

"I don't see there being a very big issue there. I know informing Issac last night, he was really excited at the opportunity to help lead the side with Adam, so I'm sure he'll be fine."

The influx of new talent excites Kearney, who shrugged off concerns over the fact Lolohea is the only squad member to have played in the halves this season.

"I'm really excited to have the opportunity to work with Tui and Jordan Kahu, Sio Siua, Curtis Rona's another one who's had a wonderful year, so it doesn't bother me at all because I know the energy and the strength of the group will drag those young guys with them."