Northland pair met in Kiwis

Having several top props to choose from for tomorrow's clash against Australia is rare for Kiwi's coach Steve Kearney, but even more extraordinary is that two of those forwards are Northland born and bred.
The Far North's Adam Blair played the opening Four Nations match against England but was rested for the Kiwi's 74-12 romp over Papua New Guinea last weekend, giving Dargaville's Sam McKendry the opportunity to make his debut appearance for his homeland.
Although he did not want to be rested, Blair was happy to see McKendry get a run last week and firm up his position in the Kiwis squad.
"Sam played an outstanding game last week, it's a shame he missed out this week. We are competing for the same spot which is the nature of the game - but it would be the first time New Zealand Rugby League have been put in that position," the 24-year-old Melbourne Storm player said.
Despite playing against McKendry during the NRL season this year, Blair had no idea the Penrith Panthers' forward also came from Northland until the pair met in camp before the Four Nations kicked off.
"I didn't know Sam was from up North until he said so in camp ... it's great to see Northland players coming through the ranks."
While Blair plays in the back row for the Storm he feels just as at home playing prop and has adjusted well to the position for the Kiwis' campaign. "I've played lock, prop and back row before ... I don't really mind where I play so long as I get picked."
The 19-test veteran said this Kiwi team was a very capable team, who had done everything they could to prepare for tomorrow's match - which was effectively a test drive for next Saturday's final at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium between the same teams.
"We are definitely not taking this game lightly, once we put on the jersey we will be doing everything we can to win the test match ... no one wants to lose to the Aussies. The boys have got stuck in at the last few sessions and have been training well ... obviously Australia will be tough but it would be good to get a win."
The Kiwis have tweaked their game over the past few sessions in preparation for the Kangaroos and know what they have to do to beat their closest rivals. "We will need to complete our sets against Australia and put pressure on them to force mistakes - and try to capitalise on those mistakes and score some points," he said.
The Four Nations Tournament has come at the end of a tumultuous year for Blair and the Melbourne Storm, who were stripped of its 2007 and 2009 premierships and its 2006-2008 minor premierships, and barred from receiving further premiership points for the rest of the 2010 season after being found guilty of salary cap breaches. "It's been a tough year and it's been good to get away and go into camp with the Kiwis and have something to play for." Along with Blair, Frank Pritchard and emerging international Ben Matulino were also recalled by Kearney for tomorrow's doubleheader after being rested last weekend.
Blair comes back for McKendry and Pritchard and Matulino secure places on a five-man interchange bench, while Sika Manu retains his starting role in the second row.
Over 25,000 tickets have been sold to the doubleheader, with England playing Papua New Guinea in the curtain raiser at 6pm, followed by the Kiwis clash with Australia at 8.15pm.
New Zealand: Lance Hohaia, Jason Nightingale, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Junior Sa'u, Sam Perrett, Benji Marshall (captain), Nathan Fien, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Thomas Leuluai, Adam Blair, Sika Manu, Simon Mannering, Jeremy Smith. Interchange (one to be omitted): Issac Luke, Greg Eastwood, Frank Pritchard, Ben Matulino, Bronson Harrison.
Australia: Darius Boyd, Brett Morris, Brent Tate, Chris Lawrence, Lote Tuqiri, Todd Carney, Cooper Cronk, Matthew Scott, Cameron Smith (captain), David Shillington, Greg Bird, Sam Thaiday, Paul Gallen. Interchange: Dean Young, Petero Civoniceva, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Robbie Farah, Kurt Gidley (one to be omitted).