As it happened: Kiwis v England, third league test

Kiwis captain Dallin Watene-Zelezniak on the burst against England. Photo / Photosport

All the action as the Kiwis took on England in the third and final test.

Isaiah Papali'i's stunning rise this year has continued, with confirmation he will make his Kiwis debut in the third test against England on Monday morning.

Papali'i has always been seen as a special talent, ever since he made his NRL debut when barely out of school, and his ascension was only a matter of time.

But the manner of his elevation will raise some eyebrows, as experienced interchange forward Marty Taupau has been axed at his expense.

Taupau has been a regular since his test debut in May 2014, accumulating 24 tests, and is usually one of the first picked.

In other changes for the test, which gets underway at 4:15am (NZ time), Joseph Tapine returns to the bench after making a brief cameo in Hull, while Jamayne Isaako replaces Canberra winger Jordan Rapana. Rapana has returned to Australia after being ruled out of the tour with a shoulder injury.

Isaako, who was named the Dally M NRL Rookie of the Year, will make his second test appearance after his debut against England in Denver.

Isaako missed the first test in England for the birth of his first child. He rejoined the Kiwis at the end of last week and will add much needed pace to their back line.

The selection for the third test was unusual.

Initially, the NZRL confirmed a 20-man extended squad— without nominating any positions — but a few hours later Maguire had settled on his 17, with Gerard Beale, Fisher-Harris and Jahrome Hughes missing out, while Taupau was omitted all together.

But Papali'i is the story. The 20-year-old, who captained the Junior Kiwis last month, continues his upward trajectory.

"The future of where you are going is strong when you have young players like that coming in," said Maguire.