League: Familiar faces appeal to Kearney for Anzac clash

Injuries have cut down the options for Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney in choosing an Anzac test side. Photo / Rotorua Daily Post

Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney won't spend his weekend fretting over the on-field conduct of his prospective Anzac test players.

It's not that he isn't concerned about the prospect of losing a key player or two to the judiciary before next Friday's match - something that seems to occur most years. It's just that there's nothing he can do about it.

"I don't have a great deal of control over that, so there is no point in me sitting and watching and hoping [players] don't get charged," Kearney said.

The coach will also have his time occupied by his assistant's duties with a scandal-rocked Melbourne Storm side when it takes on the Cowboys in Townsville tomorrow night.

But there is no doubt his Kiwis side could do without a repeat of the incident that saw hooker Isaac Luke rubbed out of last year's fixture.

Kearney is keeping his cards close to his chest before tomorrow night's team announcement but it appears unlikely he has too many rabbits stashed away in a hat.

One player who can be struck from a list of potential bolters is Wellington-born Titans centre Joseph Tomane.

The 20-year-old has been hugely impressive since switching from Melbourne this season.

But while he reportedly identifies as a Kiwi, he played rugby union for the Australian schoolboys' side and is believed to have his sights set on playing for Queensland, which would rule him out of Kiwis contention. "I haven't inquired about him. That should answer your question," Kearney said.

The bulk of Kearney's side is certain to come from last year's Four Nations touring squad. Of those who missed that tour, Warriors prop Sam Rapira and centre Jerome Ropati are back in contention.

Rapira's form certainly warrants a recall, but Ropati may struggle to get ahead of incumbents Steve Matai and Junior Sa'u.

Although Kearney has more than 70 Kiwi NRL players to choose from, an extensive injury list has limited his options.

Manu Vatuvei and Simon Mannering are still out of action for at least another fortnight, while Nathan Fien, Dene Halatau, Roy Asotasi and Jeremy Smith all have medium to long-term injuries.

Most, if not all, of that group would have been automatic selections. Their absence likely leaves Kearney leaning heavily on last year's touring squad.

Although concerned about a lack of depth in the halves - where Manly five-eighth Kieran Foran appears favourite to partner captain Benji Marshall - Kearney was confident a selection panel that also includes convener Howie Tamati, Tawera Nikau and Tony Iro would pick a competitive side.

"Super-confident, actually," Kearney said. "I'm happy with what we'll put out there, put it that way."

Three or four positions were still up for grabs heading into this weekend's matches, he said.

"Performance this weekend will go a long way to deciding positions within the group and if people are part of the group."

While past performances would count, Kearney said he was most interested in present form.

"It is about performance. There is no point picking someone because they played well last year if they have been terrible this year. It's important they are playing good footy heading into the match next week, so it is about form firstly.

"But if there are two guys in a similar mould, I will look at what they have done for us in the past."

The May 7 match will be Kearney's first in charge of the Kiwis in his home base of Melbourne and his 13th test as coach.

In his first two years in the role the Kiwis have won seven tests - including the 34-20 World Cup final win in 2008 - drawn one, and lost four.

Melbourne's Adam Blair is the only player who has appeared in all 12 tests during Kearney's reign, while Sam Perrett, Lance Hohaia, Thomas Leuluai, Benji Marshall and Nathan Fien have each missed just one game.