England v New Zealand
Galpharm Stadium, 6.30am tomorrow
Manly teenager Kieran Foran will make his test debut for New Zealand tomorrow fully expecting to be dropped after just one game.
Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney delivered a selection surprise by naming 19-year-old Foran in the centres as a replacement for Steve Matai, who has an eye injury.
In doing so, Kearney again overlooked the claims of Parramatta's Krisnan Inu, while Sydney Rooster Sia Soliola stays in the back row.
But Foran, who thought he would be a spectator for the entire trip, immediately predicted he would be back in the grandstand for the final, should New Zealand qualify.
"I think Steve [Matai] will be right - he's just got to miss this week and he'll be all right for the final," said Foran. "I wasn't really coming on this tour expecting to get a game. I just wanted to get some experience, keep my head down and try and train as hard as I can.
"I was overwhelmed. It's a bit of a shock. I'm very happy."
It is a swift reward for Foran's decision to throw in his lot with the Kiwis despite having moved to Australia at a young age and representing the green-and-golds at schoolboy level.
He said Inu and Soliola had congratulated him on his selection.
While he switches between the halves and centres for the Sea Eagles, Foran will stay out wide tomorrow in what is a de facto tournament semifinal.
Coach Stephen Kearney said: "Kieran is the player we believe best suits our needs for this game.
"He's a confident young player who has been working really hard ever since we came into camp and he certainly deserves this chance."
Kearney named six reserves, with two to be omitted. Jeff Lima is back from his ankle problem but Bronson Harrison is still out with a similar affliction.
England have called up Hull KR winger Peter Fox, while five-eighth Danny McGuire and centre Lee Smith have joined Tom Briscoe in being dropped after the 26-16 loss to Australia. Kyle Eastmond of St Helens comes into the halves and Warringtonian Chris Bridge into the centres. Coach Tony Smith has now used all but two of his squad.
Sam Burgess, whose rematch with Fuifui Moimoi has been the focus of publicity, is on the bench.
ENGLAND v NEW ZEALAND
England
Shaun Briscoe
Peter Fox
Chris Bridge
Michael Shenton
Ryan Hall
Sam Tomkins
Kyle Eastmond
Adrian Morley
James Roby
James Graham
Jamie Peacock (c)
Gareth Ellis
Kevin Sinfield
Interchange: Sam Burgess, Eorl Crabtree, Ben Westwood, Jon Wilkin.
New Zealand
Lance Hohaia
Sam Perrett
Kieran Foran
Junior Sau
Bryson Goodwin
Benji Marshall (c)
Nathan Fien
F. Nuuausala
Thomas Leuluai
Fuifui Moimoi
Iosia Soliola
Frank Pritchard
Adam Blair
Interchange: Issac Luke, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Ben Matulino, Jeff Lima, Jason Nightingale, Eddy Pettybourne (two to be omitted).
- NZPA
