League: Kearney awash with talent for Anzac test squad

Stephen Kearney. Photo / Getty Images

Provided - and it's a big proviso - the Kiwis in the NRL come through this weekend's round of matches unscathed by injury and the judiciary, coach Stephen Kearney should name an extremely strong Anzac test line-up tomorrow evening.

With Manu Vatuvei, Sam Perrett and Bryson Goodwin all injured, wing is perhaps the only area where the Kiwis will be under-strength.

As long as he isn't viewed as a superior option to Lance Hohaia at fullback, Dragons star Jason Nightingale will be a lock for one wing berth. Warrior Kristnan Inu, Cowboy Antonio Winterstein and Storm wing Matt Duffie appear to be the contenders for the other spot.

With the oft-suspended Steve Matai re-entering calculations, Kearney has four realistic options at centre. Shaun Kenny-Dowall is a certainty for one spot, while Matai, Junior Sa'u or Simon Mannering could fill the other.

Captain Benji Marshall and Manly playmaker Kieran Foran will be the starting halves. On form, Nathan Fien would have the edge on Issac Luke for the starting hooker's job.

With injured Storm forward Sika Manu the only unavailable player from the pack that won November's Four Nations final, Kearney has a host of options up front.

Greg Eastwood was due to play just his second match of the season for the Bulldogs last night after recovering from hand surgery, however the rugged forward was a key performer in the Four Nations and could well be rushed back into the Kiwis.

Kearney's preference throughout the Four Nations was to use Eastwood and Adam Blair at props. However, for the final he debuted giant young Panthers forward Sam McKendry, who was strong. Another incumbent, Ben Matulino, has been steady for the Warriors this season, as has Roosters hard man Frank-Paul Nuuausala.

In the back row Jeremy Smith appears to have a mortgage on the 13 jumper.

Raiders backrower Bronson Harrison hasn't had many chances to shine in Canberra this season but has been a rock for Kearney in recent times, while Mannering will likely revert from centre to the second row.

Forwards chasing a spot include Frank Pritchard, Sam Rapira, Fuifui Moimoi, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Lewis Brown, Mose Masoe and former captain Roy Asotasi.

Possible Kiwis

Lance Hohaia, Jason Nightingale, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Steve Matai, Antonio Winterstein, Benji Marshall (c), Kieran Foran, Adam Blair, Nathan Fien, Sam Rapira, Simon Mannering, Frank Pritchard, Jeremy Smith.

Interchange: Issac Luke, Bronson Harrison, Ben Matulino, Frank-Paul Nuuausala.