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SYDNEY - Newcomer Sika Manu will be unleashed on the Kangaroos after Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney plumped for strong National Rugby League playoffs form for Sunday's World Cup opener.
A week after making his test debut off the bench against Tonga, second-rower Manu was promoted to the Kiwis run-on side today alongside Melbourne Storm teammates, prop Adam Blair and lock Jeremy Smith.
For Manu, the 21-year-old Upper Hutt product who'd played just three NRL matches before this season, it continued his dream year which included a first grand final appearance.
There were also five New Zealand Warriors named in the starting lineup, including Aussie-turned-Kiwi Nathan Fien at hooker, along with prop Sam Rapira on the bench, signalling Kearney's preference for players from in-form sides.
"They're the form players of the competition and that's why they've been picked," Kearney said.
"They're the guys that are playing well and they've been rewarded. They had a week off after the grand final then played against Tonga and they're certainly in the right condition to compete against Australia."
Captain Nathan Cayless (knee), wing Manu Vatuvei and fullback Lance Hohaia (both hamstring) were given the all-clear after being rested from the 56-8 win over Tonga as a precaution.
Kearney admitted there were selection headaches, with quality players like hooker Issac Luke, second-rower David Fa'alogo and utility back Krisnan Inu missing the 17 altogether.
Experienced Wests Tigers hooker Dene Halatau pipped Luke on the bench, despite little recent matchplay after minor knee surgery, Roosters utility Setaimata Sa edged Fa'alogo out of another interchange spot and fellow Rooster Sam Perrett got the nod on the wing after a strong game against Tonga.
"I know there's some disappointed lads there. We feel it's the side which is going to do the best job for us on Sunday," Kearney said.
"For the occasion we just thought that (Manu) would be the best option for us, and I know Setaimata can do a good job for us coming off the bench.
"Certainly the mobility of the forwards is something, I didn't consciously look for that but as it turns out..."
Halatau's potential impact off the bench won him the No 14 jersey after a strong end to the regular NRL season, Kearney said.
Outside Cayless' 34 test appearances, Halatau, halfback Thomas Leuluai and Simon Mannering are the next most experienced Kiwis with 13 tests apiece.
Kearney said Steve Matai, who will partner Warrior Jerome Ropati in the centres, would be the likely goalkicker.
The centre pairing was a straightforward choice after Iosia Soliola was yesterday ruled out of the tournament with a shoulder injury, joining Roy Asotasi, Frank Pritchard, Brent Webb and Jeff Lima on the sidelines.
Meanwhile Kearney said there were few surprises in Ricky Stuart's Kangaroos team named today, which included four debutants: Canberra's Joel Monaghan, Gold Coast's Anthony Laffranchi and Manly forwards Glenn Stewart and Josh Perry.
"It's a good side, pretty much how I anticipated it. They've got a few debutants in there but they've all played in big matches before."
The Kiwis trained at inner-city greyhound track Wentworth Park today and were greeted by a wintry blast more akin to Wellington, with the mercury struggling to top 15degC.
Kiwis: Lance Hohaia, Sam Perrett, Steve Matai, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, Benji Marshall, Thomas Leuluai, Nathan Cayless (captain), Nathan Fien, Adam Blair, Simon Mannering, Sika Manu, Jeremy Smith. Interchange: Dene Halatau, Greg Eastwood, Setaimata Sa, Sam Rapira.
- NZPA
