KEY POINTS:
The Kiwis today made four personnel changes to their side for the rugby league World Cup semifinal against England in Brisbane on Saturday, including a recall from injury for Sika Manu.
The Melbourne Storm second rower suffered a minor fracture of an eye socket in the Kiwis' opening match defeat to Australia and missed the subsequent pool wins over Papua New Guinea and England.
Manu's inclusion allows Simon Mannering to move to the centres to replace Steve Matai, who was stretchered off in the first half against England last weekend after being hurt while making a tackle.
Mannering, who went into the backline when Matai left the field, will be in combination on the right with winger Sam Perrett, who comes in to replace Jason Nightingale.
In the front row, skipper Nathan Cayless returns at the expense of Evarn Tuimavave after having been rested against England.
For the bench, coach Stephen Kearney has opted to add prop Sam Rapira, with veteran forward David Kidwell dropping out of the 17-man squad.
Meanwhile, second rower Bronson Harrison, a late pre-tournament addition to the Kiwi camp because of injury to Iosia Soliola, retains his spot among the substitutes.
Harrison, 23, got his second test appearance last weekend - three years after his debut - and he made the most of the opportunity.
The Wests Tiger produced an energetic performance that included setting up tries for Nightingale and Nathan Fien as the Kiwis overcame a 24-8 deficit to run down the English 36-24.
Fien will again start at halfback, continuing his partnership with five-eighth Benji Marshall, while Thomas Leuluai, the No 1 halfback at the start of the tournament, will again operate at hooker.
KIWIS
Lance Hohaia, Sam Perrett, Simon Mannering, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, Benji Marshall, Nathan Fien, Nathan Cayless (captain), Thomas Leuluai, Adam Blair, Sika Manu, David Fa'alogo, Jeremy Smith. Interchange: Issac Luke, Greg Eastwood, Bronson Harrison, Sam Rapira.
- NZPA
