KEY POINTS:
Both the Kangaroos and Kiwis have talked up their newcomers and showed confidence in their all-round abilities in the leadup to tomorrow's Transtasman rugby league test in Wellington.
Australia have eight debutantes, including the new halfback/five-eighth pairing of Cooper Cronk and Greg Bird, while the Kiwis have six - three in the forwards and three in the backs.
Kiwis coach Gary Kemble said one of the more intriguing matchups would be on the wing where bullocking wing Taniela Tuiaki faces explosive 18-year-old Australian and fellow rookie Israel Folau.
"It's going to be great to see those two players go up against each other because the crowds love them," he said.
"Both of them score tries, both are big, strong and powerful."
Kiwis captain Roy Asotasi said he had a lot of confidence in the younger players and it made things exciting beyond tomorrow's test.
"We've got some young, enthusiastic new guys stepping on to the scene and I guess that's a great thing for Kiwi league."
He said Kiwis sides had always been physical but at times struggled to stay in the game for the full 80 minutes against Australia.
"But I think now you'll find that the Kiwis can match the Aussies all the way."
Kangaroos prop Steve Price yesterday admitted there was top talent in both sides and said it should lead to a good spectacle regardless of the conditions.
"There is some exciting talent in the outside backs, so you could play dry conditions, both forward packs are very strong, so you could play a forward oriented game as well." he said.
"I don't think (the conditions) are really going to matter for either side, it's probably going to be about how the referee referees the game and the flow of the game and what opportunities both sides get."
Meanwhile, rugby league ambassador and former Kiwis manager Peter "The Mad Butcher" Leitch called for Wellingtonians to make an effort to get to the Westpac Stadium test.
He said with the Wellington Phoenix soccer team now drawing good crowds to the stadium the capital was making a push to be the country's sports capital.
"If they get a decent crowd in here maybe they can wear that crown."
Leitch said the players had to respond, but there was no question a good crowd could provide a boost.
"We saw that in our home game during the season with the Warriors against (NRL finalists) Manly.
"The crowd were hostile and vocal and boy it lifted the guys up and we dealt to Manly."
Rain has fallen in Wellington for the past few days to the extent the Kangaroos had to shift from one sodden ground to a less sodden one yesterday.
Any suggestions continued rain will affect tomorrow's outcome have been dismissed by both teams, who seem eager to bring their young backs into the mix as much as possible.
- NZPA
