KEY POINTS:
Kiwis coach Brian McClennan has significantly remodelled his starting side for the crucial Tri-Nations rugby league clash with Great Britain in Wellington on Saturday night, making six changes to the line-up fielded against the Lions in Christchurch a fortnight ago.
In a notable change to the starting pack, South Sydney second rower David Fa'alogo earns his first test start after coming off the bench at Jade Stadium.
Wests Tigers utility Dene Halatau comes in at hooker for the exiled Nathan Fien.
Halatau started in the dummy half role in the Tri-Nations opener in Auckland on October 14 but injured his shoulder during the match and has only now become re-available for selection.
Injury concerns also eased in the backline with Shontayne Hape and Steve Matai back after missing the first Lions encounter with knee and shoulder problems respectively.
Hape replaces Tame Tupou on the wing while Matai's return sees Nigel Vagana returning to five-eighth and Jerome Ropati drop out of the 17-man squad.
Fa'alogo's starting debut at lock sees Simon Mannering shift to the second row and Frank Pritchard drops to the bench.
Melbourne Storm front rower Adam Blair is also back in favour, earning a bench spot at the expense of St Helens prop Jason Cayless.
The Kiwis must win the test to keep their slim title chances alive after suffering back-to-back losses to the Kangaroos before their 18-14 win over Great Britain in Christchurch was voided because the Australian-born Fien was ineligible for selection.
The loss of two points has been compounded by the Lions' shock 23-12 win in Sydney last weekend, which gives them a positive points differential of 28 over the Kiwis.
Australia have already booked a place in the November 25 final in Sydney.
New Zealand team: Brent Webb, Shontayne Hape, Iosia Soliola, Steve Matai, Manu Vatuvei, Nigel Vagana, Stacey Jones, David Fa'alogo, Simon Mannering, David Kidwell, Roy Asotasi, Dene Halatau, Ruben Wiki (captain).
Interchange: Motu Tony, Nathan Cayless, Adam Blair, Frank Pritchard.
- NZPA
