KEY POINTS:
Thomas Leuluai can stake his claim for New Zealand's No 7 jersey in the first test against Great Britain but the Wigan Warriors halfback is more concerned with keeping the Kiwis' spirit alive.
Last week, Leuluai partnered Stacey Jones as standoff for the All Golds, yet tomorrow the 22-year-old will set about filling the void left by Jones as he makes his first test appearance since last year's Anzac test.
The Centenary international could prove to be the end of an era for the Kiwis with Jones, Ruben Wiki and Nigel Vagana wearing the black jersey for the final time, although Leuluai wants to ensure they have merely passed on the mantle.
"It's disappointing because I loved playing with Ruben, Stacey and Nigel, I looked up to them so much," he said.
"They're legends of the game and every Kiwi bloke here looks up to them.
"Players like that come around once in a blue moon, and there's a bit of a gap between them and the rest of us, but they couldn't play forever.
"It was going to happen sooner or later, and now it's happened, we've got to get on with it."
Leuluai made his test debut at just 18 in 2003 and appeared throughout the 2004 Tri-Nations but has been in and out of the Kiwis squad since moving to Super League in 2005 with London Broncos, now Harlequins RL.
Leuluai admits it was a pleasure whenever he rejoined the Kiwis and feels that recreating that camaraderie is the priority on this tour, rather than results.
"If I don't get picked for one series but then play the next one, it doesn't matter," he said.
"Every time I get asked to play, it's an honour. I enjoy playing in these games and hanging around with the guys for a few weeks.
"But the main goal here is the World Cup next year.
"This series is going to be forgotten as soon as it finishes.
"The results are important but I think that picking up the culture that the guys left and trying to keep that going should be the main goal.
"The feeling when we came into camp was an awesome experience for a young guy and I don't want that to change one bit.
"Good players are always going to come out of New Zealand, but if we can build that culture again, we'll get the rest of it right too."
With many prospects at his disposal, new coach Gary Kemble must examine his options before deciding on the halves combination that will lead the new generation.
Ben Roberts and Jeremy Smith were given first shot against Australia, but after a record 58-0 defeat in Wellington and a promising first season for Leuluai with Wigan, he now has a chance to impress.
"Every time I get an opportunity, I try to make my mark," said Leuluai.
"There's a lot of key players missing, we're young and inexperienced, and we've had a tough start (against Australia) so we've got to stick together.
"It's not an ideal situation but we've got to move forward and the next few weeks will be a good chance for us all to have a go.
"I'm just thinking about the next test," he added.
"If I play well, then hopefully I'll get picked for the next one, but if I don't, I'll get behind Ben Roberts and Jeremy Smith, who I think are two great players as well.
"That's the culture the Kiwis should have - whether you're in or not, you're still there for the boys.
