Adam Blair's return from suspension, a debut for Elijah Taylor and Nathan Fien's recall are the features of the Kiwis' line-up for their Four Nations clash against Wales at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
Blair, who will play for the Wests Tigers next season, will be playing in his first match since being banned following Melbourne's NRL battle against Manly at Brookvale Oval on August 26.
He comes into the second row for his 23rd Test, replacing Simon Mannering who is to have his first break from a heavy 31-match schedule this year. He not only captained the Warriors in each of their 28 NRL games but also appeared in the Anzac Test against the Kangaroos in May and the two internationals against Australia on October 16 and 28.
Fien is on the bench after missing the Four Nations opener against Australia last Friday night, Wigan's Thomas Leuluai moves into the starting hooker's role and Issac Luke has the week off.
And the 21-year-old Taylor (21) becomes Kiwi No 770 after being named on the interchange, capping a remarkable season by making his NRL and Test debuts in the same year. Taylor has forced his way into the 17-man squad following Brisbane utility Alex Glenn's selection in the centres. His Broncos team-mate Gerard Beale, who was in the centres for the last two Tests against Australia, moves onto the wing with North Queensland's Kalifa Faifai Loa making way.
