KEY POINTS:
Fullback Sam Perrett is the most likely to receive a call-up from the Kiwis provided he plays well for the All Golds against the Northern Union side at Warrington on Sunday.
The 22-year-old Auckland-born wing was moved to fullback at the Roosters to cover for Anthony Minichiello when he suffered a season-ending leg injury and played out the year there with credit.
Given his ability to cover both positions as well as the Kiwis' need for speed, he is ahead of the other All Golds' candidates for the last spot in the Kiwis' 24-man tour party for the test series against Great Britain and the one-off game against France.
Thomas Leuluai, who can kick goals and provides halfback/hooker cover, and Broncos utility Greg Eastwood, are likely to be Perrett's main opponents.
There is also interest in the performance of teenager Chase Stanley at five-eighth for the All Golds. Could he be a test candidate there?
The Northern Union side is being prepared by Great Britain's new coach Tony Smith and he indicated his intention to use the game as a trial for the confrontation with the Kiwis on October 27 by dubbing it "the fourth test".
So, while there will be something of a festival atmosphere and there is the intention to entertain, there will be a serious edge to the contest.
Seven players in the side named by Smith yesterday are yet to make their international debut.
The rest have played at least one international and all are considered test candidates. Seven played in Great Britain's last game, a 42-14 win over France in July.
The injury-enforced withdrawals from the test squad of Bradford's Paul Deacon, Richard Horne from Hull and Kevin Brown (Huddersfield Giants) has left Smith short of choices at halfback.
Wakefield's Jamie Rooney gets a chance at No 7 and Leeds' grand final-winning five-eighth Danny McGuire is in the six jersey for the All Golds' game, though it's expected Lions captain Jamie Peacock will be five-eighth for the test and Leeds' Rob Burrow the halfback.
McGuire is the only Northern Union player from last weekend's Super League grand final.
A sell-out crowd of around 15,000 is expected, with a range of attractions.
There is the final retirement of Kiwis great Stacey Jones who plays his last game at this level, the teaming of veteran Warriors props Ruben Wiki, who holds the all-time test appearance record, and Australian Steve Price as the Dally M representative, as well as the leadership of world's best coach Wayne Bennett.
Use of the 1907 points scoring system is intended as a nod to history and the teams will wear old-style jerseys. The game will be preceded by a march-past of the Northern Union clubs from 1907 and also the 30 nations who play rugby league.
Also celebrating their centenary this year are the Boy Scouts and members of the Warrington East scout group will walk out with both the Northern Union and All Golds' sides.
The All Golds of 1907/08 played 35 games in a five-month tour of England, winning 19, losing 14, with two draws. The first "test" against the Northern Union was lost 14-6, the next two won 18-6 and 8-5.
The 2007 All Golds and the Kiwis have had separate routines this week with the commemorative team meeting the Queen at Buckingham Palace while the Kiwis trained in Leeds.
The stench of a police investigation into sexual assault claims following their thrashing by Australia in Wellington clings to the national side. The NZRL is refusing to comment, saying the matter is awaiting police action.
But it seems certain there has been a full review and further management routines and security been put in place.
It is clear where the Kiwis lost the game in Wellington, with the stats showing a huge difference in forward ground-gain. The Kangaroos were led by Willie Mason who made 212m coming off the bench while Steve Price made 182m, Petero Civoniceva 177m and Ryan Hoffman 132m. By comparison only Roy Asotasi, with 147m, and bench man Jeff Lima, with 174m, of the Kiwis crossed the 100m mark. Next best was Simon Mannering with 66m, though he did make 44 tackles as well.
Where were the rest?
On the back of that gain, Kangaroos five-eighth Greg Bird cut the Kiwis up, running 233m. By comparison, Kiwis five-eighth Ben Roberts ran 17m. Too many of the Kangaroos' 11 tries were soft runs through poor defence.
Even allowing the overlap of having 13 men playing 12 after Steve Matai was dismissed, there were still 50 missed tackles. Conceding 11 tries is an embarrassment.
The Great Britain side will be experienced, toughened and determined as players queue for World Cup spots under the new coach.
Given their shockingly poor start to the campaign as well as the disruption of the police investigation, the Kiwis' coaches and management have a big job in front of them to keep the tour on track. There is every prospect of a major train wreck if they don't.
