KEY POINTS:
They might not be full strength, but Kangaroos prop Steve Price rates it the most imposing Kiwis side he's seen ahead of Sunday's World Cup league opener here.
The Warriors captain turns from hero to villain, from a New Zealand viewpoint, as he dons the green and gold for his 12th test alongside fellow transplanted Aucklander and brother-in-law Brent Tate at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Price has played just one test in the past three years, the 58-0 hiding of the Kiwis in Wellington last year. His previous international was one to forget, and also the last time the Kiwis beat their Tasman neighbours, 24-0 in the 2005 Tri-Nations final in England.
Despite the Kiwis being without four of their best players - Roy Asotasi, Frank Pritchard, Brent Webb (all injured) and the departed Sonny Bill Williams - Price was clear where Stephen Kearney's side rated.
"The team they named against Tonga was a really strong side and the result [56-8] was relevant to that," Price said.
"They'll have to leave guys out of their 17 that just as much deserve to be there, very talented players, even though they're missing Sonny Bill, Roy and Frank.
"I think across the board, yeah, it's probably the best opportunity for them to have close to their strongest side.
"Brent Webb's not there, he would have been great, but Lance Hohaia has been playing really well."
Price said the Kiwis wouldn't waste time stressing about who was absent. Asotasi's absence would be ably covered by players like Warriors prop Sam Rapira who Price rated one of the NRL team's best in 2008.
On the coaching front, Kearney and former Kangaroos and Brisbane guru Wayne Bennett had already established a disciplined regime, while Kiwis legends Stacey Jones and Ruben Wiki were also part of the staff.
"It's all about preparation and mental attitude and I'm pretty sure they're going to be right on the mark. The guys they've got in the background, he's got a good team around him, Steve Kearney."
Price said Wiki, who ended his playing career earlier this month, would still have a big impact in his role as trainer and mentor.
"How long have you got? His impact on younger guys is unbelievable, I've seen that over the last four years at the Warriors," Price said.
"Also just his mana in the Kiwi jersey, if he says something the boys will listen. He's just a brilliant person as well, so off the field he's going to have such an impact on those guys making sure their preparation is spot on.
"He'll be doing a lot of stuff with them, taking some shots, he'll be giving some shots, he'll just want to be out there as much as them so that'll have a good flow-on effect as well."
Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart was set to name his side today but postponed it until tomorrow.
Whether Price gets a starting spot at prop, or comes off the bench on Sunday, the 34-year-old admitted selection for his first World Cup was as memorable as his debut.
"There's so many Australian players to pick from, that's why it is so special every time you do get picked, it could be your last time.
"I've never played in a World Cup, so when I got my name read out I was so excited.
"It's just a really good time and you want to make the most of your performance. You don't want to ruin it by not performing very well."
The Kiwis trained at Concord Oval in Sydney's inner west yesterday and Kearney is scheduled to name his side today.
Injured Soliola out of cup
Devastated Sydney Roosters centre Iosia Soliola was yesterday ruled out of the Kiwis' World Cup campaign.
The 22-year-old, who played his seventh international in the Centenary Test against Australia in May, has been forced to pull out with a shoulder injury.
Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney said Canberra-bound Wests Tigers back rower Bronson Harrison, a one-test Kiwi in 2005, would replace Soliola in the 24-man squad.
Soliola played for the All Golds against the New Zealand Maori on October 12 but was not selected for the Kiwis test against Tonga last Saturday.
He said he was shattered after results of a scan revealed he risked serious injury to his shoulder if he played in the World Cup.
Kearney said Soliola's Roosters teammate Setaimata Sa would provide back-up in the centres.
Harrison's only test appearance so far was against France during the Kiwis successful 2005 Tri Nations campaign.
- NZPA
