KEY POINTS:
A new-look backline with a British flavour held all the interest as new coach Stephen Kearney stamped a defiant mark on naming his first Kiwis team.
English-based Super League players Brent Webb and Thomas Leuluai were included in the 19-strong squad announced yesterday, four days earlier than expected.
By making the team public so early, Kearney and his selectors have whacked the ball firmly into the court of Leeds (Webb) and Wigan (Leuluai) to reverse their reluctance to release the pair.
If they aren't given clearance, the backline will have an especially raw look, with the other players having tallied just 25 tests between them.
Two uncapped backs have been named in St George Illawarra winger Jason Nightingale and Sydney Roosters centre Setaimata Sa while South Sydney hooker Issac Luke will also make his debut.
Kearney was unconcerned about the prospect of fielding such a raw back division against an Australian back seven bristling with experience and class.
"These guys are inexperienced at an international level but they've been around for a while," Kearney told Radio Sport.
"Nightingale's been playing in the NRL for three years and this year is the Dragons' most consistent performer.
"Setaimata Sa has been playing in a quality side at the Roosters and he's been starting for them all year."
Melbourne Storm assistant coach Kearney has also been impressed with the form of Sa's Roosters teammates Iosia Solia (centre) and Sam Perrett (fullback), who have played just four and six tests between them.
"And Brent Webb is a world class fullback so we've got some very capable players there," Kearney added.
Whether he has access to Webb and halfback Leuluai is likely to be determined this week.
Super League giants Leeds, coached by former Kiwis coach Brian McClennan, have been especially forthright in their desire to hold onto Webb as the test clashes with a tough Challenge Cup knockout match.
The New Zealand Rugby League has taken up the issue with England's Rugby Football League and the Rugby League International Federation, whose constitution states players must be made available for test football if selected.
Kearney was taking his own aggressive stance.
"We hope to have a decision by the end of the week but we're counting on them being there... we'll be doing everything we can to get them back," he said.
"It was always my intention to have the best Kiwi team available and that was quite obviously always going to include some Super League players.
"We've let the clubs know that this (selection) was our intention."
Kearney said both plays had conveyed their desire to play next week but admitted players had been placed on standby in case the English clubs get their way.
If cleared, Leuluai will link with Canterbury Bulldogs five-eighth Ben Roberts in the halves, New Zealand's weakest link since the retirement of Stacey Jones and with the ongoing injury problems to Benji Marshall.
Kearney said he was an admirer of Roberts's kicking game and had never considered playing game-breaking Bulldogs forward Sonny Bill Williams at five-eighth as former national coach Frank Endacott suggested this week.
"That's a new one to me. Not unless he (Williams) is a very good kicker of the ball," Kearney said.
"I think he'll be staying in 11 or 12."
Williams' return after a year's absence with injury is the highlight of a forward pack that boasts experience, including the recall of prop Nathan Cayless and loose forward David Fa'alogo.
A talking point was the retention of Roy Asotasi as captain after the South Sydney prop had been so publicly critical of former coach Gary Kemble, who then stepped down.
There is a mass of changes from Kemble's squad who failed so badly in Great Britain late last year, with 15 of the tourists not required.
"We feel we've come up with a side that certainly has players in form and is the best Kiwis side available," Kearney said.
"I'm confident we can get a group together next week and perform very competitively."
- NZPA
