Rugby League: Change of strip for new league image

The Kiwis will run out in a modified strip at Stadium Australia tomorrow night, the jersey having been updated after last year's tri-series.

The white V is more rounded and rolls over the sleeves in a white flash.

The kiwi in the panel has been replaced by an emroidered kiwi, fern and the words NZ Kiwis 2000.

The same words are in red with an Anzac poppy on the collar. The socks have a wider white band.

All-up, it is a smarter version without too much advertising intrusion. Most of all, it still looks like a Kiwi jersey.

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On the sidleines giving support this week have been Nathan Cayless, Jarrod McCracken and Quentin Pongia, and Mark Horo.

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New Kiwi standoff Tasesa Lavea and his brother Tai, who according to Tasesa is just as good a player but struggling with injury, cannot be told apart when you're looking at their right sides.

Front-on or from the left, it's an unusual flash of bright white in half the left eyebrow that gives Tasesa away.

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An unsung hero with the Kiwis is the conditioner/strapper/water-bottle and gear carrier/spare tackle-bag they call "Compass."

Real name, Chris Kallis, he played in Brisbane Norths sides under former Kiwi coach Graham Lowe and got dragged into work for the New Zealand side.

That was in 1983 and he's still there.

He used to work for free, sleeping on the massage table in the physio's room because the budget could not support him.

Now he gets airline tickets, a hotel bed and food, but still no pay.

He reckons the job is worth it for the benefits of being close to the Kiwis and the job spin-offs.

He has also worked for Wigan, Queensland and others when they tour in Sydney.

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Just when he was starting to feel like an endangered species, Australian specialist hooker Jason Hetherington received a new lease of life.

The unmistakable chrome-dome of Hetherington has not been sighted on an international rugby league field since 1998 - and his chances of ending that record looked grim on Sunday.

The selectors overlooked the Bulldog rake when the Australian side were named for tomorrow's test against New Zealand in Sydney, opting instead for Newcastle half Andrew Johns.

But the 30-year-old Hetherington got the nod when Johns pulled out of the side due to a persistent groin injury.

Hetherington said: "It's unfortunate for Andrew, but I've got to take my opportunities too."