League: Injuries further hit Kiwis' test chances

Warriors hooker Aaron Heremaia is one of three new caps in the Kiwis squad. Photo / Getty Images

They were never going to be at full strength, but the Kiwis' prospects of pulling off a first Anzac test victory on Australian soil took another hit at the weekend with injury ruling out frontline forwards Frank Pritchard and Fuifui Moimoi.

Pritchard suffered a groin strain playing for Penrith against Gold Coast Titans, while Moimoi was already a dubious proposition after being placed on report for a dangerous tackle in Parramatta's victory over the Bulldogs.

Coach Stephen Kearney plugged the gaps last night by naming uncapped Broncos utility Alex Glenn and the similarly green Newcastle Knights forward Zeb Taia.

There was also a fairytale call-up for Warriors hooker Aaron Heremaia, who will spell Isaac Luke off the bench.

His first test cap will complete Heremaia's second coming as a league player after the first, which involved a tiki-tour of the game's outposts, ended with him giving up the game and working as a chef.

Heremaia is one of just four Warriors named in the side. Recalled prop Sam Rapira, second rower Ben Matulino and fullback Lance Hohaia are the others.

Perhaps the biggest shock was the recall of Storm loose forward Sika Manu, who hasn't played an NRL match since breaking his leg in July last year.

However, the five-test forward has been monitored closely by Kearney - his assistant coach at Melbourne - and made his comeback in a 60-minute spell for the Storm's feeder side match against the Auckland Vulcans on Saturday.

The late rash of injuries had made picking the squad a challenge, but Kearney insisted he wasn't bothered by the extensive casualty list.

"Injuries are very much a part of our game," he said. "Rather than worrying about those, we're excited about the players we've been able to bring together for what is a very important match for us in what is a big year for the Kiwis.

"Zeb was a real chance for the Four Nations last year, and Alex was also in the mix. The big mover has been Aaron, who has really impressed us with his form for the Warriors this season."

With the likes of Simon Mannering, Roy Asotasi and Dene Halatau already unavailable, Kearney had been set to recall Dragons backrower Jeremy Smith, a key figure in the 2008 World Cup triumph. But Smith damaged a calf muscle during a fitness test yesterday.

"That was certainly disappointing, but it is a great chance for some of these young guys to step into the fold," Kearney said.

Kearney has not named his line-up but Taia, who was picked for last year's Four Nations but withdrew injured, will slot straight into Pritchard's second row spot.

Glenn's utility value should see him included on the bench, while Manu appears likely to be the 18th man.

As expected, Kearney named Kieran Foran to play alongside captain Benji Marshall in the halves.

In-form Dragons winger Jason Nightingale has been included at the expense of Bryson Goodwin, but otherwise the outside back division is unchanged.

By contrast, the Kangaroos had few selection issues, naming a star-studded side that will be captained by Darren Lockyer.

Four players from the disgraced Melbourne Storm have been included for the match that will open the club's new Rectangular Stadium.

Cooper Cronk replaces the injured Johnathan Thurston at halfback, while fullback Billy Slater, centre Greg Inglis and hooker Cameron Smith were also included.

Brisbane Broncos centre Israel Folau was the major omission. Folau appears to have paid the price for his predicted code swap.

He failed to take up an option on his Broncos contract on Friday and is believed to be weighing up huge offers from AFL and the Melbourne Rebels Super rugby franchise.

New Zealand
Lance Hohaia, Jason Nightingale, Sam Perrett, Junior Sa'u, Steve Matai, Alex Glenn, Kieran Foran, Benji Marshall (captain), Zeb Taia, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Ben Matulino, Adam Blair, Bronson Harrison, Sika Manu, Frank-Paul Nu'uausala, Sam Rapira, Aaron Heremaia, Issac Luke.

Australia
Billy Slater, Brett Morris, Greg Inglis, Jamie Lyon, Jarryd Hayne, Darren Lockyer (captain), Cooper Cronk, Petero Civoniceva, Cameron Smith, David Shillington, Luke Lewis, Sam Thaiday, Paul Gallen, Kurt Gidley, Josh Perry, Anthony Watmough, Michael Weyman.