Injured New South Wales Blues hooker Robbie Farah is on course to return earlier than expected and to play in the league State Of Origin series opener.

The Kiwis selectors carried out an exercise six weeks ago when they picked a side for the Anzac test - only four on that list played against Australia on Friday night.

Sam Moa was teased by his Kiwis team-mates about his likeness to Australian heavyweight boxer Alex Leapai in the lead-up to Friday night's Anzac test.

The Kiwis proved on Friday night they can play well when there are no expectations on them - the next step will be to learn how to perform when the winning post is in sight.

Stephen Kearney's side, who were expected to be on the end of a hiding, gave Australia a scare before the world champions gained the ascendancy.

The Kiwis are sending out mixed messages about who will play five-eighth in Friday night's Anzac test in Sydney.

Players often talk about the journey they take to play for the Kiwis but, in the case of Ben Henry, he really has been on an expedition to face Australia in Friday night's Anzac test.

New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney says he's moved on from rugby-bound Sonny Bill Williams.

Matt Gillett admits to mixed feelings when he learned he'll make his test debut for Australia.

He was the controversial omission from last year's World Cup but Tohu Harris is set to return to the New Zealand side for next week's Anzac test.

Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney has confirmed that Sonny Bill Williams wasn't seen as an option for the Anzac test.

Sonny Bill Williams is to boycott the Anzac league test on Friday week, although the Kiwis say he was never under consideration.

Andrew McFadden's first taste of international coaching is over before it even started, with Kiwis' coach Stephen Kearney confirming he has stepped down.

A former Kiwis rugby league star has been arrested for allegedly assaulting an ex-policewoman who resigned in a scandal.

Given the lack of obvious alternatives, Stephen Kearney was the only choice the NZRL could make for Kiwis coach.

Stephen Kearney admits that next time the Kiwis are selected, they will need to take into account "character as well as talent".

The NZRL has stopped short of blaming the use of prescription drugs and energy drinks for the Kiwis' heavy defeat to Australia in last year's World Cup final.

Rugby league authorities will combat the use of sleeping pills and energy drinks by players by including it in drug tests and possibly in codes of conduct.