Losing Benji Marshall and Gerard Beale is not the sort of news Kiwis fans hoping for a first win in the Anzac test since 1998 wanted to hear, but the loss of two key players is not as grievous as it once might have been.

Dumping Benji Marshall as captain was a decision that Stephen Kearney thought he would never have to make.

The NZRL and Stephen Kearney were mindful of the fallout from Ross Taylor's messy sacking as New Zealand cricket captain last year when deciding on a new Kiwis skipper.

A new Kiwis skipper will be named tomorrow after Benji Marshall was stripped of the captaincy - something coach Stephen Kearney described as a "tough" decision.

A highly encouraging start from three debutants, the sparkling return to the fold of Krisnan Inu and a rejuvenated display by captain Benji Marshall gave the Kiwis plenty of reasons for optimism heading into their World Cup defence.

The Kiwis produced one of their best performances in recent times in a one-off test against the Kangaroos, however they still came up short.

Off the back of the worst NRL season of his career, Adam Blair hopes Saturday's test can be the spring board for a much improved 2013.

Three players will make their debuts for the Kiwis in their test against the Kangaroos in Townsville on Saturday night.

There's no room for underachievers in Stephen Kearney's Kiwis test squad.

Seven players from the NRL grand final feature in the Kiwis squad named today to play Australia in Townsville.

It's official - Sam Kasiano is a Kiwi. The NRL prop of the year last night confirmed he'll accept selection to the Kiwis side to take on Australia later this month.