Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney has named a 20-man side to face English Super League champions Leeds Rhinos at Headingley Carnegie this weekend.
Wests Tigers forward Martin Taupau is set to take to the field for the side's first match of its Northern Hemisphere tour.
Four Kiwis newcomers are poised to make their debuts for the national team in their England tour warm-up game against Leeds Rhinos with utility Jordan Kahu lining up in the centres and Tuimoala Lolohea at half, with Kodi Nikorima and Sio Siua Taukeiaho set to come off the bench against the English triple-crown winners.
Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney has named 20 players and both sides will run extended 19-man rotations for the game, which will double as a hit-out for the Kiwis ahead of their three-test series against England and a celebration for the Leeds Rhinos, after their successful domestic campaign.
“This will be perfect preparation for us,” says Kearney. “Leeds will be honouring some pretty special players and they’re expecting a full house.
“We’re very aware of the history of this match, with the 1907 All Golds playing Leeds in their build-up to a test series, so for me, this is an historic occasion in that sense too.”
Local officials are indeed predicting a sell-out at Headingley Carnegie.
The Kiwis line-up for their game against Leeds Rhinos, scheduled for 8pm Friday (UK time) is:
- Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
- Jason Nightingale
- Jordan Kahu
- Dean Whare
- Shaun Kenny-Dowall
- Peta Hiku
- Tuimoala Lolohea
- Jesse Bromwich
- Isaac Luke
- Ben Matulino
- Kevin Proctor
- Tohu Harris
- Martin Taupau
- Kodi Nikorima
- Adam Blair
- Sam Moa
- Sio Siua Taukeiaho
- Alex Glenn
- Gerard Beale
- Lewis Brown
