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Six rookies among Anzac Kiwis
April 27, 2014
Six rookies among Anzac Kiwis
NZ Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney has named six newcomers to his national team to face Australia in next Friday's Anzac Test at Sydney's Allianz Stadium.
Form and injuries have played a part in the Kiwis selection, with only five players - captain Simon Mannering, wing Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, centre Dean Whare, halfback Shaun Johnson, and props Sam Moa and Jesse Bromwich - returning from the side that lost to the Kangaroos in last year's World Cup final.
On the other side of the ledger, fullback Peta Hiku, five-eighths Isaac John, utility Ben Henry and hooker Siliva Havili, and props Martin Taupau and Kenny Bromwich will join the national team for the first time.
Bromwich will join older brother Jesse in the 18-man squad, the first set of siblings to suit up together since Jason and Nathan Cayless in 2006.
The side also features five that played their junior football with the Manurewa Marlins club - the Bromwichs, Havili, Hiku and veteran prop Greg Eastwood.
"We're still very excited by the talent we have available," says Kearney. "Many of these guys have progressed through Junior Kiwis, and into full professional and now international careers.
"There are also some old faces returning and we think this mix will bring a really positive energy to the group.
"This team is an Anzac story in itself - a band of young men thrown together to do whatever it takes to perform for 80 minutes on Friday night.
"We can't wait."
The full Kiwis squad for Anzac Test on May 2 is:
Gerard Beale, (St George-Illawarra Dragons), Adam Blair (Wests Tigers), Jesse Bromwich (Melbourne Storm), Kenneath Bromwich (Melbourne Storm), Greg Eastwood (Canterbury Bulldogs), Tohu Harris (Melbourne Storm), Siliva Havili (NZ Warriors), Ben Henry (NZ Warriors), Peta Hiku (Manly Sea Eagles), Isaac John (Penrith Panthers), Shaun Johnson (NZ Warriors), Simon Mannering (NZ Warriors), Sam Moa (Sydney Roosters), Jason Nightingale (St George-Illawarra Dragons), Kevin Proctor (Melbourne Storm), Martin Taupau (Wests Tigers), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Sydney Roosters), Dean Whare (Penrith Panthers)
ENDS
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