Blair in Line to Return for Second Test

BLAIR IN LINE TO RETURN FOR SECOND TEST


Liverpool, England, November 2, 2018 – Seasoned campaigner Adam Blair has been included in a 19-man New Zealand Kiwis squad for Sunday’s second Test against England at Anfield in Liverpool (2.30pm kick-off local time; 1.30am Monday NZT).

The 32-year-old was a late withdrawal for last Saturday’s first Test in Hull but head coach Michael Maguire has today confirmed Blair has fully recovered from a minor knee injury to be in contention this week.

Easily the most experienced player in the touring party, Blair is in line to make his 47th Test appearance.

Maguire has named the same 19 players originally selected for the opening encounter of the series. He will confirm his final 17 an hour and a half before kick-off.

“Adam has got through training well this week to put himself back in the frame for what is a critical match for us,” said Maguire.

“The players are all aware of the areas we need to improve in and they’ve put in the work this week to address where we need to be better.

“It’s also going to be a special experience playing at such a great stadium like Anfield, one we’re really looking forward to.”

This will be only the second rugby league international played at the Liverpool Football Club’s home.

The first was the 2016 Four Nations final between the Kangaroos and the Kiwis. The only survivors from that match named today are wing Jordan Rapana, halfback Shaun Johnson, props Jesse Bromwich and Blair, second rower Kevin Proctor and interchange forwards Martin Taupau and Joseph Tapine.

There have been four other rugby league matches played at Anfield previously, the first of them between Widnes and Wigan in 1989 followed by the 1991 World Club Challenge when Wigan faced Penrith.

The Kiwis’ preparation so far this week has centred on field sessions at Liverpool FC’s base at Melwood and the Wigan Warriors’ training centre in Orrell. They’ll have their first look at Anfield tomorrow when they have their final field session there.

NEW ZEALAND KIWIS v ENGLAND

2.30pm, Sunday, November 4, 2018

Anfield, Liverpool


NEW ZEALAND KIWIS


DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK (Penrith Panthers) captain

LEESON AH MAU (St George Illawarra Dragons)

ADAM BLAIR (Vodafone Warriors)

JESSE BROMWICH (Melbourne Storm)

KENNY BROMWICH (Melbourne Storm)

JAMES FISHER-HARRIS (Penrith Panthers)

JAHROME HUGHES (Melbourne Storm)

SHAUN JOHNSON (Vodafone Warriors)

ISAAC LIU (Sydney Roosters)

JOSEPH MANU (Sydney Roosters)

ESAN MARSTERS (Wests Tigers)

KEN MAUMALO (Vodafone Warriors)

KODI NIKORIMA (Brisbane Broncos)

KEVIN PROCTOR (Gold Coast Titans)

JORDAN RAPANA (Canberra Raiders)

BRANDON SMITH (Melbourne Storm)

JOSEPH TAPINE (Canberra Raiders)

MARTIN TAUPAU (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)

JARED WAEREA-HARGREAVES (Sydney Roosters)

HEAD COACH | MICHAEL MAGUIRE

NEW ZEALAND KIWIS | END OF SEASON CAMPAIGN

(includes first Test v England, KCOM Stadium, Hull)

Player Club Kiwi No Tests for NZ
LEESON AH MAU St George Illawarra Dragons 812 3
GERARD BEALE Vodafone Warriors 767 11
ADAM BLAIR Vodafone Warriors 732 46
JESSE BROMWICH Melbourne Storm 775 26
KENNEATH BROMWICH Melbourne Storm 796 5
JAMES FISHER-HARRIS Penrith Panthers 801 4
PETA HIKU Vodafone Warriors 781 11
JAHROME HUGHES Melbourne Storm - -
JAMAYNE ISAAKO Brisbane Broncos 808 1
SHAUN JOHNSON Vodafone Warriors 774 27
ISAAC LIU Sydney Roosters 805 5
JOSEPH MANU Sydney Roosters 815 2
ESAN MARSTERS Wests Tigers 809 3
KEN MAUMALO Vodafone Warriors 810 3
KODI NIKORIMA Brisbane Broncos 790 11
AGNATIUS PAASI Vodafone Warriors - -
ISAIAH PAPALI’I Vodafone Warriors - -
KEVIN PROCTOR Gold Coast Titans 771 19
JORDAN RAPANA Canberra Raiders 798 10
BRANDON SMITH Melbourne Storm 816 2
JOSEPH TAPINE Canberra Raiders 800 9
MARTIN TAUPAU Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 785 23
JARED WAEREA-HARGREAVES Sydney Roosters 755 26
DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK Penrith Panthers 794 9

PROGRAMME

Saturday, October 13 | v Australia, Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland | Won 26-24

Saturday, October 27 | v England, KCOM Stadium, Hull | Lost 16-18

Sunday, November 4 | v England, Anfield, Liverpool

Saturday, November 11 | v England, Elland Road, Leeds

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