Five players to make Test debuts against Kangaroos |

Christchurch, New Zealand, October 22, 2024 – Five players have been named who will make their Test debuts in the New Zealand Kiwis’ sold-out clash against the Kangaroos at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch on Sunday (kick-off 6.05pm).

The match is the return leg of the Trans-Tasman Labor Day doubleheader after the Kiwi Ferns meet Australia’s Jillaroos (kick-off 3:35pm).

In his debut as Kiwi head coach, Stacey Jones gave first tests to Gold Coast defender Keano Keaney, Melbourne forward William Warbrick, Newcastle hooker Phoenix Crossland, Brisbane second rower Jordan Reekie and Sydney Roosters forward » Naufahu White.

While Crossland is in the New Zealand camp for the first time, Keaney and White did not play in last year’s Pacific Championship title-winning Kiwi squad, Ricky was in New Zealand’s half-year test squad for 2022 and Warbrick played for the Kiwi A team against Tonga A last season.

Warbrick, 26, becomes a triple international after scoring an impressive 32 tries in 49 appearances in his first two seasons in the NRL.

He first represented New Zealand in Australian football before becoming an international rugby union player with the All Blacks Sevens and winning a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Titans player of the year Keaney started at fullback and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was selected at opposition – a role he filled when the One New Zealand Warriors stunned premiers Penrith 22-20 during the NRL magic round in May.

Nicoll-Klokstad will team up in the half with 34-year-old teammate Shaun Johnson, who is back on the international stage aged 33.^district The test comes just weeks after he announced his retirement.

Hull Kingston Rovers center Peta Hiku, who returned to New Zealand on Sunday, becomes the first Super League player to feature for the Kiwis since Thomas Leuluai returned home from Wigan for the 2017 Rugby World Cup.

The starting pack includes two four-time premiership-winning Penrith forwards: captain and prop James Fisher-Harris and second-rower Scott Sorensen.

Christchurch-raised Ricky, named on the bench for his debut, is one of five players with South Island ties.

As a junior with the Riccarton Knights and Hornby Panthers, he was joined by Christchurch-born and trained forward Jamaine Isaako (Aranui Eagles junior), while Greymouth-born forward Griffin Neame played for the Halswell Hornets as a junior and Crossland’s maternal family line originally from the West Coast. Nikorima lived in Christchurch as a youth, playing for the Burnham Chevaliers, Hornby Panthers, Halswell Hornets and Lynnwood Keas.

Apart from Johnson, the Kiwis’ most experienced Test players are Joseph Tapine (19 Tests), Hiku (17 Tests) and Fisher-Harris and Nikorima (15 Tests each).

Seven players were in the New Zealand team that beat Australia 30-0 in last year’s Pacific Championship final: Isaako, center Matt Timoko, Nicholl-Klokstad, Fisher-Harris, Tapine, Isaiah Papali and Griffin Neame, as well as an eighth player in support. Leo Thompson has been ruled out of the game as he serves a one-match ban from his final appearance of the NRL season.

After facing Australia, the Kiwis will take on Tonga at Go Media Stadium in Auckland on Saturday 2 November. Tickets can be purchased HERE.

The Kangaroos arrive in Christchurch tonight after opening their campaign with an 18-0 win over Tonga in Brisbane last Friday night.

The Kiwis, Kiwi Ferns, Kangaroos and Jillaroes will gather at Wainoni Park in Aranui for a puhiri tomorrow at 3.30pm, followed by a fan day.

NEW ZEALAND – AUSTRALIA

Apollo Projects Stadium

Christchurch

18:05, Sunday, October 27, 2024