The return of experienced trio Simon Mannering, Kieran Foran and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck headline New Zealand's squad to face the Kangaroos in Friday's Anzac Test in Canberra.

Mannering, a former Kiwis captain, and New Zealand Warriors teammate Tuivasa-Sheck missed all representative matches last year due to injury while Foran was unavailable for selection. ''First of all, all three of them bring a lot of Mana to our group and that's hugely important,'' Kidwell said of the trio.

"Simon's experience in any squad is invaluable, he's been a leader in our side for a long time, so it's fantastic to have him fit and ready. Kieran's been playing some good footy this year and his combination with Shaun Johnson and Roger at the back is certainly benefiting from the more time they all spend together too,'' Kidwell continued.  

Aside from naming a debutant in Melbourne's Brandon Smith, the other talking point is the inclusion of St George Illawarra Dragon Prop Russell Packer, who hasn't played in the black jumper since 2011. "Russell's form speaks for itself,' said Kidwell, ''he was pretty delighted to get a call from me, like anyone in life they have their ups and downs, and Russell's been putting the hard yards in, and we just want him to do the same for the Kiwis.''

Update: Elijah Taylor has replaced Nelson Asofa-Solomona (hand injury) in the squad.

 


NAME

CLUB

TESTS

ELIJAH TAYLOR

Wests Tigers

10

ADAM BLAIR

Brisbane Broncos

40

JESSE BROMWICH (Captain)

Melbourne Storm

23

KENNY BROMWICH

Melbourne Storm

1

KIERAN FORAN

Warriors

20

DAVID FUSITU'A

Warriors

2

SHAUN JOHNSON

Warriors

20

JORDAN KAHU

Brisbane Broncos

8

ISSAC LUKE

Warriors

41

SIMON MANNERING

Warriors

41

KODI NIKORIMA

Brisbane Broncos

4

RUSSELL PACKER

St George Illawarra Dragons

2

KEVIN PROCTOR

Gold Coast Titans

16

JORDAN RAPANA

Canberra Raiders

4

BRANDON SMITH

Melbourne Storm

 *

JASON TAUMALOLO

North Queensland Cowboys

9

MARTIN TAUPAU

Manly Sea Eagles

15

ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK

Warriors

11

DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK

Penrith Panthers

2

DEAN WHARE

Penrith Panthers

15