Dane Gagai will become the oldest Test debutant in New Zealand history when he joins fellow first-time Kiwi Kalyn Ponga in the opening match of the Rugby League World Cup against defending champion Australia at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Thursday (8.05pm AEDT kick-off).
The record has set 55 years ago when Canterbury hooker Jim Fisher, who passed away just last month at the age of 85, made his debut at 30 years 75 days in the first Test against Great Britain in Salford in 1971.
Named in the centres, Gagai will shatter that mark when he takes the field at 36 years 286 days on Thursday night, nine years after playing the first of his seven Tests for the Kangaroos in the opening match of the 2017 World Cup in Melbourne.
Gagai, who has Māori heritage on his mother’s side, was cleared to switch his eligibility to New Zealand on the eve of Newcastle’s appearance in the NRL grand final against the Sydney Roosters on October 4.
He has previously played three times for the Māori All Stars and also appeared three times for the Indigenous All Stars through his father’s heritage.
Gagai’s Knights teammate Ponga will line up at fullback against the Kangaroos, capping his ambition to play for the Kiwis after representing the Māori All Stars three times.
Kiwi head coach Stacey Jones has included the grand finalists in a potent combination which draws on an experienced pack.
Of the forwards used in the 36-14 win over Toa Samoa in the Pacific Championships final last year five return – captain James Fisher-Harris (Warriors) and Moses Leota (Panthers) as the starting props with Briton Nikora (Sharks) and Isaiah Papali’i (Panthers) in the second row and vice-captain Joseph Tapine (Raiders) at loose forward.
The only player missing is Knights hooker Phoenix Crossland, ruled out through suspension; he’s replaced by Dolphins dummy half Jeremy Marshall-King.
Jones has also named the same impressive interchange combination from the victory over Samoa with Te Maire Martin (Warriors) joining middle forwards Naufahu Whyte (Roosters), Erin Clark (Warriors) and Xavier Willison (Broncos).
With Ponga coming into the side, Keano Kini (Titans) moves onto the extended bench while Ronaldo Multialo (Sharks) returns on the left wing after being injured in the opening match of last year’s Pacific series against Samoa.
Gagai is paired in the centres with Casey McLean (Panthers) with halfback Jahrome Hughes (Storm) back in the Kiwi jersey for the first time since the 14-16 loss to Australia in the 2022 World Cup semifinal in Leeds.
Wearing the No.6 jersey will be Kodi Nikorima (Dolphins), the longest-serving Kiwi in the squad who debuted in 2015.
Kiwis team to play Kangaroos
1. Kalyn PONGA*
2. Jamayne ISAAKO
3. Dane GAGAI
4. Casey MCLEAN
5. Ronaldo MULITALO
6. Kodi NIKORIMA
7. Jahrome HUGHES
8. James FISHER-HARRIS (C)
9. Jeremy MARSHALL-KING
10. Moses LEOTA
11. Isaiah PAPALI’I
12. Briton NIKORA
13. Joseph TAPINE (VC)
14. Te Maire MARTIN
15. Naufahu WHYTE
16. Erin CLARK
17. Xavier WILLISON
18. Charnze NICOLL-KLOKSTAD
19. Keano KINI
20. Scott SORENSEN
21. Leo THOMPSON
22. Jacob LABAN*
* Denotes debut
