Four newcomers including Vodafone Warrior Tuimoala Lolohea have been named to make their Kiwi debuts in the national team’s tour warm-up game against the Leeds Rhinos at Headingley on Saturday morning (8.00pm NZT).
Jordan Kahu will line up in the centres and Tuimoala Lolohea at halfback with Kodi Nikorima and Sio Siua Taukeiaho set to come off the bench against the triple crown-winning Rhinos.
Kiwi coach Stephen Kearney has named 20 players and both sides will run extended 19-man rotations for the game, which will double as a hit-out for the Kiwis ahead of their three-test series against England and a celebration for the Leeds Rhinos, after their tremendously successful domestic campaign.
Kearney has gone for a new pairing of Lolohea and utility Peta Hiku in the halves.
“This will be an opportunity for those two halves to build combinations with the group around them,” said Kearney.
“We also have guys that haven’t played since the last round of the NRL, so this is a chance for them to blow out some cobwebs.”
The Leeds Rhinos have taken out the League Leaders’ Shield, the Challenge Cup and the Super League Trophy this season and will present a tough proposition for the visitors, even with three of their stars on duty with the England squad.
This game will also mark the final appearances for the Leeds Rhinos for stalwarts Jamie Peacock, Kevin Sinfield and Kylie Leuluai, who have also brought former Rhinos Ali Lauitiiti and Adrian Morley back to the club for the occasion.
“This will be perfect preparation for us,” says Kearney. “Leeds will be honouring some pretty special players and they’re expecting a full house.
KIWIS v LEEDS RHINOS
8.00pm, Friday, October 23
Headingley, Leeds
KIWIS
1 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK
2 JASON NIGHTINGALE
3 JORDAN KAHU
4 DEAN WHARE
5 SHAUN KENNY-DOWALL
6 PETA HIKU
7 TUIMOALA LOLOHEA
8 JESSE BROMWICH
9 ISAAC LUKE (CO-CAPTAIN)
10 BEN MATULINO
11 KEVIN PROCTOR
12 TOHU HARRIS
13 MARTIN TAUPAU
Interchange:
14 KODI NIKORIMA
15 ADAM BLAIR (CO-CAPTAIN)
16 SAM MOA
17 SIO SIUA TAUKEIAHO
18 ALEX GLENN
19 GERARD BEALE
20 LEWIS BROWN
