Coach Stephen Kearney has retained the same line-up as the Kiwis bid for their place in New Zealand rugby league history in the third Test against England at DW Stadium in Wigan on Saturday (2.00am Sunday kick-off NZT).
With the series level after their grinding 9-2 win in London, the 2015 tourists have the chance to stand alongside the 1971 and 1998 sides as the only official New Zealand teams to win a Test series in England in more than 100 years.
The ground-breaking 1971 side, coached by Lory Blanchard and captained by Roy Christian, came back from early deficits in each of the first two Tests to win 18-13 and 17-14 to claim history. In 1998 the Frank Endacott-coached, Quentin Pongia-captained side won the first two Tests 22-16 and 36-16 but missed out on a clean sweep when the third Test was drawn.
Three times the Kiwis have had a drawn 1-1 series in 1980, 1985 and 2002. Playing as Great Britain until 2007, the home side has won nine series against the Kiwis in the United Kingdom.
Since the advent of the Tri Nations and then the Four Nations, traditional series have become a rare event in international rugby league with the 2007 campaign in England the last time the Kiwis have been involved in an old-fashioned series.
Kiwi coach Stephen Kearney today predictably named an unchanged line-up for Saturday’s series decider in Wigan with Brisbane’s Kodi Nikorima listed at halfback this time after originally being included on an extended bench for the second Test.
THIRD TEST
ENGLAND v NZ KIWIS
2.00pm, Saturday, November 14
DW Stadium, Wigan
Referee: Ben Thaler (England)
NZ KIWIS
1 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK
2 JASON NIGHTINGALE
3 JORDAN KAHU
4 DEAN WHARE
5 SHAUN KENNY-DOWALL
6 PETA HIKU
7 KODI NIKORIMA
8 JESSE BROMWICH
9 ISSAC LUKE (co-captain)
10 SAM MOA
11 KEVIN PROCTOR
12 TOHU HARRIS
13 ADAM BLAIR (co-captain)
Interchange:
14 LEWIS BROWN
15 MARTIN TAUPAU
16 BEN MATULINO
17 ALEX GLENN
18 ISAAC LIU
19 GERARD BEALE
HEAD COACH | STEPHEN KEARNEY
MEET THE KIWIS
GERARD BEALE
(Cronulla Sharks)
Born: July 18, 1990
Birthplace: Brisbane, Australia
Position: Fullback/Centre/Wing
Height: 182cm
Weight: 95kg
Junior Club: Logan Brothers (Queensland)
Other NRL Clubs: Brisbane Broncos (2009-2012), St George Illawarra Dragons (2013-2014)
Kiwi Number: 767
Test Debut: v Australia, Newcastle, 2011
Tests: 7 (2011-2014)
Test Points: 12 (3 tries)
NRL Games: 118 (2009-2015)
NRL Points: 128 (32 tries)
ADAM BLAIR
(Brisbane Broncos)
Born: March 20, 1986
Birthplace: Whangarei, NZ
Position: Prop/Second Row/Loose Forward
Height: 188cm
Weight: 108kg
Junior Club: Northland Carvers (Northland)
Other NRL Clubs: Melbourne Storm (2006-2011), Wests Tigers (2012-2014)
Kiwi Number: 732
Test Debut: v Australia, Auckland, 2006
Tests: 33 (2006-2015)
Test Points: 8 (2 tries)
NRL Games: 215 (2006-2015)
NRL Points: 40 (10 tries)
JESSE BROMWICH
(Melbourne Storm)
Born: May 3, 1989
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Position: Prop
Height: 194cm
Weight: 114kg
Junior Club: Manurewa Marlins (Auckland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 775
Test Debut: v Australia, Auckland, 2012
Tests: 16 (2012-2015)
Test Points: 8 (2 tries)
NRL Games: 132 (2010-2015)
NRL Points: 68 (17 tries)
LEWIS BROWN
(Penrith Panthers)
Born: October 3, 1986
Birthplace: Christchurch, NZ
Position: Second Row/Centre
Height: 179cm
Weight: 98kg
Junior Club: Riccarton Knights (Christchurch)
Other NRL Clubs: Vodafone Warriors (2009-2012)
Kiwi Number: 762
Test Debut: v Australia, Robina, 2011
Tests: 9 (2011-2015)
Test Points: 4 (1 try)
NRL Games: 150 (2009-2015)
NRL Points: 116 (29 tries)
MANAIA CHERRINGTON
(Wests Tigers)
Born: August 2, 1994
Birthplace: Whangarei, NZ
Position: Hooker
Height: 180cm
Weight: 84kg
Junior Club: Quakers Hill (New South Wales)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: Yet to make debut
Test Debut: Yet to make debut
Tests: 0
Test Points: 0
NRL Games: 11 (2015)
NRL Points: 4 (1 try)
ALEX GLENN
(Brisbane Broncos)
Born: July 31, 1988
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Position: Utility
Height: 181cm
Weight: 101kg
Junior Club: Northcote Tigers (Auckland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 769
Test Debut: v Australia, Newcastle, 2011
Tests: 11 (2011-2015)
Test Points: 0
NRL Games: 168 (2009-2015)
NRL Points: 164 (41 tries)
TOHU HARRIS
(Melbourne Storm)
Born: January 7, 1992
Birthplace: Hastings, NZ
Position: Second Row/Prop
Height: 195cm
Weight: 112kg
Junior Club: Tamatea rugby union (Hawke’s Bay)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 778
Test Debut: v Australia, Canberra, 2013
Tests: 9 (2013-2015)
Test Points: 8 (2 tries)
NRL Games: 76 (2013-2015)
NRL Points: 38 (7 tries, 5 goals)
PETA HIKU
(Manly Sea Eagles)
Born: December 4, 1992
Birthplace: Gisborne, NZ
Position: Fullback/Wing
Height: 181cm
Weight: 94kg
Junior Club: Manurewa Marlins (Auckland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 781
Test Debut: v Australia, Sydney, 2014
Tests: 8 (2014-2015)
Test Points: 0
NRL Games: 60 (2013-2015)
NRL Points: 118 (28 tries, 3 goals)
JORDAN KAHU
(Brisbane Broncos)
Born: January 28, 1991
Birthplace: Lower Hutt, NZ
Position: Centre/Wing/Fullback
Height: 183cm
Weight: 94kg
Junior Club: Petone rugby union (Wellington)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 788
Test Debut: v England, Hull, 2015
Tests: 2 (2015)
Test Points: 3 (goal, field goal)
NRL Games: 35 (2013-2015)
NRL Points: 108 (16 tries, 22 goals)
SHAUN KENNY-DOWALL
(Sydney Roosters)
Born: January 23, 1988
Birthplace: Brisbane, Australia
Position: Centre/Wing
Height: 194cm
Weight: 102kg
Junior Club: East Coast Barracudas (Auckland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 746
Test Debut: v France, Paris, 2007
Tests: 16 (2007-2015)
Test Points: 32 (8 tries)
NRL Games: 196 (2007-2015)
NRL Points: 454 (112 tries, 3 goals)
ISAAC LIU
(Sydney Roosters)
Born: April 26, 1991
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Position: Loose Forward/Prop
Height: 187cm
Weight: 107kg
Junior Clubs: Otahuhu Leopards, Pakuranga Jaguars (Auckland); Keebra Park State High School (Queensland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: Yet to make debut for NZ
Kiwi Test Debut: Yet to make debut for NZ
Tests: 0 for Kiwis, 5 for Toa Samoa (2014-2015)
Test Points: 0
NRL Games: 64 (2013-2015)
NRL Points: 12 (3 tries)
TUIMOALA LOLOHEA
(Vodafone Warriors)
Born: January 23, 1995
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Position: Utility
Height: 177cm
Weight: 89kg
Junior Club: Marist Saints (Auckland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 789
Kiwi Test Debut: v England, Hull, 2015
Tests: 1 for Kiwis (2015), 1 for Mate Ma’a Tonga (2015)
Test Points: 0
NRL Games: 26 (2014-2015)
NRL Points: 70 (11 tries, 13 goals)
ISSAC LUKE
(South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Born: May 29, 1987
Birthplace: Hawera, NZ
Position: Hooker
Height: 174cm
Weight: 89kg
Junior Club: Hawera Hawks (Taranaki)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 749
Test Debut: v Australia, Sydney, 2008
Tests: 35 (2008-2015)
Test Points: 56 (4 tries, 20 goals)
NRL Games: 188 (2007-2015)
NRL Points: 410 (36 tries, 133 goals)
BEN MATULINO
(Vodafone Warriors)
Born: January 3, 1989
Birthplace: Lower Hutt, NZ
Position: Prop
Height: 193cm
Weight: 107kg
Junior Club: Te Aroha Eels (Wellington)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 756
Test Debut: v France, Toulouse, 2009
Tests: 22 (2009-2015)
Test Points: 4 (1 try)
NRL Games: 173 (2008-2015)
NRL Points: 60 (15 tries)
SAM MOA
(Sydney Roosters)
Born: June 14, 1986
Birthplace: Tonga
Position: Prop
Height: 183cm
Weight: 105kg
Junior Club: Mangere East Hawks (Auckland)
Other Clubs: Cronulla Sharks (2008), Hull FC (2009-2012)
Kiwi Number: 780
Kiwi Test Debut: v Toa Samoa, Warrington, 2013
Tests: 7 for Kiwis (2013-2015), 5 Tests for Mate Ma’a Tonga (2008 & 2013)
Test Points: 8 (2 tries)
NRL Games: 73 (2008 & 2013-2015)
NRL Points: 36 (9 tries)
JASON NIGHTINGALE
(St George Illawarra Dragons)
Born: September 20, 1986
Birthplace: Sydney, Australia
Position: Wing
Height: 183cm
Weight: 91kg
Junior Club: Renown United (New South Wales)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 747
Test Debut: v Australia, Sydney, 2008
Tests: 27 (2008-2015)
Test Points: 64 (16 tries)
NRL Games: 197 (2007-2015)
NRL Points: 344 (86 tries)
KODI NIKORIMA
(Brisbane Broncos)
Born: April 3, 1994
Birthplace: Palmerston North, NZ
Position: Halfback/Standoff/Hooker
Height: 174cm
Weight: 85kg
Junior Club: Aspley Devils (Queensland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 790
Test Debut: v England, Hull, 2015
Tests: 2 (2015)
Test Points: 0
NRL Games: 20 (2015)
NRL Points: 4 (1 try)
KEVIN PROCTOR
(Melbourne Storm)
Born: February 28, 1989
Birthplace: Te Kuiti, NZ
Position: Second Row
Height: 189cm
Weight: 105kg
Junior Club: Tugun Seahawks (Queensland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 771
Test Debut: v Australia, Townsville, 2012
Tests: 10 (2012-2015)
Test Points: 4 (1 try)
NRL Games: 155 (2008-2015)
NRL Points: 88 (22 tries)
CURTIS RONA
(Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Born: May 26, 1992
Birthplace: Waitara, NZ
Position: Wing/Centre
Height: 194cm
Weight: 102kg
Junior Club: Joondalup Giants (Western Australia)
Other NRL Clubs: North Queensland Cowboys (2014)
Kiwi Number: Yet to make debut
Test Debut: Yet to make debut
Tests: 0
Test Points: 0
NRL Games: 32 (2014-2015)
NRL Points: 92 (23 tries)
SIO SIUA TAUKEIAHO
(Sydney Roosters)
Born: January 3, 1992
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Position: Second Row/Centre/Loose Forward
Height: 184cm
Weight: 101kg
Junior Club: Otara Scorpions (Auckland)
Other NRL Clubs: Vodafone Warriors (2013)
Kiwi Number: 791
Kiwi Test Debut: v England, Hull, 2015
Tests: 1 for Kiwis (2015), 1 for Mate Ma’a Tonga (2015)
Test Points: 0
NRL Games: 28 (2013 & 2015)
NRL Points: 8 (2 tries)
MARTIN TAUPAU
(Wests Tigers)
Born: February 3, 1990
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Position: Prop
Height: 190cm
Weight: 112kg
Junior Clubs: Padstow Panthers, Greenacre Tigers (New South Wales)
Other NRL Clubs: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (2010-2013)
Kiwi Number: 785
Kiwi Test Debut: v Australia, Sydney, 2014
Tests: 8 Tests for Kiwis (2014-2015), 1 Test for Toa Samoa (2013)
Test Points: 0
NRL Games: 66 (2010-2015)
NRL Points: 32 (8 tries)
ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK
(Sydney Roosters)
Born: June 5, 1993
Birthplace: Apia, Samoa
Position: Fullback
Height: 182cm
Weight: 93kg
Junior Club: Otahuhu Leopards (Auckland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 779
Test Debut: v Toa Samoa, Warrington, 2013
Tests: 10 (2013-2015)
Test Points: 32 (8 tries)
NRL Games: 84 (2012-2015)
NRL Points: 112 (28 tries)
DEAN WHARE
(Penrith Panthers)
Born: January 22, 1990
Birthplace: Rotorua, NZ
Position: Centre
Height: 185cm
Weight: 96kg
Junior Club: Arncliffe Scots (New South Wales)
Other NRL Clubs: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (2010-2012)
Kiwi Number: 776
Test Debut: v Australia, Townsville, 2012
Tests: 14 (2012-2015)
Test Points: 12 (3 tries)
NRL Games: 88 games (2010-2015)
NRL Points: 128 (32 tries)
