This time last year the Kiwis ended their Anzac Test drought with their first success in the fixture since 1998.
More than that the impressive 26-12 victory over a full-strength Australian side was their third straight against their rivals after back-to-back wins in the 2014 Four Nations.
Tonight at Hunter Stadium in Newcastle they seek a fourth consecutive win over Australia, a feat not achieved since 1952-53.
In justifying the Four Nations losses in Brisbane and Wellington in 2014, Australian observers made much of the number of first-choice players the Kangaroos were missing. The same excuse couldn’t be used for the 2015 Anzac Test when they had their big names but found themselves 6-26 down at halftime.
This time the Kiwis have been challenged to bring together their best combination.
For one reason or another they have only two players from the backline used at Suncorp Stadium last year (Jason Nightingale and Shaun Johnson) and seven of the forwards (Jesse Bromwich, Tohu Harris, Kevin Proctor, Greg Eastwood, Jason Taumalolo, Martin Taupau and Sam Moa).
Missing when this year’s team was originally named were Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Manu Vatuvei, Kieran Foran, Issac Luke, Simon Mannering and Thomas Leuluai while Peta Hiku and Shaun Kenny-Dowall were ruled out this week. Also forced out after being named in the squad initially this week was Brisbane second rower Alex Glenn.
Other contenders not available included Tuimoala Lolohea, Dean Whare and Sio Siua Taukeiaho.
While Kiwi coach Stephen Kearney has had greater depth to pick from despite losing so much prime talent there’s no question the New Zealanders are at huge odds to win tonight.
Every victory over the Kangaroos is an upset of some sort – some more than others. This will certainly be one of the latter against an Australian combination oozing quality and experience.
2016 KIWIS | ANZAC TEST
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)
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: 34 (2006-2015)
Test Points: 8 (2 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: 17 (2012-2015)
Test Points: 8 (2 tries)
LEWIS BROWN
(Manly Sea Eagles)
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), Penrith Panthers (2013-2015)
Kiwi Number: 762
Test Debut: v Australia, Robina, 2011
Tests: 10 (2011-2015)
Test Points: 4 (1 try)
GREG EASTWOOD
(Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Born: March 10, 1987
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Position: Prop/Second Row/Loose Forward
Height: 184cm
Weight: 112kg
Junior Club: Manurewa Marlins (Auckland)
Other Clubs: Brisbane Broncos (2005-2008), Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (2009), Leeds Rhinos (2010)
Kiwi Number: 737
Test Debut: v Australia, Brisbane, 2007
Tests: 24 (2007-2015)
Test Points: 12 (3 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: 10 (2013-2015)
Test Points: 8 (2 tries)
SHAUN JOHNSON
(Vodafone Warriors)
Born: September 9, 1990
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Position: Halfback
Height: 179cm
Weight: 89kg
Junior Club: Hibiscus Coast Raiders (Auckland)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 774
Test Debut: v Australia, Auckland, 2012
Tests: 14 (2012-2015)
Test Points: 128 (7 tries, 51 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: 3 (2015)
Test Points: 7 (try, goal, field goal)
MANU MA’U
(Parramatta Eels)
Born: August 24, 1988
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Position: Second Row
Height: 184cm
Weight: 103kg
Junior Clubs: Richmond Rovers, Marist Saints
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: Yet to make debut for NZ
Kiwi Test Debut: Yet to make debut for NZ
Tests: 2 for Tonga (2014)
Test Points: 0
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: 8 for Kiwis (2013-2015), 5 Tests for Mate Ma’a Tonga (2008 & 2013)
Test Points: 8 (2 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: 28 (2008-2015)
Test Points: 68 (17 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: 3 (2015)
Test Points: 0
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: 11 (2012-2015)
Test Points: 4 (1 try)
BRAD TAKAIRANGI
(Parramatta Eels)
Born: 14, 1989
Birthplace: Sydney, Australia
Position: Centre/Second Row
Height: 194cm
Weight: 108kg
Junior Club: Cronulla, Caringbah
Other NRL Clubs: Sydney Roosters (2010-2012), Gold Coast Titans (2013-2014)
Kiwi Number: Yet to make debut for NZ
Kiwi Test Debut: Yet to make debut for NZ
Tests: 5 for Cook Islands (2009-2013)
Test Points: 10 (1 try, 3 goals)
JASON TAUMALOLO
(North Queensland Cowboys)
Born: May 30, 1993
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Position: Second Row
Height: 191cm
Weight: 112kg
Junior Clubs: Otahuhu Leopards (Auckland), Papakura Sea Eagles (Auckland), Kirwan Bears (Townsville), Townsville Brothers (Townsville)
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: 786
Kiwi Test Debut: v Australia, Brisbane, 2014
Tests: 4 for New Zealand (2014), 3 for Mate Ma’a Tonga (2013)
Test Points: 0 for New Zealand, 4 for Mate Ma’a Tonga (1 try)
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: 9 Tests for Kiwis (2014-2015), 1 Test for Toa Samoa (2013)
Test Points: 0
DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK
(Penrith Panthers)
Born: August 17, 1995
Birthplace: Hamilton, NZ
Position: Wing
Height: 186cm
Weight: 97kg
Junior Clubs: College Old Boys, St Clair Cornets
Other NRL Clubs: Nil
Kiwi Number: Yet to make debut for NZ
Kiwi Test Debut: Yet to make debut for NZ
Tests: 0
Test Points: 0
