Sunday 30 April 2017 14:08, UK
New Zealand coach David Kidwell has recalled experienced trio Simon Mannering, Kieran Foran and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck for Friday's ANZAC Test against Australia in Canberra.
Mannering, a former Kiwis captain, and New Zealand Warriors team-mate Tuivasa-Sheck missed the 2016 Four Nations Series in England because of injury while Foran was unavailable.
"First of all, all three of them bring a lot of Mana to our group and that's hugely important," Kidwell said.
"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 has also handed a recall to St George Illawarra prop Russell Packer, whose last Test appearance was in 2011. and included two uncapped players in Melbourne duo Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
"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."
New Zealand squad: N Asofa-Solomona (Melbourne), A Blair (Brisbane), J Bromwich (Melbourne, capt), K Bromwich (Melbourne), K Foran (NZ Warriors), D Fusitu'a (NZ Warriors), S Johnson (NZ Warriors), J Kahu (Brisbane), I Luke (NZ Warriors), S Mannering (NZ Warriors), K Nikorima (Brisbane), R Packer (St George Illawarra), K Proctor (Gold Coast), J Rapana (Canberra), B Smith (Melbourne), J Taumalolo (North Queensland), M Taupau (Manly), R Tuivasa-Sheck (NZ Warriors), D Watene-Zelezniak (Penrith), D Whare (Penrith)
