Kiwis out to stop the rot
New Zealand will attempt to snap a 14-year winless run when they meet Australia at Skilled Park.
Last Updated: 06/05/11 1:11pm
New Zealand will attempt to snap a 14-year winless run when they meet Australia in Friday's Anzac rugby league Test at Skilled Park.
The Trans-Tasman rivals clash in Queensland for the annual one-off match - which the Kiwis have failed to win on Australian soil since triumphing in Sydney back in 1997.
However, New Zealand proved in the 2008 World Cup and 2010 Four Nations finals they have what it takes to win across the Tasman Sea.
Despite those triumphs, the Kiwis are ranked second to the Kangaroos and go into the match as underdogs.
Challenge
"We've been able to build some consistency in our selections in recent years," said New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney.
"The side has become more settled and we've also been able to develop a little more in terms of experience and our combinations.
"While we're improving in that area, the Australians still lead the way with representative experience and depth. They certainly have an advantage there for a one-off match of this type but our challenge is to try to keep building."
New Zealand's line-up includes 13 of the 17 players involved in last year's shock 16-12 Four Nations final victory.
Parramatta prop Fuifui Moimoi and Manly scrum-half Kieran Foran, who both missed that final with injuries, are back in the team.
Melbourne Storm winger Matthew Duffie will be the only debutant in the Kiwi line-up.
Brisbane Broncos winger Jharal Yow Yeh and Canterbury centre Jamal Idris will both start for Australia.
Yow Yeh, 21, has been named on the wing ahead of Broncos team-mates Justin Hodges and skipper Lockyer, with Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens admitting the club combination and the unavailability of injured St George Illawarra star Darius Boyd played a part in the call-up.
Important
Yow Yeh, after just 41 NRL games, is one of 13 Queenslanders in the 17-man Australian squad. Idris, along with Paul Gallen, Brett Morris and Ben Creagh, are the only New South Welshmen.
Sheens said he would rely heavily on club combinations as he attempts to exact revenge for the shock loss in last year's tournament final.
"In a two or three-day preparation, combinations are very, very important," Sheens said.
"But you've got to look at form too - the players play in teams that are in form also in most positions.
"(Yow Yeh's) been playing well, the Brisbane (outside backs) edge will stay together."
