Australia v NZ: Teams

Australia will hand debuts to four players when they take on New Zealand in a dress rehearsal for next week's Four Nations final.

Sydney Roosters stand-off Todd Carney, the newly-crowned international player of the year, takes the place of captain Darren Lockyer, who is rested.

Chris Lawrence, Matt Scott and Dean Young are also blooded for the first time, while Darius Boyd steps in for full-back Billy Slater and hooker Cameron Smith takes over as skipper.

North Queensland prop Scott comes into the starting side with veteran Petero Civoniceva dropping to the bench while Wests Tigers centre Lawrence replaces Willie Tonga and Dragons hooker Young gets a place in the bench.

Australia coach Tim Sheens insisted the selections were merit-based and not because the Eden Park match is a dead rubber.

"Boyd and Carney have actually been in better form this season and in training I was very impressed with how they performed," said Sheens.

New Zealand have recalled forwards Adam Blair, Frank Pritchard and Ben Matulino for their Four Nations contest with Australia in Auckland on Saturday.

The trio were rested for the Kiwis' 76-12 thrashing of Papua New Guinea in Rotorua last Saturday.

However, Pritchard and Matulino will have to come off the five-man bench as Blair replaces Sam McKendry in the only change to the starting line-up for what is a dress rehearsal for the final of the competition.

"As it has been throughout this campaign, it was a really difficult side to select," New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney said.

"If anything, it has got harder every week with all players pushing for spots.

"It's obviously disappointing for those who miss out but our commitment is to pick the side we believe is the best suited to perform for us against Australia this week."

Australia: Darius Boyd; Brett Morris, Brent Tate, Chris Lawrence, Lote Tuqiri; Todd Carney, Cooper Cronk; Matt Scott, Cameron Smith (capt), Dave Shillington, Greg Bird, Sam Thaiday, Paul Gallen.

Interchange: Dean Young, Petero Civoniceva, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Robbie Farah, Kurt Gidley.

New Zealand: Lance Hohaia, Jason Nightingale, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Junior Sa'u, Sam Perrett, Benji Marshall (captain), Nathan Fien, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Thomas Leuluai, Adam Blair, Sika Manu, Simon Mannering, Jeremy Smith.

Interchange: Issac Luke, Greg Eastwood, Frank Pritchard, Ben Matulino, Bronson Harrison.