John Ackland will coach the Junior Kiwis against the Junior Kangaroos in Townsville after the late withdrawal of David Kidwell.
Kidwell said he had to pull out of the match at Dairy Farmers Stadium on October 13, the curtain raiser to the Kangaroos v Kiwis test, for personal reasons.
"I've enjoyed my time and seeing the talent coming through and I wish John good luck," he said.
Ackland, an assistant coach at the New Zealand Warriors, has been involved with the Junior Kiwis for the last two seasons as a selector and has worked in that role this year alongside Kidwell, Mark Horo and David Lomax.