David Skipwith: Kiwis kick off with mixture of youth and experience

Jason Taumalolo’s dynamic late season form for the Cowboys demanded his selection in the Kiwis’ side. Photo / Greg Bowker

The Kiwis may hold the edge in experience but will still be wary of the young and dangerous looking Kangaroos side named for Saturday's Four Nations clash in Brisbane.

Both teams have introduced new talent, with the Kiwis initially naming 19-year-old Penrith flyer Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Cowboys 21-year-old loose forward Jason Taumalolo, and the Kangaroos unearthing five debutants, in the wake of the injury-enforced and code-switching unavailability of several big names.

However, Watene-Zelezinak's withdrawal yesterday after suffering a foot injury during a beach training session has given Gerard Beale a chance. Josh Hoffman comes into the wider squad, after initially being unlucky to miss out on selection.

Manu Vatuvei's experience and power would assist the Kiwis in their go-forward and give fullback Peta Hiku some leadership support in just his second test, however Cronulla's Sosaia Feki could be thrown in to make his first start in the black jersey.

The centre pairing of Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Dean Whare needs to gel quickly to contain the new combination of speedsters Michael Jennings and Jarryd Hayne's replacement, Dylan Walker.

However, the Rabbitohs' young gun is untested at this level and with Daniel Tupou and Josh Mansour also making debuts on either wing, the Kangaroos could be vulnerable out wide.

Fullback Greg Inglis will have the Kiwis working over-time in defence but a long kicking game to the Australians' right-corner and a quick chasing line would help limit the effectiveness of his lethal right-hand fend.

The Kiwis halves, Shaun Johnson and Kieran Foran, lose nothing against Cooper Cronk and Daly Cherry-Evans but the latter duo need only for their forwards to achieve parity for their playmaking skills to have effect.

In the pack, Taumalolo's dynamic late season form demanded his selection and he has the ability to bust the line and provide go-forward to complement the efforts of props Jesse Bromwich and Adam Blair.

Greg Eastwood offers some versatility off the bench with his ability to play directly or use his footwork and passing game on the edges, while Martin Taupau and Tohu Harris will keep them rolling forward.

By comparison, the Australian back-row has a grafting look about it, with Newcastle's Beau Scott, and 2015 Warriors signing Ryan Hoffman sure to get through plenty of work. Greg Bird brings ball-playing ability to the loose-forward role.

How effectively they perform will come down largely to debutant prop Adam Woods and fellow front-rower Sam Thaiday's ability to dominate the ruck, but with wily captain Cameron Smith directing play, the Aussies will employ creative methods to combat the expected Kiwis onslaught.

Bench players Aidan Guerra, Josh Papali'i and Corey Parker bring enthusiasm, punch and relentless qualities, but it's difficult to see how Robbie Farah will get a run barring injury to Smith or either of the Kangaroos' halves.

The Kiwis will rely on dominating their opponents physically and hope quick play-the-balls can bring their forwards' offloading skills and the attacking potency of their halves into play.

Lessons learned from the second half of the Anzac test need to be heeded. The Kiwis must focus on ball control and earning repeat sets as the match wears on as the Kangaroos will back themselves to close the game out late no matter what predicament they find themselves in.