Kiwis v Kangaroos: Stacey Jones names five debutants for Pacific Championships opener

Will Warbrick of the Storm will become a triple New Zealand international. Photo / Getty Images

Five players have been selected to make their test debuts for the Kiwis in their upcoming Pacific Championships clash against the Kangaroos.

Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch will on Sunday see Gold Coast fullback Keano Kini, Melbourne winger William Warbrick, Newcastle hooker Phoenix Crossland, Brisbane second rower Jordan Riki, and Sydney Roosters forward Naufahu Whyte donning the New Zealand jersey for the first time at test level.

While Crossland is in a New Zealand camp for the first time, Kini and Whyte were non-playing members of the Kiwis’ title-winning Pacific Championships squad last year, Riki was in New Zealand’s mid-year test squad in 2022 and Warbrick played for the Kiwis A team against Tonga A last season.

Warbrick becomes a triple international after impressing with 32 tries in 49 matches in his first two seasons in the NRL. The 26-year-old was first a New Zealand representative in Australian Rules football, before becoming a rugby union international with the All Blacks Sevens, claiming a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Christchurch-raised Riki, named on the bench for his debut, is one of five players with South Island connections.

Shaun Johnson’s sensational return to the international arena sees him don the No 7 jersey and pair up with former Warriors teammate Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad in the halves.

Stacey Jones is also making his debut as the team’s head coach.

The match against the Kangaroos is the second leg of a transtasman Labour Day weekend doubleheader, with the Kiwi Ferns set to face the Australian Jillaroos in the first match.

The Kiwis will also take on Tonga after their clash with Australia.

Kiwis team to face Australia

1. Keano Kini * (Titans), 2. Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins), 3. Matt Timoko (Raiders), 4. Peta Hiku (Hull Kingston Rovers), 5. Will Warbrick*(Storm), 6. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Warriors), 7. Shaun Johnson (Warriors), 8. James Fisher-Harris (Panthers, c) 9. Phoenix Crossland* (Knights), 10. Griffin Neame (Cowboys), 11. Isaiah Papali’i (Tigers), 12. Scott Sorensen (Panthers), 13. Joseph Tapine (Raiders).

Interchange: 14. Kodi Nikorima (Dolphins), 15. Naufahu Whyte* (Roosters), 16. Marata Niukore (Warriors), 17. Jordan Riki* (Broncos). 18th man: Erin Clark* (Titans).

* Denotes new cap.