KEY POINTS:
Lance Hohaia is at fullback for the World Cup trial run against Tonga at Mt Smart this weekend and Nathan Fien returns to the hooking role he played prior to queries being raised about his eligibility.
Coach Stephen Kearney yesterday named a strong side and one that will
be close to that selected for the tournament opener against Australia on October 26.
Steve Matai goes in at centre after being cleared to play despite the shoulder surgery he has been carrying for some time. There is a six-man bench, with Melbourne's Sika Manu the only possible newcomer to internationals.
Warrior Sam Rapira is rewarded for a good season by selection as the starting prop to replace the injured regulars Roy Asotasi and Jeff Lima.
It is a strong side with both youth and experience.
The Tongans meanwhile are still considering legal action against the Rugby League International Federation to try to secure the services of Parramatta prop Fuifui Moimoi and Wests Tigers wing Taniela Tuiaki, who have been refused permission to switch allegiance after playing for the Kiwis in 2007.
Kearney has made it clear they are not in his plans.
Players eligible for more than one country can elect to swap between Cups but cannot change again until after the tournament.
The Aussies have lost Broncos centre Justin Hodges who has been ruled out with a shoulder problem. The Dragons test centre Matt Cooper needs groin surgery and will not play.
The Aussies have said they will not press Penrith centre Michael Jennings, who has elected to play for Tonga, into service in the same way they did Anthony Tupou.
Tupou also chose to represent the Pacific Island after originally missing selection for the Kangaroos, but was called back to cover injury withdrawals.
Brisbane fullback Karmichael Hunt is the likely replacement for Hodges.
Meanwhile Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart wrote in his column in Sydney's Daily Telegraph that their test debutants Anthony Laffranchi, Joel Monaghan, David Williams, Terry Campese, Glenn Stewart, Josh Perry and Anthony Watmough were chosen ahead of old hands for a reason.
"They will help eradicate my greatest World Cup fear, complacency," Stuart wrote. "Complacency in rugby league is for the lazy and the weak ... "
Organisers yesterday announced a World Cup prize pool of A$2 million ($2.25 million). The top side gets A$650,000, with $525,000 to the runners-up and the rest to be distributed on a sliding scale.
Mt Smart Stadium, 2.30 pm Saturday
KIWIS
Lance Hohaia
Sam Perrett
Steve Matai
Jerome Ropati
Manu Vatuvei
Benji Marshall
Thomas Leuluai
Nathan Cayless (c)
Nathan Fien
Sam Rapira
Simon Mannering
Setaimata Sa
Jeremy Smith
Interchange
Issac Luke
Sika Manu
Greg Eastwood
Adam Blair
David Fa'alogo
Krisnan Inu