KEY POINTS:
Most of the Kiwis side who failed to negotiate the first obstacle of their Tri-Nations title defence have been entrusted with keeping their fading prospects alive against Great Britain.
Coach Brian McClennan yesterday named a 17-man squad practically a mirror image of the line-up who began the campaign
full of expectation against Australia on October 14.
Since that 18-30 loss the squad's faith has been tested by another agonising loss to the Kangaroos, the stripping of two competition points for fielding Nathan Fien and the realisation that their stunning series success of 12 months ago is becoming a distant memory.
The Kiwis' road to redemption leads to Westpac Stadium on Saturday - and although it may ultimately prove a short and unfulfilling journey - McClennan believes they have prepared as best they can.
Injuries have cleared up, allowing Shontayne Hape (knee), Steve Matai and Dene Halatau (shoulder) to regain starting spots while the impressive form of David Fa'alogo has seen him promoted from the bench for his first start.
The injection of versatile English-based back Hape and South Sydney second rower Fa'alogo are the only changes to the Kiwis side who started against Australia in Auckland.
Tame Tupou and Tony Puletua are the casualties, although Brisbane wing Tupou was only serving as cover until Hape's Super League commitments ended with Bradford while Penrith's Puletua left the squad on compassionate grounds after the loss to Australia in Melbourne on October 21.
McClennan's interchange features just one change from the opening game, with Warriors utility Jerome Ropati making way for Motu Tony, another late arrival following the Super League grand final.
Clearly ignoring the coaching edict of never changing a winning team, McClennan has made six changes to the side who beat the Lions 18-14 in Christchurch on October 28, only to lose the competition points five days later after Queenslander Fien was ruled ineligible.
Halatau replaces Fien at hooker - a role he will share with Tony.
McClennan said Fa'alogo's start at lock was just reward for impressive contributions off the bench. His ability to break the line and offload also counted in his favour as the Kiwis consider how to erase a crippling minus 28 points differential with the Lions.
Fa'alogo made his debut in the Anzac test in Brisbane in May, missed the cut in Auckland but caught the eye with a positive impact in Melbourne and Christchurch.
"He has good workrate, he's aggressive in the tackle, he's been getting his body through the line and he's got terrific footwork," McClennan said.
"That's what you need, it helps you get a faster play the ball, helps your momentum in the sets."
While not spelling it out, McClennan has prefaced an up-tempo style through some of his selections, notably the inclusion of barnstorming prop Adam Blair for Jason Cayless on the bench and the return of Nigel Vagana to the halves.
McClennan pinpointed veteran Vagana's ability to break to line as a key ingredient to the Kiwis' gameplan while his defensive capabilities were also of importance.
"We need points, there's no doubt about that and we also need to be tight in our defence," he said.
"There's no point getting loose and scoring lots of tries, then letting a few in."
He was impressed with Halatau's comeback against a Residents 13 last Saturday.* The Kangaroos will not appeal the one-match ban and A$5000 ($5840) fine handed down to back rower Willie Mason by the Tri-Nations judiciary panel.
The decision means Mason will miss Australia's last preliminary game against Great Britain in Brisbane on November 18, but is free to play the final on November 25.
Mason was charged with striking Great Britain prop Stuart Fielden in Australia's 23-12 loss last Saturday. Australia have already qualified for the final.
NEW ZEALAND
Brent Webb
S. Hape
Iosia Soliola
Steve Matai
Manu Vatuvei
Nigel Vagana
Stacey Jones
Ruben Wiki (c)
Dene Halatau
Roy Asotasi
David Kidwell
Simon Mannering
David Fa'alogo
Interchange: Motu Tony, Nathan Cayless, Adam Blair, Frank Pritchard
* Kiwis v Great Britain, Wellington, Saturday 8pm
- NZPA