League: Kiwis stick with Nikorima

Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney has kept faith with the same 17 for the series deciding test in Wigan on Saturday. Photo / Getty Images.

Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney has kept faith with the same 17 for the series deciding test in Wigan on Saturday.

Utility Kodi Nikorima, who was a late change at half in last week's playing line-up and took the field in number 19, will run on in number seven this week.

The only other change sees Gerard Beale replace Tui Lolohea in the extended 19-man squad.

That may indicate a question mark over one of the outside backs - Jason Nightingale, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Jordan Kahu and Dean Whare.

Beale, who has started all of his seven tests at wing or centre for the Kiwis, would be seen as a better replacement than Lolohea for one of that quartet if they can't take the field.

However, they have all trained this week, though Kahu has been carrying a groin niggle on tour.

But otherwise Kearney was never going to make any changes to the team that showed some commitment in London to level the series.

"These lads got the job done last week and it was a good performance from them," says Kearney, who has now won more tests (23) than any other Kiwis coach before him. "I didn't feel there was a need to change the team."

With victory last week, Kearney (23-16-1) moved past Frank Endacott (22-11-2) for the most victories by a Kiwis coach.

The full squad for Saturday's test (Sunday NZT) is:

1-Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
2-Jason Nightingale
3-Jordan Kahu
4-Dean Whare
5-Shaun Kenny-Dowall
6-Peta Hiku
7-Kodi Nikorima
8-Jesse Bromwich
9-Issac Luke
10-Sam Moa
11-Kevin Proctor
12-Tohu Harris
13-Adam Blair
14-Lewis Brown
15-Martin Taupau
16-Ben Matulino
17-Alex Glenn
18-Isaac Liu
19-Gerard Beale

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