Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney has added experience to his interchange for their crucial Four Nations league encounter with England at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday.
Utility Thomas Leuluai and forward Greg Eastwood will come back into the playing line-up after sitting out last week's 14-12 nailbiter over Samoa. Theywill replace Lewis Brown, who fills the 18th man spot, and Suaia Matagi.
Apart from those tweaks, Kearney has remained loyal to the side that toppled world champions Australia in the tournament's opening round. Since then, Manu Vatuvei has assumed a place on the wing and Issac Luke has returned from suspension to the starting hooker's role.
New Zealand lead the competition with two wins, but a loss to England and an Australian victory over Samoa next weekend would see a three-way tie for the two spots in the Wellington final on November 15.
The finalists would then be determined by a points-difference countback.
Kiwis team: Peta Hiku Jason Nightingale Shaun Kenny-Dowall Dean Whare Manu Vatuvei Kieran Foran Shaun Johnson Jesse Bromwich Issac Luke Adam Blair Simon Mannering Kevin Proctor Jason Taumalolo Interchange: Thomas Leuluai, Greg Eastwood, Martin Taupau, Tohu Harris, Lewis Brown
