League: Kiwis team named

2.10pm - UPDATE

Warrior Vinnie Anderson was today a surprise inclusion at five-eighth for the Kiwi rugby league team to play Australia in the Tri-Nations opener in Auckland on October 16.

Anderson, who made his test debut a year ago against the Kangaroos, has usually played at centre or in the forwards for the Warriors.

Coach Daniel Anderson said the fact that Anderson would wear the No 6 jersey was not necessarily an indication of where he would be on the field.

Winger Matt Utai has also been named, but his involvement depends on when he has scheduled ankle surgery. Utai scored two tries in the Bulldogs' National Rugby league (NRL) grand final victory last Sunday.

Warriors Brent Webb and Louis Anderson will make their test debuts at fullback and hooker respectively.

Bulldog Roy Asotasi, another newcomer, has been selected on the bench.

Bradford skipper Robbie Paul, who would have been a certainty for selection, was unavailable because of the Bulls' participation in the English Super League grand final on the same weekend as the test.

Also not considered was the NRL's form prop of the season, Paul Rauhihi, because of injury.

However, Rauhihi has been named among five players to train on.

The test squad will begin assembling in Auckland on Friday, and have a match against Auckland on Saturday.

The 24-strong tour party for Britain, where the rest of the Tri-Nations will be played over the following six weeks, will be named the day after the North Harbour test.

Team: Brent Webb, Francis Meli, Nigel Vagana, Paul Whatuira, Matt Utai, Vinnie Anderson, Thomas Leuluai, Jason Cayless, Louis Anderson, Ruben Wiki (captain), Tony Puletua, Joe Galuvao, Sonny Bill Williams.

Interchange: Motu Tony, Roy Asotasi, Nathan Cayless, David Kidwell.

Train-on players: Paul Rauhihi, Jamaal Lolesi, Clinton Toopi, Dene Halatau, Wairangi Koopu.

- NZPA