Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney, right, with captain Simon Mannering. Photo / Getty Images
Kiwis captain Simon Mannering will play at lock in Friday night's Anzac test against Australia in Canberra following the likely suspension of Jeremy Smith.
Smith faces four to six weeks on the sidelines after being slapped with a grade three dangerous-contact charge by the NRL match review committee after Penrith
forward Matt Robinson was stretchered from the field in a neck brace. Melbourne's Tohu Harris was called in as a replacement for Smith and has been named as 18th man.
It means Mannering, normally a second-rower or centre, will play at lock, with Frank Pritchard and Kevin Proctor playing in the second row.
Mannering is familiar with the position, having played there in last October's test against Australia in Townsville, and coach Stephen Kearney is mindful of having his captain in the middle of the park in the absence of Smith and Benji Marshall (toe injury). Sonny Bill Williams is also unavailable because of a knee injury.
Elijah Taylor will provide dummy-half cover off the bench _ a role similar to the ones the utility performed in last year's Townsville test and also for the Warriors at the start of the season _ but there will be hopes Issac Luke can play close to a full game.
Roosters wing Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been left out of the 18 for the Kiwis, who haven't won the Anzac test since 1998.
