Nightingale set to start for Kiwis

Jason Nightingale. Photo / Wayne Drought.

Kiwis winger Jason Nightingale looks set to start the Anzac test on Friday night.

Nightingale came through today's captain run's with no apparent problems is likely to take his place in the line-up for tomorrow's match.

The St George winger had been under an injury cloud over the past few days and was unable to take part in any team training due to a foot injury.

But he ran freely on Thursday, allaying concerns about another disruption to the Kiwis back line.

Nightingale was a late replacement for Dallin Watene-Zelzniak, after the Penrith youngster was scratched through suspension.

It's welcome news for the Kiwis side. Nightingale was the top try scorer in the Four Nations last year and there are no obvious replacements in the current squad. He's a steadying influence on the young back division and knows his role well.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand side were unable to stage their captain's run at the match venue on Thursday, with Suncorp Stadium off limits to protect the turf. Frequent showers have hit the Queensland capital since Wednesday night, with heavy downpours predicted for Friday evening.

Instead the Kiwis trained at Brisbane Norths, the club that was once the home to Mark Graham, Graham Lowe in the early 1980s.

The Kiwis looked sharp in their final run, going through various back line drills and some close quarter skills work.