KEY POINTS:
Back rower Epalahame Lauaki will join his older brother Sione, an All Black, as a test footballer when he makes his debut for the Kiwis in the first test against Great Britain in Huddersfield on Sunday.
Lauaki, 23, is one of two Kiwis debutants named last night for
the test. The other is Sydney Roosters fullback Sam Perrett.
Lauaki was selected for the Kiwis last year, playing only in their non-test match against the New Zealand Residents in Greymouth.
Last weekend he appeared for the All Golds against Northern Union in a match marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of international league.
Kiwis coach Gary Kemble has named Lauaki on a bench which also includes his New Zealand Warriors teammates Sam Rapira and Warrington-bound Louis Anderson, plus Brisbane utility Greg Eastwood.
Perrett replaces the injured fullback Krisnan Inu in a backline showing some other changes as well.
Coming in on the wing for Luke Covell - who was injured in the opening minutes of his debut in the 58-0 loss to Australia in Wellington on October 14 - is giant Bradford Bulls winger Tame Tupou. The 1.96m Tupou, formerly with the Brisbane Broncos, joined the Kiwis as a replacement after turning out for the All Golds. He played three tests for the Kiwis last year.
Paul Whatuira remains in the centres as he eyes his 13th test at a ground that will be home for him next year when he takes up his contract with the Huddersfield Giants.
His partner in the midfield will be Bradford's Shontayne Hape, who was used off the bench in Wellington.
Kemble has named a new halves combination featuring two players making a return. Warriors utility Lance Hohaia will start at standoff after making the last of his seven test appearances at hooker against Australia in the first match of the 2005 Tri-Nations, and Wigan's Thomas Leuluai is at halfback after last appearing in the 2006 Anzac test against Australia. He teamed up with Stacey Jones for the All Golds last weekend.
The Kiwis will start with the same forwards used in Wellington.
"We have spent a lot of time discussing the halves," Kemble said. "With the World Cup coming up next year, we have to look at our options at halfback and standoff.
"It was never going to be easy once Stacey [Jones] finished up but we have faith in Thomas and Lance providing a better combination for this test."
Kemble said performances for the All Golds had also played a significant part in the selections.
Perrett, Tupou, Leuluai, Eastwood, Anderson and Lauaki had all been chosen for the first of three tests against Great Britain on the back of their efforts against Northern Union.
Kiwis
Sam Perrett, Tame Tupou, Shontayne Hape, Paul Whatuira, Taniela Tuiaki, Lance Hohaia, Thomas Leuluai, Roy Asotasi (captain), Dene Halatau, Fuifui Moimoi, Simon Mannering, Frank Pritchard, Jeremy Smith.
Interchange: Greg Eastwood, Louis Anderson, Sam Rapira, Epalahame Lauaki.