There are no guarantees Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will earn a recall to the Kiwis for the Four Nations in October, despite his impressive NRL form.

New assistant coach David Kidwell is determined to help the Kiwis reach a new level of consistency that will see them able to beat the Kangaroos on a regular basis.

Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney hopes to have an assistant coach confirmed in days.

Injured New South Wales Blues hooker Robbie Farah is on course to return earlier than expected and to play in the league State Of Origin series opener.

The Kiwis proved on Friday night they can play well when there are no expectations on them - the next step will be to learn how to perform when the winning post is in sight.

Stephen Kearney's side, who were expected to be on the end of a hiding, gave Australia a scare before the world champions gained the ascendancy.

As the Australian team filed past Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney and into Allianz Stadium for their captains run yesterday, someone helpfully pointed out it was not a bad Aussie team.

Australian five-eighth Johnathan Thurston claims there is too much pride and professionalism in the Kangaroos rugby league side to let complacency get the better of them against an understrength New Zealand tonight.

The Kiwis are sending out mixed messages about who will play five-eighth in Friday night's Anzac test in Sydney.

Players often talk about the journey they take to play for the Kiwis but, in the case of Ben Henry, he really has been on an expedition to face Australia in Friday night's Anzac test.

New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney says he's moved on from rugby-bound Sonny Bill Williams.

Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney has confirmed that Sonny Bill Williams wasn't seen as an option for the Anzac test.

Sonny Bill Williams is to boycott the Anzac league test on Friday week, although the Kiwis say he was never under consideration.

The naming of the Kiwis side for the upcoming Anzac test looms as one of the most important in recent times.

Andrew McFadden's first taste of international coaching is over before it even started, with Kiwis' coach Stephen Kearney confirming he has stepped down.

A former Kiwis rugby league star has been arrested for allegedly assaulting an ex-policewoman who resigned in a scandal.

Given the lack of obvious alternatives, Stephen Kearney was the only choice the NZRL could make for Kiwis coach.

Stephen Kearney admits that next time the Kiwis are selected, they will need to take into account "character as well as talent".

The NZRL has stopped short of blaming the use of prescription drugs and energy drinks for the Kiwis' heavy defeat to Australia in last year's World Cup final.