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Kiwis name four debutants for World Cup opener against Samoa

October 24, 2017

The NZ team are spending the next few days getting to know each other at Turangawaewae Marae.

Kiwis coach David Kidwell has named the team for his side's opening encounter of this year's Rugby League World Cup against Samoa at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday.

Having lost a number of star players to international defections and injuries, Kidwell's side has a fresh look to it, with debuts for centre Brad Takairangi, hooker Danny Levi, and props Isaac Liu and Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

In the halves, Kodi Nikorima is preferred over Te Maire Martin to partner Shaun Johnson, while Thomas Leuluai starts at hooker.

On the interchange bench, the trio of Levi, Liu and Asofa-Solomona will all make their first appearances for New Zealand, after breakthrough seasons in the NRL.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
Kiwis training ahead of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. Tuesday 24 October 2017 © Copyright Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.Photosport.nz

The Kiwis v Samoa kicks off at 8.10pm.

Kiwis:  1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Gerard Beale, 4. Brad Takairangi, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. Martin Taupau, 9. Thomas Leuluai, 10. Adam Blair (c), 11. Kenny Bromwich, 12. Joseph Tapine, 13. Simon Mannering.

Interchange: 14. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 15. Russell Packer, 16. Isaac Liu 17. Danny Levi.

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