St George Illawarra Dragons winger Jason Nightingale has been selected for the New Zealand Kiwis opening tour match against Leeds Rhinos on Friday night (UK Time).
Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney has named 20 players and both sides will run extended 19-man rotations for the game, which will double as a hit-out for the Kiwis ahead of their three-test series against England.
Kearney has gone for a new pairing of Lolohea and utility Peta Hiku in the halves with Shaun Johnson missing the series through injury and Benji Marshall left out of the squad.
“This will be an opportunity for those two halves to build combinations with the group around them,” says Kearney.
“We also have guys that haven’t played since the last round of the NRL, so this is a chance for them to blow out some cobwebs.”
The Leeds Rhinos have taken out the League Leaders Shield, Challenge Cup and Super League Trophy this season, and will present a tough proposition for the visitors, even with three of their stars on duty with the England squad.
“This will be perfect preparation for us,” says Kearney. “Leeds will be honouring some pretty special players and they’re expecting a full house.”
The NZ Kiwis line-up for their game against Leeds Rhinos, scheduled for 8pm Friday (UK Time) is:
- Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
- Jason Nightigale
- Jordan Kahu
- Dean Whare
- Shaun Kenny-Dowall
- Peta Hiku
- Tuimoala Lolohea
- Jesse Bromwich
- Isaac Luke
- Ben Matulino
- Kevin Proctor
- Tohu Harris
- Martin Taupau
- Kodi Nikorima
- Adam Blair
- Sam Moa
- Sio Siua Taukeiaho
- Alex Glenn
- Gerard Beale
- Lewis Brown
