Kiwis opt to rest Mannering
Coach David Kidwell is rotating his Kiwis squad for Saturday’s Rugby League World Cup clash with Scotland with veterans Simon Mannering and Thomas Leuluai getting a rest.
While Kidwell is adamant the Kiwis won’t take Scotland lightly, he admits it is time to spell some senior foot soldiers and has made seven changes to his 17-man squad.
Te Maire Martin will make his first test start at standoff half for Kodi Nikorima with Kidwell stating the Brisbane Broncos back was ‘‘carrying a bit of an injury - with his buttocks’’.
But most of the other changes were pre-planned as the Kiwis have one eye on their crucial pool play game against Jason Taumalolo’s Tonga and the playoffs beyond.
Mannering and Leuluai have 82 caps between them and, without them, skipper Adam Blair (42 caps) is the only survivor from the Kiwis’ World Cup final victory in 2008.
Kidwell - heading into his first test as Kiwis coach in his Christchurch hometown - named his squad yesterday.
He said he wanted to freshen up his experienced men.
‘‘There’s only one thing you can’t control - your age,’’ he quipped.
‘‘We’ve got an opportunity ... we have guys who are 100 per cent fit and who are younger.
‘‘It was always my plan to give these a guys a go because we didn’t have a trial game. [ The new players] are keen as mustard.
‘‘We need those experienced players as the tournament goes on, it’s a great time to give them a rest and keep them fresh and really get behind the young guys.’’
‘‘A couple of people have pulled up sore, and I want people who are going to be 100 per cent.’’
The veteran pair’s absence will test the Kiwis’ depth and their defensive setup. Mannering is invariably one of the top tacklers - he made 25 last week - while Wigan Warrior Leuluai is one of the chief communicators from dummy half.
Elijah Taylor - a backrower at Wests Tigers - takes over from Leuluai at hooker, with rookie Danny Levi - a debutant last week - still in reserve.
Kidwell said he did not see Taylor as ‘‘a specialist hooker’’, but he had played there before and had all the attributes, while Levi would add his pace from the interchange bench.
Mannering’s second row slot has been taken by Melbourne Storm utility Kenny Bromwich, who missed the 38-8 win over Samoa with a slight groin strain.
He will play alongside Joseph Tapine, who stood out against Samoa with a team-high 35 tackles, with Blair - a prop at the Broncos - remaining at loose forward.
Jason Nightingale, the Kiwis’ most experienced back with 32 caps, will start on one wing with Warriors recruit Peta Hiku on the other flank and Dean Whare at centre for the injured Gerard Beale.
Addin Fonua-Blake, the 21-yearold Australian born Manly Sea Eagles prop, is set to earn his first Kiwis cap coming off the bench.
The Kiwis’ 18-18 draw with Scotland in last November’s Four Nations tournament in England came during Kidwell’s first tour as Kiwis head coach after belatedly taking over from Warriors-bound Stephen Kearney.
He admitted there was some residual hurt from that result, ‘‘especially as the head coach’’ and the Kiwis would ‘‘give Scotland the respect they deserve’’.
But he said the 2017 World Cup Kiwis were ‘‘a different group of players’’.
‘‘We’ve got 24 men who are committed to each other and who belief in this Kiwi jersey.’’