Watene-Zelezniak named to captain Kiwis At a glance
Young fullback Dallin WateneZelezniak will captain the Kiwis against the Kangaroos on Saturday.
The 23-year-old Penrith Panthers player was yesterday named in the starting team for New Zealand’s match against Australia at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland.
Watene-Zelezniak’s greatgrandfather, Steve Watene, was the first Maori captain of the Kiwis in the 1930s.
He said he was humbled to have been selected by coach Michael Maguire.
‘‘I was really humbled when Madge [Maguire] offered me the chance to captain my country. It’s a huge honour, especially following in my great grandfather’s steps.’’
His first test as captain will be the eighth of his career after making his debut against the Kangaroos in Newcastle in 2016.
‘‘Dallin lives the values we’re looking for and embodies the new direction we’re heading in with the Kiwis,’’ Maguire said.
The listed 17 includes two debutants in NRL grand finalwinning Sydney Roosters centre Joseph Manu and Melbourne’s Brandon Smith at hooker.
Another of the squad’s new faces is Melbourne utility back Jahrome Hughes, who is named in jersey No 19.
The Kiwis’ starting pack includes four players who appeared in the grand final with another two also in the 17, Manu in the centres and Kenny Bromwich, reunited in a Kiwi test side with his elder brother Jesse, on the interchange.
In all 10 players who lined up in Denver against England are again selected. Peta Hiku is included on the extended bench in No 18 after being used in the centres against England.
Back in the Kiwis after missing the trip to Denver are winger Jordan Rapana, playmaker Kiwis team to play Australia: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (c), Ken Maumalo, Esan Marsters, Joseph Manu, Jordan Rapana, Shaun Johnson, Kodi Nikorima, Jesse Bromwich, Brandon Smith, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Kevin Proctor, Isaac Liu, James FisherHarris. Interchange: Kenny Bromwich, Leeson Ah Mau, Martin Taupau, Adam Blair, Peta Hiku, Jahrome Hughes.
Shaun Johnson in the No 6 jersey, front rower Jesse Bromwich, second rower Kevin Proctor and Adam Blair on the bench. Blair was originally set to make the trip to the United States in June but was then suspended.