Rapana to debut for Kiwis

New head coach David Kidwell has selected his first NZ Kiwis team, including seven changes from side that faced Australia in the Downer Trans-Tasman Test in May.

The starting line-up includes two players making their debuts for New Zealand, Solomone Kata and Jordan Rapana.

Joseph Tapine has been named on an extended bench but is not expected to debut.

Seventeen-test veteran Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Kiwi #755) makes his return to the international arena, last wearing the black-and-white jersey at the 2013 World Cup.

Re-joining him in the front row is the most-capped player in the side, Issac Luke (Kiwi #749), playing his 37th test match.

Jesse Bromwich (Kiwi #775) captains the team, supported by two other Melbourne Storm players who featured in the NRL Grand Final, Kevin Proctor (Kiwi #771) and Tohu Harris (Kiwi #778).

The 2016 joint Dally M medallist and RLPA Player of the Year Jason Taumalolo (Kiwi #786) starts at loose forward.

Adding experience in the spine is Thomas Leuluai (Kiwi #704), who first played for the Kiwis back in 2003. He will pair up with his NZ Warriors team-mate Shaun Johnson (Kiwi #774) in the halves.

NZ Kiwis v Australian Kangaroos
8pm, Saturday, October 15