Kiwis

The future has arrived for the Kiwis as they attempt to win their first Anzac test since 1998.

Prop Sam McKendry was back in camp with his Kiwi team-mates today less than 12 hours after having surgery following multiple fractures to his jaw sustained  in yesterday's Four Nations clash with Wales at Wembley Stadium.

Kiwis prop Sam McKendry will miss the rest of the Four Nations after severely breaking his jaw in today's 36-0 shutout of Wales at Wembley Stadium in London.

Adam Blair's return from suspension, a debut for Elijah Taylor and Nathan Fien's recall are the features of the Kiwis' line-up for their Four Nations clash against Wales at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

Prop Russell Packer has pleaded guilty to a striking offence and will miss the Kiwis' opening Four Nations match against Australia in Warrington next weekend.

Australian coach Tim Sheens is already fearing a Four Nations ambush despite watching his side dismantle New Zealand 42-6 in Sunday's one-off rugby league test in Newcastle.

They're the current World Cup and Four Nations rugby league champions, but New Zealand insist they aren't favourites ahead of this year's end-of-season tournament.

Winger Bill Tupou has been called into the Kiwis squad as a replacement for fellow Warriors player Krisnan Inu, who withdrew earlier in the week for personal reasons.

Frank-Paul Nuuausala's late-night drinking antics with Todd Carney hardly ingratiated the Sydney Roosters prop to Kiwis selectors, but three other teammates will be hoping to make a better impression as their disastrous National Rugby League (NRL) season winds down.

The Kiwis will play a match against Cook Islands in October as part of preparations for the Four Nations rugby league tournament in the United Kingdom.