League: Fitness of key players a worry for Kiwis

Kieran Foran. Photo by Getty
Kieran Foran. Photo by Getty
The Kiwis are sweating on the fitness and availability of key players before confirming the make-up of their squad for Friday's Anzac league test at Suncorp Stadium.

Coach Stephen Kearney's initial 18-man squad completed a light training run in Brisbane yesterday but he and the Kiwis selectors will finalise their match day line-up later today.

However, teenage winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak's debut is in doubt after he received a grade one dangerous throw charge yesterday for a tackle on Cronulla's Wade Graham in Sunday's NRL match at Penrith.

An early guilty plea would still see Watene-Zelezniak serve a one-match suspension, due to a past offence loading, meaning he will need to successfully contest the charge at tomorrow's judiciary hearing.

Five-eighth Kieran Foran and utility Lewis Brown are also both managing respective hamstring and rib injuries, and while Brown was confident both will be right to play, he expected to be chosen as 18th man.

"Kieran seemed to be running pretty well and the rib has pulled up real good," Brown said.

"We had a good walk through and obviously there were a lot of games played over the weekend so the boys are still recovering from that and getting their bodies right.

"I got through the game well and pulled up this morning a little bit sore but I was expecting a bit more so it's pleasing as well.

"I didn't get a call until late after the Penrith game yesterday. I'll see what happens. I haven't been told but I'm gathering that I'll be 18th man."

Thomas Leuluai remains Foran's likely replacement if required but additional halves cover could yet be called in to join the squad in the form of a 19th man.

That could leave the door ajar for Broncos utility Kodi Nikorima or Warriors fullback Tuimoala Lolohea to step in, with both players capable of covering numerous positions.

Brown said the Kiwis would rely heavily on existing combinations from last year's Four Nations while the onus would be on getting their mental approach right over the next four days.

"We are lucky enough to have probably the same group of boys that were here at the end of last year for the Four Nations so everyone knew the plays and it ran quite smoothly.

"We came into camp and we've bonded very quickly. We're at the same hotel we were at before the first round robin game of the Four Nations so it's good to come in and have that familiar feeling.

"You can get on to the playing side of stuff as opposed to having to worry about bonding too much.

"We probably won't do too much training. It will be more about getting ourselves mentally right."

While the team's structures and basic game plan are well established Brown said the Kiwis need to take their play up a notch to build upon last year's success. "Obviously that worked for us in the Four Nations but the Australians have named a very strong side and they'll be looking to get one back on us.

"We've got to take it up a level and build on where we left off last year."

- By David Skipwith of the New Zealand Herald

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