Despite having played just seven NRL matches, Nikorima is seen as a test player of the future and was brought into the squad on Tuesday night to get a taste of the Kiwis structures and team culture.
However, with concerns remaining over five-eighth Kieran Foran's hamstring, the versatile 21-year-old provides additional cover for the halves as well as hooker and fullback, and could be called on if required.
After naming an initial 18-man squad on Sunday, coach Stephen Kearney yesterday unveiled the Kiwis' match day line-up, with right wing Jason Nightingale replacing the suspended Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
Melbourne forward Tohu Harris was named to start in the second-row alongside Storm teammate Kevin Proctor, with captain Simon Mannering shifting to cover the absence of injured lock Jason Taumalolo.
Canterbury's Greg Eastwood was initially chosen to play in the No13 jumper but was yesterday included on the bench.
If there was a problem with Foran and Thomas Leuluai was required to start at five-eighth, Lewis Brown - who was named as 18th man - could fill the utility role off the bench, offering back-up for hooker, back-row, and centre.
Kiwis: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2. Jason Nightingale, 3. Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 4. Peta Hiku, 5. Manu Vatuvei, 6. Kieran Foran, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Issac Luke, 10. Ben Matulino, 11. Tohu Harris, 12. Kevin Proctor, 13. Simon Mannering (c). Interchange: 14. Thomas Leuluai, 15. Martin Taupau, 16. Sam Moa, 17. Greg Eastwood, 18. Lewis Brown.
- By David Skipwith of the New Zealand Herald
