Australia v New Zealand preview

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The Kangaroos and Kiwis look to kick off the Test series on the right note with a score of debutants set to impress.

Mal Meninga will field a relatively different side to the one that defeated the Kiwis 16-0 earlier in the year due largely to injury, form and off-field issues. Corey Parker, Paul Gallen, Josh McGuire, Semi Radradra and James Tamou are the omissions for the Kangaroos while Josh Mansour and Aaron Woods are unavailable due to their own respective weddings. While Meninga has retained his first-choice spine, the inclusion of James Maloney, Matt Moylan and Jake Friend indicates possible Test debuts along the track. The fact that these players cannot even get starting spots in the Australia side speaks of the depth Meninga possesses. Valentine Holmes, Tyson Frizell and Shannon Boyd, however, will be handed their test debuts while Trent Merrin has been recalled at lock as a just reward for an impressive season. Yet, as stated, the Kangaroos still possess a side oozing of proven class, with the likes of Jonathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk pairing in the halves, with a combined 48 try assists to their name in 2016.

There have been some changes to the Kiwis' spine, however, with Thomas Leuluai replacing Kodi Nikorima at five-eighth while Isaac Luke returns and takes the spot of Lewis Brown, who reverts to the bench. Unfortunately, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Kieran Foran remain unavailable. Meanwhile, Solomone Kata and Jordan Rapana make their Kiwi debuts. New Kiwi coach David Kidwell, however, still has the pleasure of selecting the barnstorming Jesse Bromwich and recently awarded Dally M Player of the Year Jason Taumalolo. If the New Zealanders need a bit of confidence, their loss back in May was their first loss at the hands of the Kangaroos in their past four clashes.

Last meeting:  Australia downed New Zealand 16-0 in a dour affair at Hunter Stadium in May this year.

Who to watch: The battle up front will be one to watch and may just decide the result of this one. The Kangaroos possess experienced powerhouses in the likes of Merrin and Matthew Scott while Boyd will look to make a big impact in his test debut. With 56 offloads, 46 tackle busts, 5 tries and an average of 155 running metres per game, Merrin in particular enjoyed a stellar season at Penrith and was rewarded with a return to the Test side. 

The Kiwis forward pack, however, is just as intimidating if not more. Taumalolo, quite obviously experienced a career-best season with 82 tackle busts, 6 tries and an average of 165 running metres while Bromwich is joined by fellow Storm teammates Kevin Proctor and Tohu Harris.

The favourite: The Kangaroos have been relatively comfortably backed in to take down the Kiwis on Saturday night.

My tip: The form of both side's forward packs suggest that this one should be reasonably close. In that case, the class of the Kangaroos spine should get them home. Australia by 10.

1. Darius Boyd 2. Blake Ferguson 3. Greg Inglis 4. Josh Dugan 5. Valentine Holmes 6. Johnathan Thurston 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Matthew Scott 9. Cameron Smith 10. Shannon Boyd 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Matt Gillett 13. Trent Merrin
Interchange: 14. David Klemmer 15. Michael Morgan 16. Tyson Frizell 17. Sam Thaiday

1. Jordan Kahu 2. Jason Nightingale 3. Solomone Kata 4. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Thomas Leuluai 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Issac Luke 10. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Tohu Harris 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14. Lewis Brown 15. Martin Taupau 16. Manu Ma'u 17. Adam Blair

Referees: Matt Cecchin; Sideline Officials: Shane Rehm, Jeff Younis; Video Referees: Bernard Sutton, Luke Patten, Steve Chiddy