Kangaroos v Kiwis preview

Australia Kangaroos v New Zealand Kiwis
Suncorp Stadium - Friday 7:45pm

Can the Kiwis break their drought in mid-season tests?

Having gone down twice to New Zealand in last season's Four Nations, Australia will be hoping a more experienced squad will prove the difference against the Kiwis. With Billy Slater out through injury, Greg Inglis will play at fullback allowing Michael Jennings to join the rookie backline comprising of debutants Alex Johnston, Will Chambers and Josh Dugan. The only other debutant in the squad is Dragons forward Trent Merrin who will look to make an impact off the bench. In light of the forward dominance exhibited by New Zealand in the previous clashes, coach Tim Sheens has elected to use his interchange with four forwards, opting to go with Luke Lewis' versatility, rather than the utility value of 18th man Daly Cherry-Evans.

In previous mid-season tests, the Kiwis have traditionally been lambs to the slaughter for Australian teams, but in recent seasons they have stood up. While Stephen Kearney has proven his ability to lead New Zealand to tournament wins, the biggest challenge for the Kiwis remains winning one-off matches. Opting for an experienced line up, there will be no debutants for the Kiwis after Penrith winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak accepted a one match suspension, ruling him out of international selection for the second time in his six months. In his place, the experience of Jason Nightingale, Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Manu Vatuvei will be complemented by the excitement generated by youngsters Roger Tuivasa-Scheck and Peta Hiku. New Zealand will be looking to capitalise on a strong platform created by a massive forward pack including bench props Martin Taupau and Sam Moa, both players that starred for the Kiwis last season.

Last meeting: Rugby League Test 2014 2014 - Australia Kangaroos 30 New Zealand Kiwis 18

Who to watch: For a player with so much experience, it is surprising to think Michael Jennings has only played six tests for Australia. Scoring a hat-trick against France on debut in 2009, Jennings will be hoping to use his call up as the springboard to locking down a permanent centre position following the representative retirement of Justin Hodges. Averaging a try per test, Jennings will be hoping to show off his blinding pace in order to get the Kangaoos over the line.

Making his debut in the corresponding fixture last year, bench forward Martin Taupau has gone from strength to strength since his elevation to the New Zealand side. Earning a spot in the Wests Tigers starting line up, Taupau will be hoping a strong showing off the bench will earn the former Bulldog a place in the Kiwis side for years to come. While he is still underrated by some, his efforts in last year's final were monumental, making a number of blockbusting runs which coach Stephen Kearney will be hoping Taupau can replicate if the Kiwis are to win mid-year for the first time since 1998.

The favourite: Despite going down in the past two meetings, Australia will go in to the match as favourites.

My tip: Having defied expectations in last year's 30-18 loss in Sydney, the Kiwis have their best chance in years to claim a mid-year win, but the Kangaroos will once again prove too strong in front of a home crowd. Australia by 12.

1. Greg Inglis 2. Alex Johnston 3. Michael Jennings 4. Will Chambers 5. Josh Dugan 6. Johnathan Thurston 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Matthew Scott 9. Cameron Smith 10. Aaron Woods 11. Greg Bird 12. Sam Thaiday 13. Corey Parker
Interchange: 14. Luke Lewis 15. Trent Merrin 16. Nate Myles 17. James Tamou 18. Daly Cherry-Evans 19. Josh Papalii

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
Interchange: 14. Thomas Leuluai 15. Martin Taupau 16. Sam Moa 17. Greg Eastwood 18. Lewis Brown

Referees: Gerard Sutton; Sideline Officials: Nick Beashel, Anthony Elliott; Video Referees: Bernard Sutton, Henry Perenara;

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