Kiwis announce team for centenary test

Three debutants have been named by New Zealand selectors to take on the Kangaroos in Friday night's Centenary Test at the SCG in Sydney, while veteran backrower David Kidwell and Lance Hohaia have missed the cut.

Boom South Sydney hooker Issac Luke, Dragons winger Jason Nightingale and Roosters utility Setaimata Sa will be pulling on the Kiwi jersey for the first time to headline a team conspicuously devoid of Warriors players.

Just one of Ivan Cleary's New Zealand Warriors was selected in coach Stephen Kearney's 17-man squad, that being unheralded back-rower Simon Mannering.

Sydney Roosters players litter the backline (Sa, Iosia Soliola and Sam Perrett) while three of the battling Rabbitohs have been named in the starting forward pack (Roy Asotasi (c), Issac Luke and David Fa'alogo).

The New Zealand Team

1. Brent Webb
2. Jason Nightingale
3. Setaimata Sa
4. Iosia Soliola
5. Sam Perrett
6. Ben Roberts
7. Thomas Leuluai
8. Roy Asotasi (c)
9. Issac Luke
10. Nathan Cayless
11. Sonny Bill Williams
12. Simon Mannering
13. David Fa'alogo

14. Jeremy Smith
15. Dene Halatau
16. Adam Blair
17. Frank Pritchard