Cronulla utility back Gerard Beale has been called into the NZ Kiwis starting line-up for Friday’s Downer Trans-Tasman Test against Australia in Newcastle, replacing fullback Peta Hiku.
Beale (Kiwi #767) has played seven tests for New Zealand in 2011 & 2014, and last took the field for his country in the 2014 Four Nations opener against Australia at Brisbane.
He was called into the Kiwis camp on Monday morning, after Brisbane second row Alex Glenn injured a calf for his Broncos club the night before and had to withdraw from the initial 18-man squad.
But when Hiku was also ruled out with a knee injury, Beale moved into the centres and Brisbane utility Jordan Kahu shifted to fullback.
The Kiwis have further concerns over the fitness of Sydney Roosters centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall, who sported a moon foot at the team’s recovery training session on Monday. He will be given some time to prove his readiness, with Parramatta’s Brad Takairangi and Melbourne forward Kenny Bromwich arriving to cover further casualties in the test build-up.
Other features of the Kiwis line-up include the use of Melbourne second row Tohu Harris in the halves and debuts for Penrith wing Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Parramatta forward Manu Ma’u.
NZ Kiwis
- Jordan Kahu
- Jason Nightingale
- Shaun Kenny-Dowall
- Gerard Beale
- Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
- Tohu Harris
- Shaun Johnson
- Jesse Bromwich
- Lewis Brown
- Adam Blair
- Kevin Proctor
- Manu Ma’u
- Jason Taumalolo
- Kodi Nikorima
- Greg Eastwood
- Martin Taupau
- Sam Moa
- Brad Takairangi
- Kenny Bromwich
NZ Kiwi Ferns
- Sarina Fiso
- Lanulangi Veaimu
- Maitua Feterika
- Va’anessa Molia-Fraser
- Atawhai Tupaea
- Georgia Hale
- Kristina Sue
- Lilietta Maumau
- Krystal Rota
- Kelly Maipi
- Teuila Fotu-Moala
- Annetta Nuuausala
- Nora Maaka
- Amber Kani
- Kahurangi Peters
- Krystal Murrray
- Charmaine McMenamin
- Mary-Jane Ale
