New Zealand's squad: Gerard Beale, Adam Blair, Jesse Bromwich, Lewis Brown, Greg Eastwood, David Fusitu'a, Tohu Harris, Shaun Johnson, Jordan Kahu, Solomone Kata, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Thomas Leuluai, Issac Luke, Simon Mannering, Te Maire Martin, Manu Ma'u, Jason Nightingale, Kevin Proctor, Jordan Rapana, Joseph Tapine, Jason Taumalolo, Martin Taupau, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.

Likely New Zealand team to intimidate Australia and England:

[iDavid Fusitua

Jordan Rapana, Shaun Kenny-Dowell, Solomone Kata, Jason Nightingale

Thomas Leuluai
Shaun Johnson

Jason Taumololo
Tohu Harris, Manu Ma'u
Jesse Bromwich, Isaac Luke, Adam Blair[/i

[uInterchange[/u: [iJared Wharea-Hargreaves, Joseph Tapine, Martin Tapau, Simon Mannering[/i

I like Rapana, he will be dangerous if he gets the service. Reckon Mannering will be starting 13 as he is skipper. A lot rests on Johnson for the creative spark as we know what the Kiwis can do through the middle.

If Shaun Johnson fires then the Kiwis will win the Four Nations.

A team that can leave the likes of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Greg Eastwood and Kevin Proctor off the starting 17 is incredibly impressive.

Only problem is that they have no cover in the halves if Johnson or Leuluai get injured.

The warm up match against Australia is being played in Perth in a few hours (19 hours?) from now

Warm up game in Perth is next week... Sat 15th October.

It's a tough one because Mannering is probably more effective as a loose than 2nd row, but Taumololo is the best forward (even player) in the world this year. I think Mannering will have to play 2nd row to compensate.

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think you misunderstood me mate, i meant he will be in the starting 13. yes i agree with everything you put i think he will be 2nd row and Taumololo will be loose.

is that NZ vs Australia warm up Billy. not a bad one to have for both teams...meanwhile England get the mighty test of France

I'm just waiting for the inevitable 5 or 6 players to pull out "injured".

Bromwich is staying on as Captain so Mannering may not even get in the team this year, I think there are better backrowers in the Kiwi squad

I just can't imagine England competing with that New Zealand backline, given the strength of the Kiwi pack.

I'm not trying to be a wet blanket, but the Kiwi backline will run rings around their English opponents.