Kiwis in camp in tropical Cairns

The Kiwis are having their first full day together preparing for Saturday’s one-off Test against the Kangaroos at Dairy Farmers Stadium in Townsville (9.30pm kick-off; coverage SKY Sport 2 from 9.00pm).

They’re basing themselves in tropical Cairns for the start of their build-up before moving to Townsville on Wednesday.

The 19-man squad and staff assembled yesterday flying in from Auckland, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

The Kiwis were given a traditional welcome to the city with a local group delivering a performance outside the team’s hotel merging Maori, Cook Island, Tongan and Samoan dance elements. The challenge laid down in the performance was greatly appreciated by the players and also by a large gathering of tourists, who weren't quite sure what was happening but were relieved that Frank Pritchard and Sam Kasiano weren't agitated by proceedings.

The first afternoon in camp included medicals, a pool recovery session to help get over the flights, team meetings and dinner at the hotel.

The team is having an open training run at Stan Williams Park in Cairns today (the session started at 9.45am local time; 12.45pm NZ time) with the official team photo being shot later tonight.

There’ll be further open training sessions at Stan Williams Park tomorrow and Wednesday (both starting at 9.00am local time; 12.00pm NZ time) before the team flies to Townsville later in the afternoon.