TEST MATCH PREVIEW: Kangaroos v Kiwis

TEST MATCH PREVIEW

AUSTRALIAN KANGAROOS v NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
International Test Match
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Kick-Off 6:30pm (local) at Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
Referee: Ben Cummins

Last Time They Met
April Test 2012 - Watch game highlights of Australia’s 20-12 victory at Eden Park in April.
Last 10 Games - Kangaroos 7, Kiwis 2, Draw 1.
Australia won all three Test Matches last season and this year’s ANZAC Test, with the last New Zealand victory coming in the 2010 Four Nations Final.

Team News and Late Mail
Simon Mannering, Ben Matulino and Elijah Taylor have all been named in the Kiwi squad for Saturday’s Test.

AUSTRALIAN KANGAROOS
B Slater, D Boyd, G Inglis, J Morris, B Morris, J Thurston, C Cronk, M Scott, C Smith ©, J Tamou, G Bird, P Gallen, N Myles.
Bench: R Farah, R Hoffman, D Shillington, T Williams, B Te’o. Coach: T Sheens.
NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
J Hoffman, S Perrett, K Inu, D Whare, G Beale, B Marshall ©, K Foran, J Bromwich, I Luke, S Kasiano, F Pritchard, K Proctor, S Mannering.
Bench: E Taylor, B Matulino, G Eastwood, A Blair. Coach: S Kearney.

Bottom Line

The Kangaroos take on the Kiwis in a one-off Test this Saturday as preparations for the 2013 World Cup start to heat up. The Kangaroos scored a 20-12 victory in the ANZAC Test in April but there are a number of changes to both sides, ensuring it will be an interesting battle in Townsville.

The Morris twins enter the fray after a great finish to the season, while injures have forced a number of changes to the Australian forward pack, including the return of Titans’ pair Greg Bird and Nate Myles. Robbie Farah takes Daly Cherry-Evans’ place on the bench, while Ben Te’o has been named as 18th man.

For the Kiwis, the uncapped Sam Kasiano and Dean Whare have been included in their squad, while Kieran Foran returns after missing the ANZAC Test with injury.

An impressive Test debut at Eden Park will gave Shaun Johnson plenty of confidence but Kieran Foran's return sees him act as 19th man.

Ben Matulino will form a monster unit up-front with Kasiano and Jesse Bromwich, and will want to continue his impressive NRL form.

In the back-row Elijah Taylor’s versatility saw him grab a spot on the bench, while Simon Mannering will start at lock after playing in the centres in April.

Although this technically is a one-off Test, there is plenty on the line, including national pride and momentum going into a World Cup year.

The Australians will want to keep their 100% record in Townsville alive, but the Kiwis are known to strike in the post-season and with a rejuvenated squad can’t be underestimated.

How do you see the Test Match playing out this Saturday? Comment below.