WELLINGTON - Three players will make their international rugby league debuts for New Zealand after being named in the side to face Australia in Townsville on Saturday.
Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney has handed first starts to Bulldogs prop Sam Kasiano, Sea Eagles centre Dean Whare and Storm second-rower Kevin Proctor after naming the 17 to tackle the Kangaroos.
The 133kg Kasiano was the subject of a tug-of-war between Queensland and New Zealand before opting to play for the country of his birth.
Wests Tigers forward Adam Blair starts on the bench with Penrith's Sam McKendry missing the cut.