Cronulla utility back Gerard Beale has been called in to replace injured Peta Hiku in the Kiwi line-up for Friday’s Downer Trans-Tasman Test against the Kangaroos at Hunter Stadium in Newcastle.
Beale (Kiwi #767) has played seven tests for New Zealand in 2011 and 2014, and last took the field for his country in the 2014 Four Nations opener against Australia at Suncorp Stadium,
He was called into the Kiwi camp on Monday morning after Brisbane second rower Alex Glenn picked up a calf injury playing for the Broncos against Cronulla on Sunday.
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 boot 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 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.
Also named today in the line-up the Kiwi Ferns will use in their international against the Jillaroos.
ANZAC TEST
Kiwis v Australia Kangaroos
9.50pm (NZT), Friday, May 6
Hunter Stadium, Newcastle
1 Jordan Kahu
2 Jason Nightingale
3 Shaun Kenny-Dowall
4 Gerard Beale
5 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
6 Tohu Harris
7 Shaun Johnson
8 Jesse Bromwich (c)
9 Lewis Brown
10 Adam Blair
11 Kevin Proctor
12 Manu Ma’u
13 Jason Taumalolo
14 Kodi Nikorima
15 Greg Eastwood
16 Martin Taupau
17 Sam Moa
18 Brad Takairangi
20 Kenny Bromwich
WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL
Kiwi Ferns v Jillaroos
7.25pm (NZT), Friday, May 6
Hunter Stadium, Newcastle
1 Sarina Fiso
2 Lanulangi Veaimu
3 Maitua Feterika
4 Va’anessa Molia-Fraser
5 Atawhai Tupaea
6 Georgia Hale
7 Kristina Sue
8 Lilietta Maumau
9 Krystal Rota
10 Kelly Maipi
11 Teuila Fotu-Moala
12 Annetta Nuuausala
13 Nora Maaka
14 Amber Kani
15 Kahurangi Peters
16 Krystal Murrray
17 Charmaine McMenamin
18 Mary-Jane Ale
