2014 Four Nations: Australia v New Zealand preview

New-look Australia take on New Zealand in a Trans-Tasman Test at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on Saturday as the Four Nations tournament gets into full swing.

The Kangaroos, the World Cup and Four Nations holders, have been weakened by the loss of NRL superstars and mainstays Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater and Brett Morris among others, while Jarryd Hayne has withdrawn to have a crack at the NFL. 

We have a high proportion of State of Origin representatives and premiership winners and they all deserve to wear the jumper.

Australia coach Tim Sheens

That has left coach Tim Sheens with a largely experimental team to take on the Kiwis and England in the month-long series, which also includes newcomers Samoa, who overcame Fiji in a regional qualifier.

Sheens can still call on team regulars Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk and skipper Cameron Smith, but he has supplemented them with 11 international debutants for the green and gold to face up to the challenge of New Zealand and England.

"We have a really good blend of experience and youth," Sheens said.

"The positive for me is the experience that even the debutants have. We have a high proportion of State of Origin representatives and Premiership winners and they all deserve to wear the jumper."

The Kangaroos lost the 2010 Four Nations to New Zealand 16-12, while the Kiwis also dethroned them in the 2008 World Cup final, but Australia have long monopolised the silverware in international rugby league.

Top players

Kiwi coach Stephen Kearney has more of his top players available for the tournament and has reunited Manly's Kieran Foran and Shaun Johnson of the Warriors as scrum-halves, with veteran utility Thomas Leuluai starting at hooker.

Kearney can also call on the NRL experience of Jason Nightingale, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Jesse Bromwich, Adam Blair, skipper Simon Mannering and Kevin Proctor.   

"I feel like this group has a good balance about it and we've certainly trained very well leading into the tournament, so you can feel the combinations starting to come together," Kearney said.

In 127 meetings between these two great rivals Australia lead the win-loss record 95-29 with three draws. However. the Kangaroos have won their past eight since the final of the 2010 Four Nations.

Australia: Greg Inglis, Josh Mansour, Dylan Walker, Michael Jennings, Daniel Tupou, Daly Cherry-Evans, Cooper Cronk, Aaron Woods, Cameron Smith, Sam Thaiday, Beau Scott, Ryan Hoffman, Greg Bird.
Interchange: Robbie Farah, Aidan Guerra, Josh Papalii, Corey Parker.

New Zealand: Peta Hiku, Jason Nightingale, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Dean Whare, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Kieran Foran, Shaun Johnson, Jesse Bromwich, Thomas Leuluai, Adam Blair, Simon Mannering (capt), Kevin Proctor, Jason Taumalolo.
Interchange: Lewis Brown, Greg Eastwood, Martin Taupau, Tohu Harris, Suaia Matagi.