Kearney’s Kiwis’ ‘incredible odds’

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NEW Zealand coach Stephen Kearney called upon his team of misfits and rookies to embrace the "Anzac spirit" as they enter a trans-Tasman Test match against world champions Australia facing "incredible odds".

Such is the dire nature of Friday's contest and the injury toll for the Kiwis that Kearney's biggest win happened at the Australian selection table when Brisbane's Matt Gillett was overlooked for a Test debut and instead named only as 18th man.

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"Let me put it this way, I'm glad he is 18th man and not in the 17 the way he has been playing," Kearney said.

"He has had a wonderful month of footy.

The Warriors' Siliva Havili is a shock call-up to the Kiwis' squad. Source: Getty Images

"It still looks a pretty good side for me." Kearney refused to name how many players he had to overlook due to injury, adding that it would take him half an hour to compile a list that includes superstars such as Kieran Foran, Sonny Bill Williams, Issac Luke, Josh Hoffman, Elijah Taylor, Kevin Locke and Manu Vatuvei.

Just six players from the side that lost the World Cup final were named in the 18-man squad, with prop Jared Waerean-Hargreaves the shock sacking and six rookies named including some of the biggest Test bolters seen in years.

A shoulder complaint denied North Queensland wrecking ball Jason Taumalolo a chance for his Test debut while an injury crisis through his halves has forced Kearney to pluck Penrith's Isaac John from the NSW Cup to play five-eighth.

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"We're

John has played just three NRL games this year and been stuck in reserve grade for the past month, but it says a lot about this Kiwi team that he is still not the biggest bolter in the 18-man squad.

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That honour goes to 21-year-old Warriors hooker Siliva Havili who has played just three NRL games in his entire career and yet to tally a full 80 minutes of combined game time in first grade.

So exposed is this Kiwi outfit that Kearney tipped Warriors utility Ben Henry to play hooker in his debut and mooted Roosters winger Roger Tuivasa Scheck as a possible five-eighth solution.

Essentially the Kiwis will do what they can with the personnel they've got to be competitive at Allianz Stadium.

Sydney Roosters' Roger Tuivasa-Sheck dhas retained his place in the New Zealand squad. Source: News Corp Australia

"I know we will find someone who is really willing and will give the team a lot of spirit whoever wears that No.6 jersey," Kearney said.

"For us it's an opportunity through injury to give these young guys we've had in our Junior Kiwis program some opportunity to play.

"I guess it's a bit of an Anzac story, a group of young men come together with an opportunity to represent their country on Friday night.

"For me this epitomises what the Anzac spirit is about. We are facing the incredible odds.

"I'm confident the lads will attack it with that energy and spirit. "If we do that collectively I'm sure we will certainly challenge and that is what we aim to do.

"I'm sure they will do us proud."

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Kiwis squad: Gerard Beale, (St George-Illawarra Dragons), Adam Blair (Wests Tigers), Jesse Bromwich (Melbourne Storm), Kenny Bronwich (Melbourne Storm), Greg Eastwood (Canterbury Bulldogs), Tohu Harris (Melbourne Storm), Siliva Havili (NZ Warriors), Ben Henry (NZ Warriors), Peta Hiku (Manly Sea Eagles), Isaac John (Penrith Panthers), Shaun Johnson (NZ Warriors), Simon Mannering (NZ Warriors), Sam Moa (Sydney Roosters), Jason Nightingale (St George-Illawarra Dragons), Kevin Proctor (Melbourne Storm), Martin Taupau (Wests Tigers), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Sydney Roosters), Dean Whare (Penrith Panthers)

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