Tuesday 29 October 2019 15:09, UK
Star half-back Shaun Johnson has been left out of New Zealand's team for the first Test against Great Britain on Saturday.
The Cronulla Sharks playmaker was dropped by the Kiwis in the wake of last Friday's 26-4 defeat to Australia, with Kieran Foran being brought back in from the international wilderness.
Foran is in line for his first appearance in a New Zealand shirt for two years and is set to start alongside veteran Benji Marshall, who captains the side for the clash with the Lions in Auckland.
Gildart ruled out of rest of GB tour
Kiwis head coach Michael Maguire has made several other changes to his side from the loss to the Kangaroos as well. Joseph Tapine is recalled after serving a one-game suspension and Zane Tetevano starts in the front row.
Meanwhile, Adam Blair is set to reach 50 Test appearances from the interchange bench. He will become just the ninth rugby league player in history to hit the milestone and just the second New Zealander.
It follows James Graham chalking up his Test half-century during Great Britain's 14-6 defeat to Tonga last Saturday.
New Zealand: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Ken Maumalo, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Joseph Manu, Jamayne Isaako, Kieran Foran, Benji Marshall, Zane Tetevano, Brandon Smith, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Briton Nikora, Kenny Bromwich, Joseph Tapine
Interchange (from): Jahrome Hughes, Corey Harawira-Naera, Leeson Ah Mau, Adam Blair, Kevin Procter, Bailey Simonsson
