New Zealand coach David Kidwell
New Zealand coach David Kidwell

Rugby League World Cup: Manly prop Addin Fonua-Blake on the bench against Scotland


New Zealand will rest several players and give a debut to Manly prop Addin Fonua-Blake against Scotland in Christchurch on Saturday.

Wigan hooker or half-back Thomas Leuluai, who won his 39th cap in the Kiwis' opening 38-8 win over Samoa, will sit out his country's second Group B game, along with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Simon Mannering and Jordan Rapana, while centre Gerard Beale has been ruled out of the tournament after breaking his leg last Saturday.

Shaun Johnson will have a new half-back partner in Te Maire Martin while Jason Nightingale, Peta Hiku and Dean Whare all get starts in a reshaped back line, and Fonua-Blake is set to earn his first cap off the bench.

Among seven changes made by coach David Kidwell ahead of the showdown with Tonga, Elijah Taylor will start at hooker in place of Leuluai.

New Zealand Warriors reserve grader James Bell, who has made two NRL first grade appearances, will start for Scotland at loose forward after making his debut off the bench in last Sunday's 50-4 defeat by Tonga.

In other changes, Alex Walker comes in at full-back with Lewis Tierney switching to centre in place of Will Oakes, Danny Addy moves from scrum-half last week to hooker with Oscar Thomas in the number seven jersey.

New Zealand will be aiming for revenge after being held to an 18-18 draw with Scotland in their last meeting in Workington last November.

New Zealand: R Tuivasa-Sheck; J Nightingale, D Whare, B Takairangi, P Hiku; T Martin, S Johnson; M Taupau, E Taylor, J Waerea-Hargreaves, K Bromwich, J Tapine, A Blair. Interchange: N Asofa-Solomona, R Packer, A Fonua-Blake, D Levi.

Scotland: A Walker; L Tierney, B Hellewell, L Stein, M Russell; D Brough (capt), O Thomas; L Douglas, D Addy, B Kavanagh, J Andeson, D Ferguson, J Bell. Interchange: K Bentley, S Brooks, B Wilkinson, J Walker.

Related links

Like what you've read?

MOST READ

Sporting Life
Join for free!
Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee
Race Replays
My stable horse tracker
giftOffers and prize draws
newsExclusive content
We are committed to Safer Gambling and have a number of self-help tools to help you manage your gambling. We also work with a number of independent charitable organisations who can offer help and answers any questions you may have.
Gamble Aware LogoGamble Helpline LogoGamstop LogoGordon Moody LogoSafer Gambling Standard LogoGamban Logo18+ LogoTake Time To Think Logo