New Zealand Name Strong Squad for ANZAC Test Despite Injuries to Key Players

New Zealand have named a strong 18-man squad ahead of their encounter with Australia in the 2015 ANZAC Test this Friday night, as per the New Zealand Herald.

Even without ace lock Jason Taumalolo, stalwart centre Dean Whare and hard-working back-rower Elijah Taylor, the team looks to be one of the best New Zealand have put out in the annual fixture.

Having players unavailable at this time of year is nothing new for the Kiwis, who have had terrible luck with injury and dubious suspensions since the ANZAC Test's inception in 1997. However, normally they do not have the depth to cover for the absences. This year they do.

The forward pack is stacked with talent, hard-workers and a bunch of energetic impact players who will add spark. They are led by captain Simon Mannering, a pure grafter who can be relied upon to make a truck-load of tackles, often two or three in a set. His work rate is as high as anyone's in the game today.

He will most likely form a back-row combination with Melbourne Storm duo Tohu Harris and Kevin Proctor. Harris has been in top form this year, running the ball dangerously and making plenty of tackles, while Proctor is a worker who adds physicality in contact. They are backed up by another grafter, Lewis Brown, and the skillful Greg Eastwood on the interchange bench.

The front row will see explosive hooker Issac Luke join dynamic ball-carrier Jesse Bromwich, along with one of Sam Moa, Martin Taupau and Ben Matulino. Moa is perhaps the best option, as he is a player with international experience and always provides good go-forward and makes his tackles.

That gives you the chance to inject the hard-hitting impact player Taupau once the opposition has tired, along with the physical Matulino, who carries well and brings a good offloading game.

It is a very good forward pack which, while not as experienced or well known as the Australian one, provides plenty of energy and contains players with more consistency than the typical Kiwis team would.

They are backed up by dangerous halves pairing of Shaun Johnson and Kieran Foran. Both complement each other well, with Johnson bringing flair and playmaking ability, while Foran provides organisation, intelligence and toughness.

Should Foran be unable to play due to injury, Thomas Leuluai would be the obvious replacement. At any rate, Leuluai will find his way onto the interchange bench, given his ability to cover both half positions as well as hooker.

The centres are the most problematic position group, with Whare having no obvious replacement. Peta Hiku has been named and can play there, as can second-rowers Brown, Eastwood and Mannering. Hiku will be the likely option to pair with Shaun Kenny-Dowall, a duo that would provide flair in attack, although possibly represents a weak area in defence.

Such concerns will not be evident at full-back, as Roger Tuivasa-Sheck makes his return to the black jersey after a blistering start to the 2015 season. His form at the back for the Sydney Roosters has made him arguably the most dangerous player in the NRL with his speed and explosive side-step making him tough to stop.

He will spearhead a back three which will also contain the big Warriors winger, Manu Vatuvei and teenage sensation Dallin Watene-Zeleniak.

Certainly they will have to be at their best to win. But they have the players to do it and despite being depleted, New Zealand look to have their best chance to win an ANZAC Test in many years.

Kiwis squad: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Manu Vatuvei, Dallin Watene-Zeleniak, Peta Hiku, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Kieran Foran, Shaun Johnson, Thomas Leuluai, Issac Luke, Sam Moa, Ben Matulino, Jesse Bromwich, Martin Taupau, Kevin Proctor, Tohu Harris, Simon Mannering, Greg Eastwood, Lewis Brown.