The Kiwis have been dealt another blow ahead of Friday's ANZAC Test against the Kangaroos with experience centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall ruled out with ligament damage to his foot.
The Roosters NRL player Shaun Kenny-Dowall playing for the Kiwis. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Kenny-Dowall, a 17-Test member of the Kiwis squad, spent most of the week in the lead up to the Test in a moon boot.
The Roosters centre was given until Thursday morning to prove his fitness but coach Stephen Kearney confirmed he ws ruled out before the captain's run.
Meanwhile Australian rugby league captain Cameron Smith says his Melbourne Storm teamate Jesse Bromwich will be an ideal leader for the Kiwis.
Bromwich will lead the Kiwis for the first time and Smtih said the Melbourne club was proud to have both captains from the same club leading their national sides.
Smith said three years ago Bromwich suddenly seemed to realise what he was capable of.
Kiwis captain Jesse Bromwich Photo: Photosport
"He really has developed into a leader on the field and off the field... the young guys (at the Storm) particularly the Kiwi and Polynesian boys, they really look up to him and respect him," said Smith.
"For a while he was an untapped talent and we didn't know what he was going to make of his career and was just happy being in first grade but I think he just realised one day his capabilities and what he could actually do in the game."
Kangaroos captain Cameron Smith. Photo: Photosport
Meanwhile Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney has confidence playmaker Shaun Johnson will be back to near his best.
Johnson is the only Warriors player named in the squad after the club suspended Manu Vatuvei, Ben Mautlino and Bodene Thompson from international play after they breached team protocols when they reportedly went on a night out mixing prescription medications and energy drinks.
Kearney said Johnson had previously shown that, despite not being in his best form in the NRL, he could be relied on at test level.
"I've seen enough of Shaun to know what he's capable of and he's going to have a pretty handy group of forwards to drive the ball forward to him and create some space for him, which he will enjoy... so I'm not particularly concerned about what Shaun's done in the past few weeks," said Kearney.
