Attacking weapons Krisnan Inu and Issac Luke and power forward David Fa'alogo have been recalled for New Zealand's World Cup showdown with Papua New Guinea on the Gold Coast on Saturday night.
Inu comes into the Kiwi side for suspended Manly premiership centre Steve Matai while coach Stephen Kearney has promoted Setaimata Sa to his starting side for Sika Manu, who has been ruled out with an eye injury that required a visit to a specialist yesterday.
Matai had multiple scans and X-rays yesterday on shoulder, wrist and thumb injuries.
Luke, who made his Test debut against Australia earlier this year, has been preferred on the bench to Dene Halatau.
Kearney has shown faith in halves Thomas Leuluai and Benji Marshall who failed to click in the 30-6 loss to Australia last weekend.
New Zealand will need to bounce back hard against Papua New Guinea who surprised everyone with their brave display against England in Townsville.
Kearney says from watching them play England they know they're going to be a very committed side and they're not on the Gold Coast for a holiday.
Team:
New Zealand: Lance Hohaia, Sam Perrett, Krisnan Inu, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, Benji Marshall, Thomas Leuluai, Nathan Cayless (capt), Nathan Fien, Adam Blair, Simon Mannering, Setaimata Sa, Jeremy Smith. Interchange: Issac Luke, Greg Eastwood, Sam Rapira, David Fa'alogo.
