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Kiwis at full strength

Kiwis at full strength

10/31/2011 02:33:41 AM

The availability of previously suspended Kiwis forwards Adam Blair and Russell Packer means coach Stephen Kearney has a full quota of players to select ahead of Saturday's encounter with Four Nations minnow Wales.

Blair was handed a five-match ban for his role in an ugly brawl in the round 25 NRL match between the Storm and Sea Eagles while Packer missed the opening Four Nations loss to Australia due to a dangerous tackle on Darren Lockyer in the 42-6 trans-Tasman Test loss in Newcastle a week earlier.

But the pair are back on deck and their 21 fellow squad members are also fit as the Kiwis prepare for must-win matches against Wales, then England, if they are to qualify for the final.

The first leg of that mission is expected to be an easy one, given the Four Nations debutants were towelled up 42-4 by England.

The Kiwis arrived at their London base on Sunday night ahead of the Wembley Stadium double-header, where they play the curtain-raiser to Australia's clash with the home side.

"It's helpful having everyone available for selection," Kearney said, "but no matter who plays this week, a priority against Wales will be trying to find a way to start our games better.

"We need to learn from what happened against the Australians last Friday night and also in Newcastle when we weren’t able to start the way we wanted."

Of the eight rookies that were originally named for the Kiwis tour, only three are yet to make their Test debuts.

Kevin Proctor, Elijah Taylor and Bill Tupou may all come into consideration unless Kearney opts to put his strongest line-up out to build towards the showdown with England, which looms as a veritable semi-final.

The Kiwis have time off to explore London on Monday and Tuesday before resuming full training the following day.

Their training will be based at the Wasps Rugby Club, followed by the Rugby League International Federation awards dinner later that evening.

The only chance to run around on the hallowed Wembley turf comes on Friday, with all four teams only given half an hour each to do so.

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

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