After missing out on the ANZAC Day Test earlier in the year, Kieran Foran re-joins Shaun Johnson in the halves with Thomas Leuluai starting at hooker.
Adam Blair earns a recall in the front-row alongside Jesse Bromwhich while Simon Mannering will captain the team from the second-row.
After a four-year absence, utility Lewis Brown makes a return to the side via the bench alongside Greg Eastwood, Martin Taupau, Tohu Harris and Suaia Matagi.
Panthers winger Watene-Zelzniak – whose great grandfather Steve Watene is a former Kiwi captain and lends his name to the NZ Player of the Year award – still needs to pass a fitness test after injuring his foot in training this week, but Kearney believes the 19 year old will be ready to go.
“Dallin is an exciting young prospect who we think will play many Tests for the Kiwis in the future,” the Kiwi coach said.
“He’s bought a lot of youthful energy to the camp this week, but we’ll have to wait and see how his foot mends up.”
Taumalolo finally gets a shot in the black jersey after he was named in the 2012 Anzac Test squad but didn’t play.
“His performances over the past year, but particularly over the last two months of the NRL, have been very consistent,” said Kearney.
“Jason’s always been there or thereabouts. He had an opportunity to get picked for the Anzac Test before he injured a shoulder and he’s also been a junior Kiwi.”
Kiwi side to play Australia at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, 25 October. Kick-off 6.45pm (QLD Time)
1-Peta Hiku, 2-Jason Nightingale, 3-Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 4-Dean Whare, 5-Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 6-Kieran Foran, 7-Shaun Johnson, 8-Jesse Bromwich, 9-Thomas Leuluai, 10-Adam Blair, 11-Simon Mannering (captain), 12-Kevin Proctor, 13-Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14-Lewis Brown, 15-Greg Eastwood, 16-Martin Taupau, 17-Tohu Harris, 18-Suaia Matagi