Dylan Brown and Mele Hufanga in action against Samoa. Photo: Photosport
The Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns have named their sides for this weekend's blockbuster rugby league double header at Eden Park.
Round three of the Pacific Championships comes to Auckland with the Kiwi Ferns kicking things off against Australia before the Kiwis take on Tonga XIII.
Both New Zealand sides are coming off the back of nail-biting round one wins against Samoa.
Kiwis coach Stacey Jones has made four changes to his team, with both hooker Jeremy Marshall-King and winger Ronaldo Mulitalo sidelined with injury.
Warriors utility Te Maire Martin has been named on the bench for his first test appearance in seven years, with the last of his four internationals coming against England in Denver in 2018.
Canberra's Sebastian Kris comes onto the wing for the injured Mulitalo.
"We feel they are the right balance in cover, we lost Marshall-King and Ronaldo both to devastating injuries, not only for us but for their clubs as well. So big losses for us, but we feel that they're the right balance and cover for this group."
Elsewhere, Xavier Willison will make his debut off the pine while Phoenix Crossland is promoted to star at hooker.
After a week of mandatory rest, Jones said the Kiwis are refreshed and recharged.
"They had a good break with families, but it's good to get them back into camp and focus on a good game of footy."
Jones said the side is bracing for a Tongan takeover in Auckland, where traditionally a sea of red cover the stands at Eden Park.
"The international game is at a really good level now and we have to be at our best against these teams. We are expecting a very physical good challenge. Tonga is going to be much better proposition having their second hit out. So expecting a very tough game."
Meanwhile, Ricky Henry has made a number of changes to his Kiwi Ferns side which survived a serious scare against Fetu Samoa in week one.
Down 20-0 at half-time, the Ferns staged a stunning comeback to snatch a 22-20 victory.
In a change on the wing Leianne Tufuga replaces Tysha Ikensio, while up front Tiana Davison takes the 10 jersey in place of Brianna Clarke and Otesa Pule is promoted to start ahead of Shakira Baker.
"Tysha was really good I thought. But Lay's got some runs on the board there. She played in the last game that we won against them has been a standout for Canberra so she really deserves her spot. Tianna's been there before. She's got a lot of experience."
Shaniece Monschau of the Bulldogs is set to make her debut form the interchange bench.
"It's really exciting for us. She was here last week, trained really well and was really close, but she gets a crack, so we're looking forward to that. All players have been really up for an opportunity and they get it this weekend."
Co-captain Raecene McGregor admits they can not afford another slow start this weekend.
"We didn't display our best footy there in the first half, but we just showed everyone what we can do in that second and hopefully we come out there this weekend and give that whole 70 minute performance."
McGregor said they wanted to make a statement against the world champions.
"I think it's for us to show them that we are a good side too and a lot of people are going to be writing us off, but we know what we can do inside this camp and we're going to show them this weekend."
Henry lauded the grit the side displayed under pressure against a rampant Samoan side.
"We showed a lot of heart. We took a lot of belief out of being able to come back under pressure. I think it sets us up nicely for the Jillaroos this weekend."
He said they must be on from the kick off if they are to upset the Aussies.
"Every time we play against the Jillaroos they come out firing, so we've got to hold our gloves up and then sort of throw back as well. I think we are ready, we're primed, we're confident."
Kiwi Ferns team vs Jillaroos
1. Apii Nicholls 2. Shanice Parker 3. Abigail Roache 4. Mele Hufanga 5. Leianne Tufuga 6. Patricia Maliepo 7. Raecene McGregor (co-captain) 8. Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa 9. Brooke Anderson 10. Tiana Davison 11. Annessa Biddle 12. Otesa Pule 13. Georgia Hale (co-captain)
Interchange: 14. Ashleigh Quinlan 15. Shaniece Monschau* 16. Alexis Tauaneai 17. Ivana Lauiti'iti 18. Tyla King.
Kiwis team vs Tonga XIII
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Casey McLean 5. Sebastian Kris 6. Dylan Brown 7. Kieran Foran 8. James Fisher-Harris (c) 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Moses Leota 11. Briton Nikora 12. Isaiah Papali'i 13. Joseph Tapine
Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Erin Clark 17. Xavier Willison (debut) 18. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
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