Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has beaten Canberra teammate Sebastian Kris to a starting centre spot for New Zealand's opening Rugby League World Cup game against Lebanon.
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New Zealand coach Michael Maguire has shown little inclination to take things lightly, naming a near full-strength team for their opening fixture.
The most eye-catching selection is that of Warriors-bound Nicoll-Klokstad at left centre ahead of Kris and Marata Niukore.
Nicoll-Klokstad, who has primarily played as a fullback at Canberra over the last four seasons, spent the back end of the year in reserve grade after falling down the pecking order at the Raiders.
But Maguire has favoured the 27-year-old over Kris and Parramatta's Niukore to play left centre against Lebanon at Warrington on Monday morning.
Maguire used Nicoll-Klokstad in that role during the 2019 Tests against Australia and Great Britain.
"I've obviously got a couple of games there to see how the boys perform," Maguire said.
"Charnze has impressed in training. I've been talking to Charnze right throughout the season, and albeit he's been playing fullback, he did a fantastic job for us in the Test match a couple of years ago."
Maguire has challenged Joey Manu to announce himself as the best fullback in the game after naming the Sydney Roosters centre in the Kiwis' No.1 jersey.
The uncertainty in the centres is as a result of Manu being anointed the Kiwis' successor to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck at fullback.
Manu has been stuck behind James Tedesco waiting for a shot at fullback at club level but now has the chance to establish himself as a bonafide No.1 on the international stage.
"In my mind at the moment, he (Manu) is a fullback," Maguire said.
"I'd like to see him become the best fullback in the tournament.
"That would be something nice for Joey to be able to achieve."
Maguire has every player at his disposal bar Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (suspension) for the game against the Lebanese.
Penrith duo Moses Leota and James Fisher-Harris are picked in a forward pack which contains Parramatta's Isaiah Papali'i and in-form Canberra prop Joe Tapine.
Maguire acknowledged his side was being touted as a candidate to win the tournament but says he's still figuring out the best make-up of his backline.
Penrith's James Fisher-Harris, Melbourne's Jesse Bromwich and Canberra's Joe Tapine, who struggled with a knee issue at training on Thursday, will form the basis of a dominant pack.
In a sign of how strong this Kiwis side is, utility Kieran Foran is the only member of the 17-man squad who didn't play finals.
And Maguire hinted the veteran playmaker wouldn't simply act as cover to halves duo Jahrome Hughes and Dylan Brown, who is vying with winger Jordan Rapana to take the goalkicking duties.
"Kieran can obviously play in the halves and as a No.9 to give Brandon a spell," Maguire said.
"You might even see him in the middle of the park at some stage playing a different style when we want to."
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will return from suspension for their final group game against Ireland.
New Zealand team: Joey Manu, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Peta Hiku, Jordan Rapana, Dylan Brown, Jahrome Hughes, Jesse Bromwich, Brandon Smith, James Fisher-Harris, Isaiah Papali'i, Kenny Bromwich, Joe Tapine. Interchange: Kieran Foran, Moses Leota, Nelson Asofa Solomona, Briton Nikora. Reserves: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Marata Niukore.
Australian Associated Press
