Rookie New Zealand coach David Kidwell says he overlooked inspirational Canberra Raider Sia Soliola because he needed to plan for the future, admitting it was hard to cut his former Test teammate.
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But Kidwell has thrown his support behind Canberra try-scoring machine Jordan Rapana to make an immediate impact in his New Zealand debut against Australia in Perth on Saturday night.
Kidwell will take the Kiwi coaching reins for the first time on the weekend after stepping up to replace Steven Kearney.
He has turned to a host of veterans for the Four Nations, including 30-year-olds Adam Blair, Lewis Brown, Simon Mannering, Sam Moa and Jason Nightingale.
But there was no room for the man described as the heart and soul of the Raiders' revival, with Kidwell adamant he needed to find balance in his squad.
Mannering has been ruled out of the first Test after knee surgery, but Soliola is still waiting for a call to revive his New Zealand career.
Soliola hasn't played a Test since 2009 and left the door ajar for an international comeback earlier this year when he was asked if he still had hopes of playing for New Zealand.
Soliola has been credited with transforming the culture at the Raiders since joining the club two years ago and was a crucial part in their charge to the preliminary final this season.
When asked if Soliola was in selection contention, Kidwell said: "One hundred per cent, but as I said there are only 24 that can make the squad.
"I played with Sia so I know first-hand what he can produce and he clearly had a wonderful year [for Canberra].
"But only 24 can fit in and I've sort of got to look to the future as well. In finding that balance between the future guys and having that experience of guys who played in the jersey before, those were the reasons."
Kidwell will turn to two debutants for the Test against the Kangaroos, with Rapana and Solomone Kata being promoted to the starting line-up.
Sydney Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has also been recalled for the first time since 2013, while Raiders young gun Joe Tapine is the 18th man.
Rapana was the standout winger of the NRL season, scoring 23 tries to break a long-standing record for the most tries by any Canberra player in a single season.
"He had an outstanding season, his form speaks for itself," Kidwell said.
"He's loving being in camp, you can see it in his smile and presence. It's very humbling. He's a really, really good person too and fits straight into our camp. I think he's really looking forward to Saturday night."
Canberra enforcer Shannon Boyd is in contention for his first Test for Australia with the front-rower expected to be named in coach Mal Meninga's squad.
Kidwell is relying on his entire squad to step up to fill the void left by Mannering, who is still in New Zealand recovering from knee surgery.
Tapine is on standby to join the game-day squad for his Test debut after an impressive rise in the capital this year.
The 22-year-old former Newcastle Knight was close to getting his first Test cap, but Kevin Proctor joined the squad on Tuesday after the birth of his child earlier this week.
"I didn't realise how big [Tapine] was [until I met him]. He's another lovely kid and he's coming off the back of a big year," Kidwell said.
"Everyone has got a part to play. Adam [Blair] is part of our leadership group and it's a role he loves and enjoys and he'll be a very important part coming off the bench.
"At times we need to rely on that experience during tough times to keep going.
"It's very important. If you have a look at the Kangaroos they've got some experience as well. To have that combination with Thomas and Sol on that side is important too."
- Who do you think was Canberra's best-performed sportsperson of 2016? Vote now for your people's sporting champion for the inaugural CBR Sport Awards. Entries close Friday.
