Loose forward Jeremy Smith was today ruled out of the Pirtek Kiwis line-up for tomorrow nights Anzac Test against Australia at Suncorp Stadium.
Smith (29), New Zealands 2008 player of the year, hasnt recovered in time from a high ankle sprain that forced him off the field in St George Illawarras 12-11 NRL win over the Vodafone Warriors in Wollongong last Sunday.
Pirtek Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney said Vodafone Warriors utility Simon Mannering, originally named to start in the centres in his 19th consecutive test, has been switched to the back row with Sydney Roosters centre Iosia Soliola promoted from the bench to the midfield.
Obviously we were aware from the outset that Jeremy was an outside chance to be ready for the test, said Kearney.
With treatment we hoped he would get there and gave him every chance but it hasnt worked out.
While thats disappointing for him and the team we have prepared knowing it was a possibility this would happen so it hasnt caused us any disruption in our preparation.
Coming onto the bench is Melbournes World Cup-winning back rower Sika Manu while Brisbanes Auckland-born utility Alex Glenn (20), a Northcote junior, becomes 18th man after being brought into the squad today. Glenn captained Brisbanes NYC team last year and played for the Junior Kiwis in their memorable victory over the Junior Kangaroos in Wellington in 2007.
Last night Dene Halatau (26) was brought in at hooker replacing South Sydneys Issac Luke, who will miss the test after being found guilty on a grade one striking charge at an NRL judiciary hearing in Sydney.
Wests Tigers utility Halatau, who has played 14 internationals since his 2004 debut, was a member of New Zealands World Cup-winning squad last year.
Luke rejoined his New Zealand team-mates last night and will stay on in the camp to support them for the rest of this one-test campaign.
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