Canberra second rower Joseph Tapine has been brought onto the bench to replace Vodafone Warriors forward Adam Blair for the Kiwis’ first Test against England at Hull’s KCOM Stadium (2.30pm kick-off local time).

The 46-Test veteran Blair took a knock to his right knee in a training session in Wigan on Wednesday.

He ran extensively at training yesterday but head coach Michael Maguire has decided to leave him out this week, bringing in Tapine for his ninth Test.

Tapine’s place in the 19-man squad has been taken by Vodafone Warriors utility Peta Hiku.

NEW ZEALAND KIWIS v ENGLAND

2.30pm, Saturday, October 27, 2018

KC Stadium, Hull

NEW ZEALAND KIWIS

1 DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK (Penrith Panthers) captain

2 KEN MAUMALO (Vodafone Warriors)

3 ESAN MARSTERS (Wests Tigers)

4 JOSEPH MANU (Sydney Roosters)

5 JORDAN RAPANA (Canberra Raiders)

6 SHAUN JOHNSON (Vodafone Warriors)

7 KODI NIKORIMA (Brisbane Broncos)

8 JESSE BROMWICH (Melbourne Storm)

9 BRANDON SMITH (Melbourne Storm)

10 JARED WAEREA-HARGREAVES (Sydney Roosters)

11 KEVIN PROCTOR (Gold Coast Titans)

12 ISAAC LIU (Sydney Roosters)

13 JAMES FISHER-HARRIS (Penrith Panthers)

Interchange:

14 KENNY BROMWICH (Melbourne Storm)

15 LEESON AH MAU (St George Illawarra Dragons)

16 MARTIN TAUPAU (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)

19 JOSEPH TAPINE (Canberra Raiders)

Extended:

18 JAHROME HUGHES (Melbourne Storm)

21 PETA HIKU (Vodafone Warriors)

HEAD COACH | MICHAEL MAGUIRE