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On the charge: Fuifui Moimoi of the Parramatta Eels - Source: Getty Images -
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Powerhouse front rower Fuifui Moimoi will play his first international in two years when the Kiwis open their Four Nations campaign against the Kangaroos at the Twickenham Stoop on Sunday (NZT).
Moimoi (30), outstanding for the beaten Parramatta side in this year's NRL grand final against Melbourne, was on Thursday confirmed as the only personnel change from the side that beat Tonga 40-24 in Rotorua last Wednesday.
Tongan-born Moimoi played the last of his five Tests against France in Paris in 2007. After missing last week's victory over his home country, he has been named to partner Melbourne's premiership-winning prop Jeff Lima on Saturday night.
While he returns, a hamstring injury will keep World Cup-winning utility Greg Eastwood (22) out of the side to meet Australia. He was limited to minimal activity at the Kiwis' training runs at the London Irish Rugby Football Club last night and the London Scottish Rugby Football Club on Thursday.
Eastwood, who started his 10th Test at loose forward against Tonga in Rotorua, has been replaced in the No 13 jersey by Melbourne's Adam Blair. The line-up is otherwise unchanged from the one that last week produced the sixth victory in Stephen Kearney's nine Tests so far as Kiwi coach.
"Greg has been troubled by a tight hamstring this week," said Kearney.
"We had hoped he'd recover but at this early stage of the tournament we don't want to take a risk with it.
"While he's out, it's great to have Fuifui back in the New Zealand side. He's been in great form in the NRL and is certainly one of the most exciting players in the game right now."
While Blair has played most of his 13 Tests as a prop, he had a stint in the second row during last week's Test against Tonga and he started each of Melbourne's last six games of the year in the back row.
"Adam has shown he has the ability to play there," said Kearney.
England's Steve Ganson has been named to referee Saturday night's encounter.
Meanwhile, the Kangaroos have named a vastly
more experienced side, with three debutants
including Dragons flyer Brett Morris.
Kiwis: Lance Hohaia, Sam Perrett, Steve Matai,
Junior Sa'u, Bryson Goodwin, Benji Marshall (C), Nathan Fien, Jeff
Lima, Issac Luke, Fuifui Moimoi, Bronson Harrison, Frank Pritchard,
Adam Blair.
Reserves: Thomas Leuluai, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Iosia Soliola,
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Kieran Foran, Ben Matulino.
