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Greg Eastwood, Steve Kearney and Isaac Luke - Source: Photosport -
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Coach Stephen Kearney says he won't be playing favourites and competition is alive for positions for the Kiwis' opening match in the Four Nations on October 25.
The New Zealand tour party flew out of Auckland on Friday bound for London and a first-up test against tournament favourites Australia.
Kearney got a chance to assess most of his 23-strong squad during a patchy 40-24 win over Tonga in Rotorua on Wednesday .
Among those who did sit out were two frontrunners in prop Fuifui Moimoi and outside back Krisnan Inu, who were involved in Parramatta's National Rugby League grand final defeat to Melbourne on October 4.
While the fixture against the Tongans had been a help in terms of deciding a possible 17 to face the Kangaroos, Kearney said he hadn't yet got his line-up worked out.
"Obviously Fuifui comes into the picture, and Krisnan and guys like that," he said.
"It's not entirely settled. There's still a couple of things we're looking at.
"Once we've had a good look at the tape from the Tonga game and taken into account what we think is going to work against Australia, then we'll make a judgment."
Kearney also said he had told his players that selection would be based on actions, "actions on the training park, actions in performance".
"There will be no favourites," he said.
"Everyone will be fighting for their positions and that's what we want."
Nevertheless, Moimoi looks a certainty after having been the most damaging prop in the latter stages of the NRL.
Against Tonga, Kearney fielded uncapped Sydney Rooster Frank-Paul Nuuausala in Moimoi's place.
In the absence of Inu, who can operate at fullback, wing and centre, Bulldog winger Bryson Goodwin and Newcastle centre Junior Sa'u also made their Test debuts.
The Kiwis go into the inaugural Four Nations, which is being staged in England and France, as world champions, after upsetting Australia in the World Cup final last November.
However, their last meeting with Kangaroos, in the Anzac Test in May, ended in lopsided 38-10 defeat.
Skipper Benji Marshall said the Anzac result wasn't weighing on his mind, adding that limited preparation was a factor in the Kiwi performance then.
"Having four days to prepare to play a Test match is pretty tough," he said.
"At the same time, I'm excited about playing them again. I think it's going to be good campaign for us in terms of being competitive."
Marshall was pleased with the workout the Tongans gave the Kiwis in a contest that was tied at 24-24 until the New Zealanders kicked away with three late tries.
The five-eighth grabbed the first of the three himself, pouncing on a kick through by halfback Nathan Fien.
"I think it was great," Marshall said of the match.
"I would prefer it went that way rather than winning by 70 points. It tested our character and that brought out the best in the boys at the end."
Marshall said the Kiwis took heart in being able to lift a gear when it mattered.
"I thought Nathan Fien took control pretty well and we started to play quality football towards the end," he said.
"It made us realise we can play when we want to."
After Australia, the Kiwis face France in Toulouse on November 1 and England at Huddersfield on November 8.
The tournament final will be in Leeds on November 15.
