18 Jun 2018

Understrengh Kiwis side heading to Denver

5:31 am on 18 June 2018

New Zealand coach Michael Maguire has unveiled a severely under-strength team to face England in this weekend's one-off Test in Denver.

Kiwis head coach Michael Maguire

Kiwis head coach Michael Maguire Photo: © Copyright Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz Photosport Ltd 2018

Seven uncapped Kiwis have been included in the 19-strong group, including five who have represented Pacific island nations at Test level.

Te Maire Martin and Kodi Nikorima are the only specialist halves named, with Shaun Johnson, Benji Marshall and Kieran Foran all either unavailable or injured.

Warriors hooker Issac Luke is the most capped player (42) in the squad and will most likely captain the side for the exhibition match.

Front rowers Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Martin Taupau and Pita Hiku are the only other players to have played at least 10 times for the Kiwis.

-RNZ/AAP