Experience for Kiwis vs Fiji clash, Ferns face PNG

Jamayne Isaako scores for the Kiwis against Cook Islands and will now face Fiji in a must-win encounter PHOTO: BRAD ROBERTS/LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY

Five expeirenced players have been bought into the Kiwis' lineup for their must-win game against Fiji on the Gold Coast on Saturday in their final group game at the Rugby League World Cup.

Centre Dane Gagai and prop Moses Leota are back after being rested last week against Cook Islands with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad moving to the interchange and Joseph Tapine switches to lock.

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Isaiah Papali'i returns to the starting side in the back row alongside Briton Nikora and Tapine.

The reshuffle means Xavier Willison, Erin Clark and Scott Sorensen go onto the interchange.

Both the Kiwis and Fiji had close games against Australia who top their group and are assured of a place in the semi-finals.

The Kiwis have battled against Fiji in the last two World Cups, suffering shock 4-2 loss in the quarter-finals in Wellington in 2017 and needing a late comeback to escape with a 24-18 quarter-final victory in Hull four years ago.

Meanwhile, a near full strength Kiwi Ferns side has been selected to play Papua New Guinea at the same venue with halfback Raecene McGregor returning from injury.

The Kiwi Ferns are top of their group with two wins.

Kiwis lineup v Fiji:

1. Keano Kini, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Casey McLean, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. James Fisher-Harris (C), 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Moses Leota, 11. Isaiah Papali'i, 12. Briton Nikora, 13. Joseph Tapine (v/c)

Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Naufahu Whyte, 16. Erin Clark, 17. Xavier Willison, 18. Charnze Nicoll-Klostad, 19. Scott Sorensen, 20. Leo Thompson, 21. Jacob Laban, 22. Tanner Stowers-Smith

Kiwi Ferns vs Papua New Guinea:

1. Apii Nicholls, 2. Leianne Tufuga, 3. Abigail Roache, 4. Stacey Waaka, 5. Mackenzie Wiki, 6. Zahara Temara, 7. Raecene McGregor, 8. Alexis Tauaneai, 9. Georgia Hale, 10. Shannon Mato, 11. Shaniece Monchau, 12. Kaiyah Atai, 13. Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa

Interchange: 14. Ashleigh Quinlan, 15. Otesa Pule, 16. Brooke Anderson, 17. Ivana Lauitiiti, 18. Tenika Willison