New Kiwis role for NAS, while centre experiments continue

Kiwis giant Nelson Asofa-Solomona will have a new role as an edge forward in New Zealand's final group game against Ireland on Saturday, while coach Michael Maguire will field his third different left centre in as many games. 

The move of the 115kg Storm forward to the right-side second row is sure to have Ireland's edge defence on high alert, with Maguire keen to see Asofa-Solomona play increased minutes, and in the process open up a spot in the middle of the park where the Kiwis are spoiled for choice with talented players. 

Asofa-Solomona spent time in an edge role with Melbourne in the NRL this year, and Maguire said from that point on it was always his intention to use him in the second row at some stage for the Kiwis. 

"I thought at the back end of the season back with the Melbourne Storm he showed some real quality things he can do as a back-rower," Maguire said. 

The unexpected lynchpin: Nelson Asofa-Solomona

"It's incredible how he can move for a big man, it's amazing, I am really surprised how quickly he can get across the park. 

You are going to get a lot of ball players going at a big guy like Nelson, but if they go anywhere near him he tends to get hold of them. He's pretty scary after that.

Michael Maguire

"He is going to be a big man running at halfbacks, so they are going to have to work out how they can stop him."

Maguire said his side to face Ireland is the best 17 he has available, with Moses Leota (hamstring) and Marata Niukore (pectoral) set to miss at least a week and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak nursing a minor calf strain.

Veteran Roosters forward Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is named on the bench after serving a suspension, picked up in his side's Telstra Premiership Qualifying Final last month, through the tournament's opening rounds.

Dylan Brown returns from the illness which kept him out last week, while Jahrome Hughes will play his first game of the World Cup after overcoming a thigh strain. 

The major position of contention continues to be at left centre, with Sharks back-rower Briton Nikora now set to join Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Niukore as the players who have been given a shot there so far at the tournament. 

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"He's a pretty handy player Brit... he has got an opportunity to show us what he can do there in the centres," Maguire said. 

"When he has jumped in at training this week he has been high level.

"It will be a good one for us all to watch to see how Brit goes there.

"We're obviously looking for a very strong defensive performance, but Brit is very capable with the ball as well."