No margin for error as Kiwis launch Pac Champs title defence

Such is the delicate balance of power between the three Pacific Cup heavyweights that defending champions New Zealand know even a win over old foes Australia on Sunday doesn't guarantee them a place in the final on November 10.

The Kiwis open their campaign in Christchurch with a vastly different side to the one that mauled the Kangaroos 30-0 in last year's final, with Joseph Manu, Jahrome Hughes, Kieran Foran and Nelson Asofa-Solomona among those missing.

Coach Stacey Jones has coaxed mercurial playmaker Shaun Johnson out of his brief retirement to steer the side around the park, while giant Storm winger Will Warbrick, Titans flyer Keano Kini and Roosters youngster Naufahu Whyte are among the debutants.

Should the Kiwis ride the home support and get the job done on Sunday they will still need to beat Tonga in Week 3 to be guaranteed a spot in the final.

A win over Australia and a loss to Tonga would see all three Pacific Cup sides finish on one win apiece, with the standings to be determined by for and against.

A change to the format for the second year of the Pacific Championships ensures that every match counts, with the third-placed team in the Cup playing off against the winner of the Bowl – Fiji, PNG or Cook Islands - for a place in next year’s Pacific Cup.

Coming in with the same 17 that got the job done against Tonga in Brisbane, the Kangaroos' combinations will be slicker and they will be quietly confident of avenging the horror of Hamilton from 12 months ago.

Jones, meanwhile, will be relying on 32-Test veteran Johnson and his new halves partner Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad to steer the Kiwis around the park and dominate field position for Matt Timoko, Kini and Warbrick to go to work.

"It's making sure that we get the connection right within the group," Jones said.

"What we did last year certainly set a benchmark and there's quite a few players who were involved last year that have come back again and will set standards.

"And then we've also got players that have come back that have been part of this side before, like Shaun and Peta Hiku and Kodi Nikorima, players that have tasted Test footy so the experience they bring has made my job a lot easier.

"What we saw last weekend [with Australia and Tonga] was two teams blowing cobwebs and we hope we can get all our cobwebs out in training and put together a good performance on Sunday."

Back to captain the Kiwis again in 2024 is four-time premiership winner James Fisher-Harris, one of the game's most respected leaders who will call New Zealand home again next year when he joins the Warriors.

The decision to leave Penrith with two years remaining on his contract followed the death of his grandfather in March, with Fisher-Harris feeling a strong obligation to assume the role as head of the family.

Fisher-Harris' devotion to his family and his teammates has earned him the respect of all in the game and Jones can't think of a better man to lead his men into battle.

"James has been outstanding, he's a player I've had a close connection with throughout the year," Jones said.

"What he brings, the word you can use that describes Fish is 'mana', the heart and soul of the team, a leader that everyone respects.

"He is so passionate about this space and we couldn't ask for a better leader."