Sonny Bill Williams has been named to play his first game for the Kiwis in five years and will start in the second-row in the Rugby League World Cup opener against Samoa.

Fellow Roosters star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will make his debut in the same match after being named on one of the wings, while Sam Moa will earn his first cap coming off the bench.

Some of the big names in the team include Kieran Foran, Shaun Johnson, Manu Vatuvei, Issac Luke and Simon Mannering.

New Zealand will play Samoa at 7am on Monday.

Meanwhile, Fiji is pooled with Australia, England and Ireland and will take on Ireland in their first pool game at 9am on Tuesday.

England plays Australia in the opening of the Rugby League World Cup at 1.30am tomorrow.


Story by: Dhanjay Deo