[1] In the lead up to the test, Australia named an expected team, though Jarryd Hayne, a revelation in the unfamiliar position of centre during the 2013 World Cup, was unavailable through injury and was replaced by Canterbury's Josh Morris who was playing along his twin brother, St George Illawarra winger Brett.

Coach Tim Sheens named experienced North Queensland Cowboys back Brent Tate as the squads 18th man.

Not selected were the likes of Kevin Locke (languishing in the New Zealand Warriors NSW Cup side thanks to the presence of England fullback Sam Tomkins at the club), Manu Vatuvei, Kieran Foran, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Isaac Luke and Sonny Bill Williams.

While Foran and Luke were injured and Williams had made himself unavailable, the biggest shock were the omissions of powerhouse winger Vatuvei and Sydney Roosters premiership winning front rower Waerea-Hargreaves.

Playing their first test match for the Kiwis were Manly's Peta Hiku (fullback), Warriors Ben Henry and Siliva Havili (hooker and reserve), West Tigers' Martin Taupau, and Penrith's Isaac John who was playing for the Panthers NSW Cup affiliate the Windsor Wolves when selected.