Veteran Kiwis utility Thomas Leuluai believes New Zealand has the right players in their squad to get a result against Toa Samoa in their Rugby League World Cup opener in Auckland on Saturday.
Despite the loss of key forwards like Jesse Bromwich, Kevin Proctor and Jason Taumalolo, the Kiwis hooker says there is enough experience in the pack to get the win over Samoa.
"We still got a lot of experience there, doesn't feel like we are missing experience if you know what I mean at training and that," said Leuluai.
"The talk is still there.
"The guys are professional and been playing a long time so they sort of know their roles."
Bromwich and Proctor were dropped from the Kiwis side after their involvement in a cocaine scandal in May following the ANZAC Test against the Kangaroos in Canberra.
David Kidwell said he's confident his team will do the job against Toa Samoa on Saturday. (Source: Other)
Taumalolo announced earlier this month that he will play for Tonga at the World Cup.
"Obviously the guys we are missing we would love to have them, but in saying that the guys that are stepping in, like I said, you've got young guys that have played three-four NRL seasons now and been brought up in that environment," said Leuluai.
"They are already professional in what they do and they know their roles."
Manu Ma'u, David Fusitu'a and Sio Siua Taukeiaho all announced earlier this month their decision to play for Tonga rather than New Zealand.
"It's matter of us coming together really which is more of a challenge."
The side have four debutants named in the team to take on Samoa at Mount Smart Stadium this weekend - Brad Takairangi, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Isaac Liu and Danny Levi.
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