New Zealand coach Michael Maguire has axed star playmaker Shaun Johnson in favour of Kieran Foran for Saturday's rugby league test against Great Britain in Auckland.
Johnson is one of two changes from the side heavily beaten by Australia at Wollongong last Friday, with Joseph Tapine also coming in for Braden Hamlin-Uele.
"We've got pretty high standards here at the moment and we're looking for consistency all the time," Maguire said of his decision to drop Johnson.
"I've had a senior group talk about that since my arrival in the job and I think they all understand that."
It is believed to be the first time Johnson has been dropped from the Kiwis side since making his international debut seven years ago.
The Cronulla five-eighth has since featured in 31 tests for his country, but Maguire said the mercurial talent took his demotion positively.
"I had a really good, long conversation with him," Maguire said. "I've been able to build a strong relationship with Shaun about his game.
"He understands that consistency is a big part of playing at this level and at all levels, even at your [NRL] club. It's something he's got to work hard at."
Foran, who hasn't played a test for New Zealand since May 2017, will partner with Benji Marshall in the halves for his 22nd cap.
Maguire praised the former New Zealand captain for overcoming a horror stretch of injuries and finding some form with Canterbury during the back end of this year.
"The change at the moment, with Kieran coming in after our last performance, is well-deserved for Kieran," Maguire said. "He's been performing extremely well at the back end of the season.
"And it's a real credit to him, to see Kieran develop his body back to where it needs to be and play at this level.
"I'm looking forward to seeing him come into the team and perform very well."
Adam Blair will join Ruben Wiki as the only New Zealanders to reach the 50-test milestone.
Raiders revelation Tapine returns from a one-game suspension carried over from the NRL Grand Final.
Zane Tetevano moves from the bench to replace Leeson Ah Mau in the starting line-up.
This Saturday's match will be the Kiwis' first against the Great Britain Lions since a three-test series in England in 2007.
Kicking off at 5pm, it will be the second leg of an international triple-header at Eden Park, following Fiji v Samoa (2:20pm) and curtainraising for Tonga v Australia (7:40pm).
Join us for live updates from 5pm Saturday.
AAP/Newshub.
