Peacock picks up captain's armband for first Test

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Jamie Peacock will captain Great Britain against New Zealand on Saturday and will have the other credible candidate alongside him following Adrian Morley's escape from a high tackle charge.

Morley was placed on report while leading the Northern Union side against the All Golds last Saturday, but was told yesterday that he has no case to answer.

Despite that, Peacock takes back the role he filled in last year's Tri-Nations. "It was a fairly obvious choice," said the Great Britain coach, Tony Smith.

Great Britain will be without Danny McGuire for the first Test at Huddersfield, after the Leeds stand-off broke a bone in his hand during his two-try performance against the All Golds. "He won't be able to play this week, but there is no displacement and we think he will be available for the last two games," Smith said.

The Kiwis have added two British-based players to the squad for their tour, with Leeds' Clinton Toopi and Bradford's Tame Tupou, both of whom played for the All Golds on Saturday, joining the party.

One place had been left open and another vacancy was created by David Kidwell's decision to go home to see his terminally ill mother. Although his absence weakens the pack, the Kiwis have chosen to bring in two threequarters as their reinforcements.

"The selectors felt there was good cover in the back row, so it was decided to bring in two more backs instead," said their coach, Gary Kemble.

Tupou goes straight into the 19-man squad for the first Test, but Toopi will not be available until the following weekend, as he is taking his family home to New Zealand. One certainty is that Sam Perrett, the only full-back in the squad, will make his Test debut.

Papua New Guinea have included Salford's John Wilshere and the Hull KR pair, Stanley Gene and Makali Aizue, in their party for a European tour which starts with a match against Wales this Sunday.

Castleford have strengthened their pack for their first season back in Super League by signing the Salford prop, Michael Korkidas. The Australian has signed a two-year contract.