Michael Maguire has well and truly stamped his mark on the Kiwis with the appointment of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak as captain.

The Panthers fullback was the surprise choice as Maguire announced his side to meet Australia in Auckland on Saturday, which includes two debutants in hooker Brandon Smith and centre Joseph Manu.

Former skipper Jesse Bromwich has also been named to start at prop and was expected to join the squad on Tuesday following the birth of his third child.

ANDREW CORNAGA/PHOTOSPORT Kiwis coach Michael Maguire has named his team to play the Kangaroos on Saturday.

At just 23 Watene-Zelezniak, who has played seven tests since his debut in 2016, is one of the youngest captains in New Zealand rugby league history. And his appointment ahead of more experienced campaigners, such as last year's World Cup captain Adam Blair, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and halfback Shaun Johnson, is one few saw coming.

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So much so that even the man himself had trouble believing it when Maguire called him about the role two weeks ago.

"I was quiet and I looked at my wife and was like, 'did he just say what I think he said'," Watene-Zelezniak said.

But after having a night to sleep on it and seeking the advice of his family, Penrith general manager Phil Gould and coach Cameron Ciraldo, it was an easy decision.

"I'm very grateful and privileged to be able to lead this team. I'll be doing anything and everything I can to be able to lead with my actions on and off the field. I have values in my life that I go by and lead my family at home by.

"I'm a massive family person and family is what gets me going in games. So to be able to lead these boys out is something I'll remember for the rest of my life."

Watene-Zelezniak's great-grandfather, Steve Watene, was the first Maori captain of the Kiwis in the 1930s.

What an honour for our lad Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to be named Captain of NZ Kiwis. It’s also great honour for Panthers to have the NZ captain playing in our club. Local junior. Came through your development system. Outstanding young man. Now National captain of NZ. Well done DWZ — Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) October 9, 2018

He was honoured to continue the family's legacy in the black and white jersey.

"I think he's smiling down on me at the moment," Watene-Zelezniak said.

"He was actually in parliament as well so he led on and off the field and that's something I'd love to do as well - lead on and off the field."

Following the appointment of Maguire and NZRL chief executive Greg Peters in May, Watene-Zelezniak's rise completes a fresh look to the Kiwis' leadership after last year's disastrous World Cup.

Maguire opted not to appoint an official captain for the mid-year test against England in Denver to survey his options.

He was highly impressed with the conversations they had in the US. And once the coach decided to go with youth, Watene-Zelezniak was a standout choice.

"I've been fortunate to work with a lot of great players in my coaching career and a lot of the things Dallin was talking about were the reasons why people have had success in the game," Maguire said.

"Everyone's a leader in some form but I think he's going top represent us in the right way."

The Kiwis embark on a three-test tour of England after the Australia test but Maguire did not confirm if the appointment was permanent, other than to say: "Dallin will be a big leader of our team moving forward for a long period of time."

It does leave a question as to where injured Warriors fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck plays in the side in the future.

Up until the Denver test, Watene-Zelezniak had played exclusively on the wing for the Kiwis with Tuivasa-Sheck usually one of the first names picked when fit.

It's rare for a captain to play on the wing but Maguire said he was not looking that far ahead.

"I know Roger wants to be in the camp too and we'll assess that as we move forward. But at the moment we're in camp and we've got Dallin as our fullback."

Meanwhile, Bromwich and back-rower Kevin Proctor have been named to play their first test since last year's cocaine scandal in Canberra.

When asked if the Storm front-rower was considered for the captaincy, Maguire said Bromwich's focus was on performing for the team but did confirm that he was part of the leadership group.

"I've known Jess for a long time so he's going to impart a lot of knowledge from what he's learned in his time and I know he's going to be a big supporter of Dallin."

The Kiwis lineup includes 10 players who featured in Denver, while Peta Hiku has been named in the extended reserves alongside one of the squad's new faces, Jahrome Hughes.

Shaun Johnson returns to the halves but in the No 6 jersey, with Kodi Nikorima named at halfback.

Blair also makes his return via the bench after missing the Denver test through suspension.

Kiwis team to play Australia: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (c), Ken Maumalo, Esan Marsters, Joseph Manu, Jordan Rapana, Shaun Johnson, Kodi Nikorima, Jesse Bromwich, Brandon Smith, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Kevin Proctor, Isaac Liu, James Fisher-Harris. Interchange: Kenny Bromwich, Leeson Ah Mau, Martin Taupau, Adam Blair, Peta Hiku, Jahrome Hughes