Kiwis coach Michael Maguire has dropped hooker Brandon Smith on the day of New Zealand’s clash with Great Britain for “failing to meet standards.”

Smith played in the No. 9 jumper against Australia, in last week’s loss in Wollongong as Maguire continues to change up his spine.

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Kieran Foran came into the side to replace Shaun Johnson in the halves in a move which was announced earlier in the week.

Then on Saturday former Kiwi and commentator Daryl Halligan revealed that Smith would also not feature against the Lions.

“Brandon Smith won’t play today,” he told SkySport NZ.

“This week he failed to meet the expectations and standards that the coaching group, Michael Maguire and the senior guys in the team expect in the black jumper.

“He’s been stood down, maybe he’ll get an opportunity next week.”

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Kiwis coach Michael Maguire during a training session Source: Getty Images

Kodi Nikorima, who rejoined the Kiwis camp late in the week, was tipped by Halligan to start on the bench.

Halligan said Melbourne’s Jahrome Hughes, usually a half or fullback would take the No. 9 role to start with, but instead he will remain on the interchange with Nikorima slotting straight into the starting XIII.

In the wake of the loss to Australia, Maguire had fired a warning shot to the younger Kiwis who he suggested did not grasp the gravity of the jersey.

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“We had a number of young guys come in and play and unfortunately they didn’t get what this jersey is all about at this present moment,” Maguire said.

“We have high expectations in the jersey.

“It’s a big thing that these boys need to understand – at this level, it’s one play or it might be back-to-back sets or those sorts of little things that you need to build.”