That time of year has rolled around again. We've honoured the brave souls who fought for our freedom and right to enjoy our little slice of paradise, now it's time for the sportsmen to go to battle.

The 2014 ANZAC test will be one of the most interesting battles in recent years. For the past 5-10 years we have had roughly the same group of kiwis run out to predictably loose to this great Kangaroos team. There haven't been many fresh faces, exciting selections or any genuine interest to give youth a go and keep an eye on the next World Cup ... this year is different, very different.

We'll start at the back where Peta Hiku gets a run at fullback. A selection based on form and the future as Hiku has been a stand out performer in a team full of stand out performers at Manly. Hiku is a very solid player in all aspects, he doesn't have the flashy style nor does he have the blinding speed and strength of Greg Inglis but he does everything very well. It will be interesting to see what happens between Hiku and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. With the Roosters, RTS shifts to fullback when the Roosters move in to attacking territory with Anthony Minichello moving to the wing ... this is something that I can definitely see happening on Friday night. RTS has the footwork, speed and power to make forwards look extremely dumb and when he receives the ball out the back in second man plays, he is able to look up, pick out his defender and break his ankles ... either that or he breaks someone's ankles out on the wing. I'm not 100% sure if Stephen Kearney will experiment with this but both Hiku and RTS are equally awesome at fullback or wing so why not?

In the centres, Dean Whare has been doing a solid job for the Panthers. He rarely has a bad game but hasn't been in super duper form .... unlike Gerard Beale. Beale has been one of the best centres with the Dragons so far this season. He's big, quick and does all the basics well. For mine, a Beale/Shaun Kenny-Dowall centre pairing would have been the form pick but, hey, at least there's depth. The game isn't going to be won by Whare or Beale on attack, but they can have a huge impact on defence. Greg Inglis moves back to centre for the Kangaroos while Brett Morris has the other spot ... a lot of their attack will come down the edge channels so Whare and Beale must do a decent job on D and get their reads right.

With Kieran Foran and Thomas Leuluai injured, Isaac John gets to partner Shaun Johnson in the halves. Can't really argue there. John is behind both Peter Wallace and Jamie Soward at the Panthers but if they keep loosing, expect him to get a decent run. He's a solid half, good runner of the ball, decent kicker and will help organise things with Johnson. It was pretty difficult to imagine anyone else getting a run at 6 as then the Kangaroos would be able to put the pump purely on Johnson. With John, there are two kickers, two play makers and two options ... throw in Hiku who has played a lot of footy in the halves and you have a bit more variety. Personally, it would be good to see Johnson at second receiver, getting the ball from John ... that way Johnson has an option to run a bit wider or explore options with Hiku and the edge players. John's role will be very simple - distribute, run, kick.

The hookers. With not many other options available, Ben Henry and Siliva Havili get the two hooking spots. I'm pretty happy despite the severe lack of experience. Benry will be the Mr Fix It for the Kiwis for many years and this is a good chance to see him in the deep end. His role will be to be very tough in defence, scoot out of dummy half every so often and just give his team mates crisp ball ... all things that he can do. When Havili comes on, expect the Kiwis to have a bit more spark. Havili has shown an impressive running game and it will be awesome to see him run the ball with Hiku, RTS, Johnson etc right there on his hip.

I'm very happy Adam Blair was selected as he's playing some great footy for the Tigers, and he and Kevin Proctor will provide a threat on the edges. This allows Simon Mannering to play in the middle (although he'll be wearing the 11 jersey, with Blair in 13) where he gives the Kiwis a lot more toughness, which with two young hookers will be very important. Tohu Harris will come off the bench and a very similar style to Blair and Proctor ... big, skilful with quick-ish feet.

Kearney has gone for an athletic forward pack, which could work awesomely with the back line personnel. Jesse Bromwich and Sam Moa are both tough, typical front rowers but are also very mobile and skilful, while Martin Taupau and Greg Eastwood will come off the bench. Both Taupau and Eastwood have been nothing less than quality off the bench for the Tigers and Bulldogs so keep an eye on their impact, especially if the Kiwis can stay in the grind early on.

The Kangaroos? Well we know what to expect from the Kangaroos, if they play to their absolute best, we probably don't have a chance.

I'm excited though. I'm excited because personally, I'm looking forward to this group of Kiwis doing their thing. This test is all about the Kiwis (obviously as a kiwi myself), there are so many interesting things to watch out for, little things for rugby league nerds to keep an eye on which for me, is awesome. While the Kiwis might lack their experienced stars, the don't lack enthusiasm, excitement or desire. If the Kangaroos are off their game and the Kiwis can sniff an opportunity, expect the Kiwis to play with flair and gay abundance.

Don't be a dick and whinge about selections, have a cry that the Kiwis always loose or bemoan the status of the ANZAC test. Just enjoy your Friday night watching a group of exciting young Kiwi footy players go out and do their thing.