New Zealand skipper Ruben Wiki has failed a late fitness test and is out of the league Test against Australia in Brisbane.

Wiki has been battling a hamstring strain suffered in training with the New Zealand Warriors last weekend.

His place will be taken by Parramatta and former Test skipper Nathan Cayless, who was selected in the original expanded 19-man squad but missed out on the playing 17.

The Kiwis made two other changes to their published starting 13.

Livewire half Benji Marshall, who is returning from a shoulder injury, will begin on the bench while London Harlequins' Thomas Leuluai will be the run-on halfback.

South Sydney second rower David Fa'alago comes into the 13 while North Queensland hooker David Faiumu drops to the bench.

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