Defence and intensity will be areas of focus when the Kiwis have their last hit-out before the rugby league World Cup with a Test against Tonga in Auckland on Saturday.

Skipper Nathan Cayless said the New Zealanders were following traditional wisdom in wanting to beef up their defence against a strong-looking Tongan line-up.

"It's going to be a major part of our campaign," he said.

"Obviously, we have wonderfully gifted attacking players in our team, but it's a pretty well-used cliche that, if you get your defence right, then everything falls in order for you."

The Kiwis, in the guise of the All Golds, had their first run together last weekend, downing the New Zealand Maori 44-10.

While victory over the Maori was ultimately convincing, the All Golds looked rusty in a match that also doubled as a farewell for former Kiwis Ruben Wiki and Logan Swann and Cayless admitted that the New Zealanders needed to lift against Tonga.

"There was a bit of a festival-style atmosphere, but we made too many errors with the football," he said.

"I think we completed only 60 per cent of our sets. We're aiming more around the 80 per cent mark. That's one area we're really going to have to improve on if we're to give the tournament a shake."

Coach Stephen Kearney has chosen close to his top 13 to start the match at Mt Smart Stadium.

He has included Manly's premiership-winning centre, Steve Matai, who was confirmed only on Monday for the World Cup after he received medical clearance on his injured shoulder.

Wigan halfback Thomas Leuluai and mercurial Wests Tiger Benji Marshall form the halves pairing, while New Zealand Warrior Nathan Fien has beaten South Sydney's Issac Luke to the starting hooker's spot.

Up front, fellow Warrior Sam Rapira gets to partner Cayless' partner as the starting props, ahead of Melbourne pair Adam Blair and Sika Manu, who will both begin on the bench.

Opposition coach Jim Dymock has put out what is being regarded as the strongest side in Tongan league history.

The starting 13 have all played in the National Rugby League and include former Kiwis Awen Guttenbeil, Tevita Leo-Latu and Epalahame Lauaki, and former Kangaroo and Queensland State of Origin representative Antonio Kaufusi.

Cayless said the Kiwis were preparing for a bona fide Test encounter, rather than just a build-up to the World Cup.

"They have strong players across the field and some very big boys, not only in their forward pack, but in their wings and centres," he said, citing the likes of Parramatta 19-year-old Tony Williams.

An NRL debutant this year, Williams stands 1.92m and weighs 110kg, putting him in the same class as Kiwi winger Manu Vautuvei, who will be on the other side of the field.

"It's a Test match and it's going to be full on," Cayless said.

New Zealand: Lance Hohaia, Sam Perrett, Steve Matai, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, Benji Marshall, Thomas Leuluai, Nathan Cayless (captain), Nathan Fien, Sam Rapira, Simon Mannering, Setaimata Sa, Jeremy Smith. Interchange (two to be omitted) Issac Luke, Sika Manu, Greg Eastwood, Adam Blair, David Fa'alogo, Krisnan Inu.

Tonga: Fetuli Talanoa, Cooper Vuna, Michael Jennings, Andrew Emilio, Tony Williams, Feleti Mateo, Eddia Paea, Lopini Paea (captain), Tevita Leo-Latu, Antonio Kaufuai, Richard Fa'aoso, Epalahame Lauaki, Awen Guttenbeil. Interchange (two to be omitted) Willie Manu, Sam Moa, Manase Manuokafoa, Micky Paea, Esikeli Tonga, Joel Taufa'ao.

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