Australia Kangaroos vice-captain Harry Grant has bristled at suggestions he was on the cusp of a long stint as a starter as he and his teammates head to Christchurch to face New Zealand. 

Coach Mal Meninga named an unchanged line-up to face the Kiwis on Sunday, looking to book their spot in the Pacific Championships final.

It is the first meeting between the two nations since New Zealand triumphed in last year's final 30-0.

Grant started for the first time for Australia in the 18-0 win over Tonga in Brisbane on Friday night, and was a star performer.

However, Grant said cementing himself as the permanent number nine for Australia was not on his mind ahead of this weekend's Test.

"I can't really look too far ahead," Grant said ahead of Sunday's clash in Christchurch.

"I think I have got to build on last week's game and perform this week.

"I just think if you start looking too far ahead, that's when the complacency comes in.

"You want to make your teammates and coaching staff proud, and you don't do that looking too far ahead, you do that by looking at what's in front of you and what you can control this week."

The Kangaroos were humiliated by the Kiwis last time they met, but Grant said dwelling on the past was counter-productive.

Their defensive resolve was lacking in 2023, but it is an area the new-look outfit has addressed.

"It was obviously disappointing (what happened) last year, but we can't change that. We can't dwell on that. It is a new team and we can just learn from it," Grant said.

"I think we are putting things in place to learn from that and go again this week. Defence is a massive one. You win games on defence.

"A lot of guys are fresh to the team and to the Test match arena and they are bringing their strengths and thriving in camp.

"We have addressed last year, but I don't think this series should be based on last year, or that we should be focusing on that too much."

Meanwhile, Ali Brigginshaw has been named at five-eighth for the Jillaroos after being a late withdrawal for Australia's 84-0 win over Papua New Guinea last Friday. 

Cronulla captain Tiana Penitani returns to the centres for Australia after moving into five-eighth last weekend.

Jessica Sergis, who stepped into the side after Brigginshaw's late withdrawal, has been named as 18th woman.

Olivia Higgins will start as number nine after Quincy Dodd sustained a minor quad injury in last week's win.

Australia Kangaroos squad

1. Dylan Edwards
2. Xavier Coates
3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
4. Tom Trbojevic
5. Zac Lomax
6. Tom Dearden
7. Mitch Moses
8. Patrick Carrigan
9. Harry Grant (vc)
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Angus Crichton
12. Cameron Murray
13. Isaah Yeo (c)
14. Matt Burton
15. Mitch Barnett
16. Reuben Cotter
17. Hudson Young
18. Ben Hunt
19. Lindsay Smith

Australia Jillaroos squad

1. Tamika Upton
2. Julia Robinson
3. Isabelle Kelly
4. Tiana Penitani
5. Jakiya Whitfeld
6. Ali Brigginshaw (c)
7. Tarryn Aiken
8. Millie Elliott
9. Olivia Higgins
10. Shannon Mato
11. Kezie Apps (c)
12. Yasmin Clydsdale
13. Simaima Taufa
14. Jessika Elliston
15. Sarah Togatuki
16. Keilee Joseph
17. Mahalia Murphy
18. Jessica Sergis
19. Abbi Church
20. Keeley Davis

ABC/AAP