Benji Marshall will captain the Kiwis for a record 20th time, when New Zealand face Australia in their one-off test in Wollongong on Friday night.
Kiwis coach Michael Maguire confirmed the appointment on Monday, as the Kiwis began preparations for the match, after the World Cup Nines tournament in Sydney.
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Marshall repaces Dallin Watene-Zelezniak in the role, with the outside back unavailable due to injury.
The 34-year-old will overtake Gary Freeman for the most tests as Kiwi captain. They were level on 19, after Marshall captained New Zealand to a 10-18 loss against the Kangaroos in Townsville seven years ago.
Marshall first led the Kiwis against England at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, standing in for Nathan Cayless, and took over the role permanently the following year, when the latter retired.
Following the game against Australia, which will be Marshall's 29th test, New Zealand face the Great Britain Lions in Auckland on November 2 and Christchurch on November 9.
Kiwis teammate Shaun Johnson said he couldn't wait to play alongside Marshall again.
"To get to play with him next week is really special," he said, after the World Cup Nines final. "He's my childhood hero, so anytime I get to rub shoulders with him is awesome."
Marshall returned to the Kiwis team against Tonga earlier this year, after a seven-year absence from the national side.
Join us at 10pm Friday for live updates of the Kiwis v Kangaroos rugby league test
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