Four players have made it into the Kiwis' team for Friday night's Anzac Test in Brisbane that didn't play in the Four Nations final against Australia last year, but Jared Waerea-Hargreaves isn't one of them.
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There are recalls for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Watene-Zelezniak, Ben Matulino and Sam Moa, but Waerea-Hargreaves isn't in the team, despite having a big game for the Roosters on Saturday.
Tuivasa-Sheck made himself unavailable for the Four Nations, but the Roosters full-back has played superbly this season and forced his way back into contention.
The Panthers' Watene-Zelezniak was named to make his Kiwis debut on the wing in the Four Nations opener, but broke a bone in his foot during the team's build-up for that game.
A variety of injuries kept Matulino out of the Kiwis' program last year, while Moa withdrew from Four Nations consideration due to family illness.
"All of these players have been in good form so far this season and really put their hands up for inclusion in this Anzac Test side," coach Stephen Kearney said.
"It's a sign that we are developing some great young talent and good depth in certain positions."
The group has also suffered a couple of setbacks over the weekend, with news that Four Nations mainstays Dean Whare and Jason Taumalolo would not be available through injury.
Whare has nursed a hamstring strain for several weeks and could not take the field for Penrith Panthers on Sunday night, while Taumalolo left the field early in North Queensland's win over Newcastle with a knee injury.
"It's disappointing to lose those lads, but that's the nature of the game sometimes," Kearney said.
"We wish them both a speedy recovery and we have total confidence in the players that take the field on Friday night.
"We believe this team is capable of a job for us this week and it's also an opportunity to take another step towards our ultimate goal – the 2017 World Cup."
Meanwhile, Australia have named for four debutants in their team, Alex Johnston, Josh Dugan, Will Chambers and Trent Merrin. An extended squad has been named with injury concerns to several players including Billy Slater.
"We have a lot of experience in this squad but it is also important to be able to test some of the younger players at this level," Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens said.
"I'm looking forward to seeing how the likes of Alex Johnston, Josh Dugan and Will Chambers perform at this level, alongside our more experienced players like Greg Inglis, Johnathan Thurston and Cameron Smith."
New Zealand: Jesse Bromwich, Lewis Brown, Greg Eastwood, Kieran Foran, Tohu Harris, Peta Hiku, Shaun Johnson, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Thomas Leuluai, Issac Luke, Simon Mannering, Ben Matulino, Sam Moa, Kevin Proctor, Matin Taupau, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Manu Vatuvei, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
