Sonny Bill Williams will return to action for defending world champions New Zealand and Kieran Foran will captain his country when the Kiwis take on Papua New Guinea.

Williams missed the Kiwis’ second match against France at the Rugby League World Cup and is one of six changes to the team that won in Avignon to book their place in the quarter-finals.

Foran will lead the team for the second time, after doing the job against the Kangaroos in the Anzac Test earlier in the year, while regular skipper Simon Mannering earns a week on the sidelines.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Frank Pritchard are also rested for Friday’s match, with Pritchard given time to get over a few minor knocks.

“Frank has a cork above his knee and a bit of a sore ankle. I thought it would be best to give him a break,” coach Stephen Kearney said.

Williams and Jesse Bromwich come into the starting line-up at Headingley while Elijah Taylor is promoted from the bench with Sam Moa taking his place in the replacements.

In the backs Manu Vatuvei, Dean Whare and Joss Hoffman return with Jason Nightingale, Kevin Locke and Krisnan Inu rested.

After the match every player in the 24-man squad with the exception of injured Thomas Leuluai will have featured in the tournament.

Team: Josh Hoffman, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Dean Whare, Bryson Goodwin, Manu Vatuvei, Kieran Foran, Shaun Johnson, Ben Matulino, Issac Luke, Jesse Bromwich, Alex Glenn, Sonny Bill Williams, Elijah Taylor. Interchange: Sam Moa, Sam Kasiano, Frank-Paul Nu’uausala, Greg Eastwood, Jason Nightingale, Simon Mannering (two to be omitted).