New Zealand win the tug-of-war with Queensland for the services of Sam Kasiano after the Canterbury prop is named in the Kiwis squad to face Australia on October 13.

SWEATING: Kiwis star Shaun Johnson. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: Geelong Advertiser

Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens is happy with the Australia line-up, despite several big names being unavailable due to injury.

THEY are known as league's hardest men yet the Kiwis hope Bikram Yoga will be their secret weapon when they face Australia in tropical Townsville next week.

In a locked room sweltering with 40C heat, Kiwi stars such as halfback Shaun Johnson and captain Simon Mannering last week contorted their bodies into the "Eagle", "Half Tortoise" and "Wind Removing Pose".

Bikram Yoga is a 90-minute stretching routine consisting of 26 poses and two breathing exercises in a hot room. The Auckland session left the Kiwi training group light-headed and in awe of their instructor.

The unique drill was the brainchild of Kiwi league legend-turned team trainer Ruben Wiki, who said it was one of the toughest exercises he had done.

Kasiano named for Kiwis

Not content with stretching the players to their limits, Wiki sent the group back to the Auckland yoga studio two days later to do traditional footy drills - still in 40C heat.

"Yoga is tough bro," Wiki said.

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Yoga has Kiwis ready for our heat