First wave of Kiwis squad announced
Eleven potential debutants have been named in the NZ Kiwis train-on squad for next month’s Four Nations tournament in
New Zealand and Australia.
The first round of candidates also includes 10 Vodafone Warriors players.
Coach Stephen Kearney has released the names of 21 athletes whose clubs have missed the NRL playoffs, due to start this
week. Further names will be added as more teams are eliminated.
The wider squad will consist of about 40 players and the Four Nations roster will be named the week after the NRL Grand
Final on October 5.
The only players so far missing from the Kiwis’ most recent outing – the Anzac Test against Australia in May – are
Warriors utility Ben Henry, who has elected to have off-season knee surgery, and five-eighth Isaac John, after tearing
an Achilles tendon in May.
The squad is:
Gerard Beale (St George Dragons), Adam Blair (Wests Tigers), Fa’amanu Brown (Cronulla Sharks), Sosaia Feki (Cronulla
Sharks), David Fusitua (Vodafone Warriors), Siliva Havili (Vodafone Warriors), Valentine Holmes (Cronulla Sharks),
Konrad Hurrell (Vodafone Warriors), Shaun Johnson (Vodafone Warriors), Ngani Laumape (Vodafone Warriors), Thomas Leuluai
(Vodafone Warriors), Simon Mannering (Vodafone Warriors), Suaia Matagi (Vodafone Warriors), Ben Matulino (Vodafone
Warriors), Matt McIlrick (Canberra Raiders), Jason Nightingale (St George Dragons), Sauaso Sue (Wests Tigers), Brad
Takairangi (Wests Tigers), Martin Taupau (Wests Tigers), Bodene Thompson (Wests Tigers), Manu Vatuvei (Vodafone
Warriors)
The Four Nations kicks off on October 25, with an England v Samoa/NZ v Australia doubleheader at Brisbane’s Suncorp
Stadium.
Meanwhile, seven players have been named for the initial Junior Kiwis train-on squad. They are:
Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Melbourne Storme), Herman Ese’ese (CanterburyBulldogs), Jerome Hughes (Gold Coast Titans), Sione
Katoa (Penrith Panthers), Una Mohi (Melbourne Storm), Niua Puaka (Melbourne Storm), Renouf To’omaga (Canterbury
Bulldogs)
The Junior Kiwis will face the Junior Kangaroos at Mt Smart Stadium on October 18.
ends