3 minute read
Stacey Jones has been forced to call up eight debutants and recall a Super League veteran in his first squad as New Zealand's head coach.
Stacey Jones has been forced to call up two fringe first-graders to his maiden New Zealand camp as the Kiwis coach named a heavily depleted squad for the Pacific Championships.
Penrith duo Trent Toelau and Casey McLean were the surprise inclusions in Jones's squad, with the pair boasting just 16 games of NRL experience between them.
The uncapped Panthers have spent most of the season playing in the NSW Cup.
They are joined in a fresh-looking Kiwis set-up by six further debutants, including Newcastle utility Phoenix Crossland, Gold Coast Titans livewire Keano Kini and Melbourne's former New Zealand sevens international Will Warbrick.
The likes of Dylan Brown, Kieran Foran, Moses Leota, Brandon Smith, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Briton Nikora and Jeremy Marshall-King are all unavailable due to injury.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona is suspended, while former Sydney Roosters centre Joey Manu has recently switched codes to take up a deal in Japanese rugby union.
Retiring Warriors playmaker Shaun Johnson could not be convinced to finish his career with an international call-up.
Jones has turned to versatile back Peta Hiku to compensate for his player shortage after an impressive season in the Super League with Hull KR, who have qualified for Sunday's grand final.
Hiku is the first Kiwi call-up from England since 2017.
"While we've had a number of players ruled out through injury or unavailability, it's a hugely exciting opportunity having the Kiwis playing at home in front of our fans again," Jones said.
"We've still got a solid core of last year's squad but, the way I see it, it's a fantastic chance for us to build the group to provide lots of options and depth for following campaigns."
Warriors-bound Penrith prop James Fisher-Harris will captain the side again after his exploits in their 30-0 defeat of Australia to claim last year's Pacific Championships helped him become the first forward to win the Golden Boot.
Dally M Medal winner Jahrome Hughes has been selected and looks set to partner Kodi Nikorima in the halves after the Dolphins playmaker was recalled to the New Zealand side for the first time since 2019.
The Kiwis will face Australia in their first game of the tournament in Christchurch on October 27, before meeting Tonga on November 2 in Auckland.
New Zealand squad: Erin Clark*, Phoenix Crossland*, James Fisher-Harris (c), Peta Hiku, Jahrome Hughes, Jamayne Isaako, Keano Kini*, Casey McLean*, Griffin Neame, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Kodi Nikorima, Marata Niukore, Isaiah Papali'i, Jordan Riki*, Scott Sorensen, Joseph Tapine, Leo Thompson, Matt Timoko, Trent Toelau*, Will Warbrick*, Naufahu Whyte*
*Denotes uncapped
