Coach David Kidwell will reveal the Kiwis’ 24-man squad tomorrow for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
The announcement is scheduled to be made at 1.00pm NZT.
The routine in previous years has been to name players in a train-on squad as their clubs finished their NRL campaigns.
That practice has now been discontinued although groups of players have still been coming together for training sessions on both sides of the Tasman.
Up to four players used in the 12-30 Anzac Test loss to the Kangaroos appear to be out of contention.
Prop Jesse Bromwich and second rower Kevin Proctor have both been stood down for disciplinary reasons while standoff Kieran Foran has been ruled out. It has also been reported today that Jason Taumalolo has made a decision to represent Mate Ma'a Tonga rather than New Zealand.
The other 13 players used in Canberra were Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Jordan Rapana, Dean Whare, Jordan Kahu, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Shaun Johnson, Issac Luke, Russell Packer, Simon Mannering, Adam Blair, Martin Taupau, Kenny Bromwich and Kodi Nikorima. David Fusitu’a, Elijah Taylor and Brandon Smith were also in camp.
Other players in the Kiwis’ mix a few months earlier for the 2016 Four Nations in the United Kingdom were Gerard Beale, Solomone Kata, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Thomas Leuluai, Te Maire Martin, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Lewis Brown, James Fisher-Harris, Tohu Harris, Manu Ma’u, Joseph Tapine and Greg Eastwood.
Kata has pledged his allegiance to Mate Ma’a Tonga for the Rugby League World Cup, as has 2015 Kiwi Tuimoala Lolohea.
Here is an extended list of possible contenders for the Kiwi team. Players who aren’t selected for New Zealand are able to represent a second-tier nation if they’re eligible.
Brisbane | Adam Blair, Herman Ese’ese, Alex Glenn, Jordan Kahu, Kodi Nikorima.
Canberra | Jordan Rapana, Iosia Soliola, Joseph Tapine.
Canterbury-Bankstown | Greg Eastwood, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Sam Kasiano.
Cronulla | Gerard Beale, Sosaia Feki, Sam Tagataese.
Gold Coast Titans | Konrad Hurrell, Agnatius Paasi, Leivaha Pulu (Kevin Proctor banned).
Manly | Lewis Brown, Addin Fonua-Blake, Martin Taupau.
Melbourne | Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Kenny Bromwich, Slade Griffin, Tohu Harris, Brandon Smith (Jesse Bromwich banned).
Newcastle | Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Danny Levi.
North Queensland | Te Maire Martin, Antonio Winterstein.
Parramatta | Kirisome Auva’a, Kenny Edwards, Josh Hoffman, Manu Ma’u, Brad Takairangi.
Penrith | James Fisher-Harris, Corey Harawira-Naera, Sione Katoa, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Dean Whare.
South Sydney | Zane Musgrove, Hymel Hunt.
St George Illawarra | Leeson Ah Mau, Jason Nightingale, Russell Packer.
Sydney Roosters | Issac Liu, Joseph Manu, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Zane Tetevano, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.
Vodafone Warriors | David Fusitu’a, Shaun Johnson, Sam Lisone, Issac Luke, Simon Mannering, Ben Matulino, Ken Maumalo, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Albert Vete.
Warrington | Peta Hiku.
Wests Tigers | Josh Aloiai, Matt McIlwrick, Ava Seumanufagai, Sauaso Sue, Elijah Taylor.
Wigan | Thomas Leuluai.
KIWIS AT RLWC2017 | GROUP GAMES
v Toa Samoa
8.10pm, Saturday, October 28
Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
v Scotland Bravehearts
5.00pm, Saturday, November 4
AMI Stadium, Christchurch
v Mate Ma'a Tonga
5.00pm, Saturday, November 11
FMG Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
BUY TICKETS NOW | 2017 RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP
FULL DRAW | 2017 RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP
