There are seven players are in line to make their New Zealand debuts the inaugural Pacific Championships amid a hooker shortage.
The potential debutants in the Kiwis’ 21-man squad include Cowboys prop Griffin Neame and Christchurch-born Knights utility Fa’amanu Brown who joins the squad after representing Samoa at Rugby League World Cup last year.
Eels front-rower Wiremu Greig, Titans’ 19-year-old fullback Keano Kini, Knights prop Leo Thompson, Raiders centre Matthew Timoko and Roosters forward Naufahu Whyte round out the potential debutants.
Watch every match of The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Live on Kayo Sports. Starts THU 6 OCT 7:30PM AEDT. Join Kayo now and start streaming instantly >
The Kiwis are particularly short at hooker with Roosters star Brandon Smith (hand), Dolphins standout Jeremy Marshall-King (shoulder) and Newcastle revelation Phoenix Crossland (knee) all ruled out.
Warriors star and Dally M winger of the year Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has represented New Zealand on 13 occasions but has defected to Tonga.
The 2023 Dally M Medal runner-up, Shaun Johnson, made himself unavailable for selection after a long season with the Warriors.
Two former Kiwis Tests stars, who have since played for Samoa, have been recalled in Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako and Danny Levi.
Isaako finished the 2023 NRL season as both the leading try scorer and the top points scorer and last represented the Kiwis against Great Britain in 2019.
Levi returns after last playing for New Zealand at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. He has represented Samoa since 2019, including at the World Cup last year.
MORE NRL NEWS:
‘UNFINISHED BUSINESS’: Blues coaching comeback an ‘option’ for Laurie Daley
‘DEEPLY SORRY’: Holmes cops ban and huge fine over ‘immature’ act
‘BAD BUSINESS’: Crichton’s camp blows up after RA withdraws $1.6 million offer
KANGAROOS CONFIRMED: Panthers’ GF hero snubbed in big Teddy Kangaroos call
The remaining 12 players named were all in the Kiwis’ line-up for their World Cup semi-final against the Kangaroos when they lost 16-14 in an epic battle at Elland Road in Leeds.
Returning from the backline that night are 2022 Golden Boot winner Joseph Manu, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dylan Brown and Jahrome Hughes.
Panthers premiership-winning props James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota are back along with Isaiah Papali’i, Briton Nikora, Joseph Tapine, Kieran Foran and Nelson Asofa Solomona.
“It’s always a real thrill being able to bring new players into the Kiwi camp,” New Zealand coach Michael Maguire said.
“It’s a special place and these men have earned the opportunity. They’ll benefit so much from being around players who have done the jersey proud.
“This series is exciting for the game in New Zealand and also a chance for us to start our journey to the next World Cup in 2025.”
The Kiwis begin their campaign against Samoa at Eden Park on October 21 before facing the Kangaroos in Melbourne a week later.
The series final will be played in Hamilton on November 4.
MORE NRL NEWS:
JILLAROOS CONFIRMED: Upton set for Aus debut after perfect NRLW season
WINNERS & LOSERS: Silver lining to Broncos nightmare; shock call on Dally M freak
SEASON REPORT CARD: NRL’s biggest failure revealed; title surge no one saw coming
MAD MONDAY: Conor meets Squid Games as Panthers continue GF celebrations
Meninga defends Teddy selection | 00:48
NEW ZEALAND SQUAD:
NELSON ASOFA-SOLOMONA Melbourne Storm
DYLAN BROWN Parramatta Eels
FA’AMANU BROWN Newcastle Knights
JAMES FISHER-HARRIS Penrith Panthers
KIERAN FORAN Gold Coast Titans
WIREMU GREIG Parramatta Eels
JAHROME HUGHES Melbourne Storm
JAMAYNE ISAAKO The Dolphins
KEANO KINI Gold Coast Titans
MOSES LEOTA Penrith Panthers
DANNY LEVI Canberra Raiders
JOSEPH MANU Sydney Roosters
RONALDO MULITALO Cronulla Sharks
GRIFFIN NEAME North Queensland Cowboys
CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD One NZ Warriors
BRITON NIKORA Cronulla Sharks
ISAIAH PAPALI’I Wests Tigers
JOSEPH TAPINE Canberra Raiders
LEO THOMPSON Newcastle Knights
MATTHEW TIMOKO Canberra Raiders
NAUFAHU WHYTE Sydney Roosters
