New Zealand Rugby League selectors have finalised a 34-man squad in preparation for the World Cup — adding 10 players to their mid-year team.
Only Titans hooker Erin Clark has been removed from the 25-man mid-year squad that beat Mate Ma’a Tonga in June 28-20, after a knee surgery.
Warriors veteran Shaun Johnson alongside, Kodi Nikorima, Corey Harawira-Naera, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves headline players included who have featured for New Zealand in the past.
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Warea-Hargreaves was hit with a three-game suspension for a head slam in the club’s elimination finals and will reportedly serve the ban during the World Cup.
Bulldogs gun Jeremy Marshall-King, Eels winger Bailey Simonsson and Raiders duo Sebastian Kris and Matthew Timoko round out the players added — but are yet to debut.
Scott Sorenson, Jordan Riki and Griffin Neame are also yet to play their first game for their country.
“We wanted to name a wider squad so we have all options covered while the NRL finals are playing out,” said Kiwis head coach Michael Maguire.
“We’re excited about the depth of players available and the form they’re in. The vast majority of them are in sides that made it into the finals which is a real positive as we look ahead to the tournament.”
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Full New Zealand Squad:
NELSON ASOFA-SOLOMONA
JESSE BROMWICH
KENNEATH BROMWICH
DYLAN BROWN
JAMES FISHER-HARRIS
KIERAN FORAN
BRADEN HAMLIN-UELE
COREY HARAWIRA-NAERA
PETA HIKU
JAHROME HUGHES
SHAUN JOHNSON
SEBASTIAN KRIS
MOSES LEOTA
ISAAC LIU
JOSEPH MANU
JEREMY MARSHALL-KING*
TE MAIRE MARTIN
KEN MAUMALO
RONALDO MULITALO
GRIFFIN NEAME*
CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD
BRITON NIKORA
KODI NIKORIMA
MARATA NIUKORE
ISAIAH PAPALI’I
JORDAN RAPANA
JORDAN RIKI*
BAILEY SIMONSSON*
BRANDON SMITH
SCOTT SORENSEN*
JOSEPH TAPINE
MATTHEW TIMOKO*
JARED WAEREA-HARGREAVES
DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK
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