Sonny Bill Williams is a notable omission from the rugby league squad that New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney has picked to defend the World Cup in Europe.
Kearney says the second-rower is unavailable “due to other commitments”.
Kearney doesn’t know what those other commitments are.
Williams, who has been tipped to return to rugby union with the Chiefs, said after helping the Sydney Roosters to the NRL premiership on Sunday that he would take a couple of weeks to decide his footballing future.
The 24-man New Zealand squad contains two uncapped players in two other Roosters – Dally M winger of the year Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and prop Sam Moa.
Apart from Williams, Kearney said other players out of selection reckoning were Newcastle back-rower Jeremy Smith and Roosters centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall.
Smith, who played in 2008 World Cup final win over Australia, is unavailable for family reasons.
Kenny-Dowall is out because of injury after playing most of the grand final with a broken jaw.
Kearney and the squad will gather in Sydney on Saturday before flying out for Britain.
The Kiwis have a warm-up fixture against the Cook Islands in Liverpool on October 21 (AEDT), before beginning their cup defence against Samoa in Warrington seven days later.
Kiwis
Jesse Bromwich (Melbourne), Greg Eastwood (Canterbury), Kieran Foran (Manly), Alex Glenn (Brisbane), Bryson Goodwin (South Sydney), Tohu Harris (Melbourne), Joss Hoffman (Brisbane), Krisnan Inu (Canterbury), Shaun Johnson (Warriors), Sam Kasiano (Canterbury), Thomas Leuluai (Warriors), Kevin Locke (Warriors), Issac Luke (South Sydney), Simon Mannering (Warriors), Ben Matulino (Warriors), Sam Moa (Sydney Roosters), Jason Nightingale (St George Illawarra), Frank-Paul Nu’uausala (Sydney Roosters), Frank Pritchard (Canterbury), Elijah Taylor (Warriors), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Sydney Roosters), Manu Vatuvei (Warriors), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters), Dean Whare (Penrith).
peeeko
Roar Guru
HIs heart? you seem to know him rather well. I would have thought his first love is league?
TREX
Guest
And what 1st XV will that be Mozzie? Just another person playing the victim mentality again.
Col Quinn
Guest
Have you ever tasted Pimms. Brown Muscat is preferable
In Brief
Guest
Crosscoder, you are a card.
In Brief
Guest
You sound like a little Englishman from the North with a massive chip on both shoulders. I doubt you've even been to NZ.
Shire Kiwibuglar
Guest
Anyone know about Jeremy Smith?? Would prefer him over Pritchard and Frank-Paul. Smith - better on defence. Now with SBW back in the mix, I think Pritchard will loose out
Sylvester
Guest
Wow. Gutting for the guy getting dumped after the public announcement of the squad. Pretty average on SBW's part if this is true. Maybe Kearney should say "you snooze, you lose". Hard to predict who will get the boot. Glenn perhaps?
Sylvester
Guest
Horo and Kearney have history, so I less surprised about that. Perrett has been a more than solid performer for the Kiwis. Would take him over Nightingale.
Tui
Guest
Well thats bloody great news!
Eddie
Guest
No Sam Perrett?! I know they gotta leave someone- why didnt they leave Goodwin out!
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
A couple of head stomps will solve that problem.Though as a teetotaller he wont be drinking Pimms.
Johnno
Guest
Wow whoever gets left out now to accomdodate the SBW circus, is gonna feel upset.
Renegade
Guest
SBW will play for NZ in the Rugby League World Cup.... massive boost for the Kiwis!
Glenn Innis
Guest
Great news - suddenly Australia have a game on their hands.
hemi
Guest
looks like hes has had a change of heart,Sonny Bill Williams is set to provide a huge boost to New Zealand's World Cup defence - and the tournament itself - after making himself available for the Kiwis. Williams was not in the 24 man squad named by New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney earlier today after saying he had other commitments. But the Sydney Roosters and All Blacks superstar has since had a change of heart and advised Kearney he wanted to help the Kiwis win back to back World Cups. www.stuff.co.nz
Col Quinn
Guest
Amazing how inaccurate all these SBW “no more RL” predictions are. SBW has announced his availability for the Kiwis. However, this is still not an indication of his future. Only SBW knows what he will be doing, definitely not any of these Roarers.
Blue
Guest
Has to de-boofhead himself for his move back to rugby. These things take time you know.
John
Guest
kiwiinoz that sounds made up. I don't know anyone in school or club rugby whos 'elitist'. I don't think it's been like that for 20 years? kids nowadays are encouraged to take up both haha so much for your argument
Glenn Innis
Guest
Steve Matai is a big loss for New Zealand as is Kenny - Dowell if I was picking their team and those two were available they would be the centre pairing.Goodwin??? if he plays I think the Australians will see that as a definite avenue to the tryline.
apelu
Guest
I think he will play for Samoa.