The New Zealand Kiwis yesterday revealed their initial 15-man train-on squad for their upcoming tour of England which will see them play three Tests and one friendly against Challenge Cup champions Leeds Rhinos.
Their squad is as follows:
Lewis Brown (Penrith Panthers; 7 Tests)
Brown has been one of the Panthers’ most consistent forwards this season and is a welcome addition based on his experience playing at the international level.
Manaia Cherrington (Wests Tigers; 0 Tests)
Cherrington is one of the most promising young hookers in the National Rugby League and looks set to take over NSW Blues vice-captain Robbie Farah as first-team hooker at the Wests Tigers. Cherrington is uncapped representing New Zealand at the senior level but has had previous experience as captain of the victorious 2014 Junior Kiwis, and also as a player in the 2013 team.
Kieran Foran (Manly Sea Eagles; 20 Tests)
Foran is all but guaranteed a spot at five-eighth in the squad and will add spark to the side. Stephen Kearney will look to put the Manly five-eighth in a leadership role so that he can step up once Simon Mannering retires and also to help the team fill the void left by 2014 Golden Boot winner Shaun Johnson.
Peta Hiku (Manly Sea Eagles; 6 Tests)
Hiku has been there before, but this season has been relatively quiet. He would make a great inclusion on the wing or at fullback however, there are questions as to whether he is in good enough form to warrant a spot in the team.
Solomone Kata (NZ Warriors; 0 Tests)
What?! Kata is the biggest surprise, even regarding his breakout season as one of the NRL’s best young centres. The Warriors star was born in Neiafu, Tonga and has represented his country of birth twice, turning down offers to represent the Junior Kiwis. Kata only moved to New Zealand in 2011, and was one of a core group devoting their international eligibility to Tonga only (alongside Sika Manu and Koneleti Hurrell).
Tuimoala Lolohea (NZ Warriors; 0 Tests)
A member of the 2013 Junior Kiwis side, Lolohea is one of the rookies of the year. He burst onto the scene with the Junior Warriors in 2013. After playing just 28 matches that year, he soon became a household name in New Zealand starring in the 2014 NRL Auckland Nines as well as being critical in the Warriors’ 2014 NYC premiership. A Kiwis cap looks likely for Lolohea due to the absence of Shaun Johnson and will be a huge occasion in his career.
Simon Mannering (NZ Warriors; 41 Tests)
It comes as no surprise that Mannering has been selected. The current Kiwis captain has already secured a spot in the team for what could potentially be one of his very last tours with his home country.
Ben Matulino (NZ Warriors; 20 Tests)
Matulino is one of the most consistent forwards in the NRL and is feared by his opponents. He is great at offloading, line-breaks and tackle-breaks; moves by which Kearney will wish to use to maximise the skills of players such as Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
Manu Ma’u (Parramatta Eels; 0 Tests)
Manu Ma’u has come a long way from jail in Auckland and has managed to completely turn his life around. Once an urban myth of Auckland, only playing NSW Cup in New Zealand and never travelling due to visa constraints, a Kiwis test cap will be a huge moment in his career.
Sam McKendry (Penrith Panthers; 8 Tests)
McKendry has been quiet in the Panthers’ injury-plagued 2015 season and has been largely overshadowed by rookie Fijian Reagan Campbell-Gillard. His silent performances however have been pivotal in most of the Panthers’ wins and equally important in stopping their opponents from having a field day and putting upwards of 30 points on them.
Tim Simona (Wests Tigers; 0 Tests)
Simona was a stand-out in last year’s Four Nations tournament for Samoa, proving himself as a versatile player that can be positioned anywhere from fullback, wing, centre or five-eighth. This flexibility will be in need from Stephen Kearney as there remain only three contenders for the Kiwis’ halves and a back-up such as the Tigers’ star would be welcome.
Martin Taupau (Wests Tigers; 6 Tests)
Boom! There is no doubt Taupau will make an impact if he is selected. He is sure to ruffle the feathers of England’s forward pack and could collide with the likes of Sean O’Loughlin and Ben Jones-Bishop. Taupau will lead the Kiwis’ forwards charge as they look to further distance themselves from Australia on the RLIF Rankings.
Elijah Taylor (Penrith Panthers; 10 Tests)
Just like McKendry, Taylor has been an important cog in the Panthers’ machine for the 2015 season and also 2014. If it wasn’t for Penrith’s forward pack, the Panthers would have come last by a mile (with injuries). Taylor will offer a lot of go forward and will provide the perfect mix of leadership and youth.
Bodene Thompson (NZ Warriors; 0 Tests)
His time has finally come. Bodene Thompson was in recent years, one of the most consistent forwards for the Titans and Tigers, and now after returning to New Zealand he has finally been recognised as an international-calibre player. Thompson’s inclusion is a 50-50 call, the positive coming with his experience playing first grade and the negative with his lack thereof at an international level.
Dean Whare (Penrith Panthers; 9 Tests)
Dean Whare was a standout in the Penrith backline, combining with David Simmons as one of the most lethal left sides in the NRL, despite Penrith’s poor season. Whare will not have the recently retired Sharks junior by his side and will instead slot straight back into the test side where he will likely be partnered with the likes of Jason Nightingale or possibly Curtis Rona. If Whare can emulate his form against Leeds he may be a chance at retaining his spot in the national team.
The big question regarding the Kiwis’ Test team is who will step in to Shaun Johnson’s shoes? Foran will likely play five-eighth with the option for either Lolohea or Benji Marshall (currently competing in the NRL finals). Castleford star Ben Roberts is the only other option.
UPDATE: October 8
Kearney has named his finalised his 23-man squad. It is as follows: Gerard Beale, Adam Blair, Jesse Bromwich, Lewis Brown, Alex Glenn, Tohu Harris, Peta Hiku, Jordan Kahu, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Isaac Liu, Tuimoala Lolohea, Issac Luke, Ben Matulino, Sam Moa, Jason Nightingale, Kodi Nikorima, Kevin Proctor, Curtis Rona, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Jason Taumalolo, Martin Taupau, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Dean Whare.
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All the team list information for Round 9.
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