Kieran Foran ruled out of New Zealand side for Rugby League World Cup due to injury

  • 26/09/2017
Kieran Foran ruled out of New Zealand side for Rugby League World Cup due to injury
Photo credit: Getty

Outgoing Warriors half Kieran Foran has been ruled of contention for the New Zealand squad for the Rugby League World Cup due to injury.

NZ Rugby League have confirmed that the 27-year-old will play no part in the tournament after succumbing to ongoing issues with his back and quadriceps.

The decision to prevent him playing was ultimately made by his new club, the Canterbury Bulldogs, who have stepped in to prevent any further harm being done to their prize recruit after a season plagued by injury at the Warriors.

Speculation of his likely withdrawl from the squad arose during the weekend, with Foran admitting he'd played hurt for the majority of his short-lived tenure in Auckland.

“I tore my quad during the season,” Foran told The Sunday Telegraph. “My back’s been pretty stuffed too. I’m busted.

“I played under strength for much of the year at the Warriors and I just wasn’t strong enough for NRL football. I’ve got to get my body right. I really need a big off-season."

The Kiwis are already short-handed with captain Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor both stood down due to recreational drug use following the Four Nations competition.

It's unlikely Foran's absence will do anything for Benji Marshall's chances of a shock international recall, with the NZRL already outruling any possibility of his inclusion.

Veteran Thomas Leuluai is the preferred new No. 6, with Cowboys stand-out Te Maire Martin the probably back-up. 

The World Cup kicks off late next month, with hosting duties shared between Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.

Newshub.