The first additions to the NZ Kiwis training squad have been named ahead of their upcoming tour of England, and include five potential rookies.
Warriors Tuimoala Lolohea and Solomone Kata, Paramatta's Manu Mau and Wests Tigers' Tim Simona and Manaia Cherrington are among the 14 players whose teams have been eliminated from NRL playoff contention, named today. None have played for the Kiwis before.
Warriors forward Bodene Thompson – part of last year's Four Nations-winning squad – has also been named in the national side.
Other players named in the first group are Lewis Brown (Penrith Panthers), Manaia Cherrington (Wests Tigers), Kieran Foran (Manly Sea Eagles), Peta Hiku (Manly Sea Eagles), Simon Mannering (Warriors), Ben Matulino (Warriors), Sam McKendry (Penrith Panthers), Martin Taupau (Wests Tigers) and Dean Whare (Penrith Panthers).
More names will be added to the squad after each week of the finals.
Warriors Manu Vatuvei, Shaun Johnson, Thomas Leuluai and Sydney Roosters Jared Warea-Hargreaves are already ruled out of the tour due to injury.
Train-on camps will begin in Auckland and Sydney on September 23. The final 23-strong touring side will be named after the NRL grand final on October 4.
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