Latest News Kiwis name strong Four Nations squad
| Kiwis name strong Four Nations squad |
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| Monday, 06 September 2010 16:13 |
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Players from NRL top eight sides provide 31 of the 43 players named by the New Zealand selectors in the Kiwis train-on squad to prepare for the 2010 Four Nations campaign and a one-off Test against Samoa in October-November.
The Warriors have the biggest contingent with 11 players while the Sydney Roosters have six players included.
All 17 players used in this year's Anzac Test against Australia along with 18th man Alex Glenn have been named along with 2008 World Cup-winning Kiwis Thomas Leuluai (Wigan) and Greg Eastwood (Leeds), the only players included from English Super League sides. Kiwi coach Stephen Kearney said he and fellow selectors Howie Tamati, Tony Iro and Tawera Nikau were excited so many contenders were in good form at the business end of the NRL season. "The fact we have so many of the train-on squad involved in finals football starting this weekend is a major boost for us," he said. "It has to be beneficial having such a significant number with the chance of going well into the finals, perhaps all the way to the grand final. "Again some exciting new faces have come through this season while players we are familiar with have also continued to push their claims. "As selectors we're encouraged by the spread and depth we have in all positions and believe we are in a good position to select a strong squad for the Four Nations in October." Of the 43 players named, 12 are yet to make their New Zealand debuts. Warriors winger Kevin Locke and South Sydney back rower Eddy Pettybourne were both in the Kiwis' official touring party for last year's Four Nations in England and France but didn't make it onto the field while Warriors second rower Ukuma Ta'ai and Manly winger Tony Williams have both previously represented Tonga. Their eligibility is to be confirmed with the Rugby League International Federation. The other eight players yet to make their Kiwi debuts are the Brisbane duo Alex Glenn and Antonio Winterstein, Penrith prop Sam McKendry, South Sydney winger Fetuli Talanoa, the young Sydney Roosters pair Joseph Leilua and Mose Masoe and Warriors forwards Lewis Brown and Russell Packer. Thirteen of the 16 NRL clubs have players included in the squad. The only clubs without a representative are North Queensland, Gold Coast and Cronulla. The Kiwis begin their end-of-season international programme with their historic first-ever Test against Samoa at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland on October 16, the second leg of a doubleheader preceded by England taking on the New Zealand Maori. The final Kiwis squad for the Four Nations and the Test against Samoa is due to be named a few days after the NRL grand final on October 3. Kiwis' train-on squad: |