Melbourne Storm and ex-All Blacks Sevens star Will Warbrick is one of eight debutants named in the Kiwis squad for their Pacific Championships campaign against the Kangaroos and Tonga this month.
The winger played in the NRL grand final loss to Penrith on Sunday, joining the Storm after winning a silver medal in Sevens at the Tokyo Olympics. He is set to become a rare triple international – having also represented New Zealand’s national AFL team.
He joins Jordan Riki (Brisbane), Erin Clark (Gold Coast), Keano Kini (Gold Coast), Naufahu Whyte (Roosters), Phoenix Crossland (Newcastle), Casey McLean (Penrith) and Trent Toelau (Penrith) as uncapped players in the squad.
The Kiwis are missing several frontline players while star back Joseph Manu has departed for rugby union in Japan.
There is still plenty of talent in the ranks, including Dally M Medal winner Jahrome Hughes of the Storm and Penrith’s premiership winner James Fisher-Harris, who will captain the side after leading the Kiwis to their record 30-0 win over Australia in last year’s Pacific Championships final in Hamilton.
Also returning from that historic win are Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako, Raiders centre Matt Timoko, Hughes, back rowers Isaiah Papali’i (Wests Tigers) and Joseph Tapine (Raiders) and bench forwards Leo Thompson (Knights) and Griffin Neame (Cowboys).
“While we’ve had a number of players ruled out through injury or unavailability, it’s a hugely exciting opportunity having the Kiwis playing at home in front of our fans again,” said new Kiwis head coach Stacey Jones in a statement.
“We’ve still got a solid core of last year’s squad but, the way I see it, it’s a fantastic chance for us to build the group to provide lots of options and depth for following campaigns.”
Ronaldo Mulitalo (knee), Dylan Brown (knee), Kieran Foran (ankle), Moses Leota (shoulder), Brandon Smith (knee), Jeremy Marshall-King (knee), Briton Nikora (ankle), Kayal Iro (hamstring), Te Maire Martin (neck) were all ruled out with injury while Nelson Asofa-Solomona is suspended.
The Kiwis open against the Kangaroos in Christchurch on October 27 and then play Tonga in Auckland on November 2 before the finals.
New Zealand squad
Erin Clark* Gold Coast Titans
Phoenix Crossland* Newcastle Knights
James Fisher-Harris (c) Penrith Panthers
Peta Hiku Hull Kingston Rovers
Jahrome Hughes Melbourne Storm
Jamayne Isaako Dolphins
Keano Kini* Gold Coast Titans
Casey McLean* Penrith Panthers
Griffin Neame North Queensland Cowboys
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad NZ Warriors
Kodi Nikorima Dolphins
Marata Niukore NZ Warriors
Isaiah Papali’i Wests Tigers
Jordan Riki* Broncos
Scott Sorensen Penrith Panthers
Joseph Tapine Canberra Raiders
Leo Thompson Newcastle Knights
Matthew Timoko Canberra Raiders
Trent Toelau* Penrith Panthers
William Warbrick* Melbourne Storm
Naufahu Whyte* Sydney Roosters
* denotes debutant