Johnson to lead NZ in World Cup Nines
SYDNEY: Shaun Johnson will spearhead New Zealand’s World Cup Nines campaign with star fullback Roger TuivasaSheck kept on ice for endofyear tests.
Johnson was unveiled in coach Michael Maguire’s 16man squad yesterday, which also includes young guns Dylan Brown, Braden HamlinUele and Briton Nikora.
But there was no TuivasaSheck, who would have been one of the game’s most exciting players in the shortened format.
The nines will be played in Sydney on October 18 and 19.
New Zealand has three tests following the nines: one against the Kangaroos in Wollongong the following week and two at home against Great Britain.
Benji Marshall and Kieran Foran were also missing but devastating wingers Jordan Rapana and Ken Maumalo have both been named.
‘‘We’ve got players right across this squad who have come off terrific NRL seasons and have earned the privilege to represent New Zealand,’’ Maguire said.
‘‘For us, this is another step towards taking the Kiwi jersey to the place we want it to be.’’
The nines tournament will be the first World Cup in the format. New Zealand is in the same pool as Australia, Papua New Guinea and the United States.
New Zealand Nines squad: Leeson Ah Mau, Dylan Brown, James FisherHarris, Corey HarawiraNaera, Braden HamlinUele, Jamayne Isaako, Shaun Johnson, Jeremy MarshallKing, Ken Maumalo, Briton Nikora, Kodi Nikorima, Kevin Proctor, Jordan Rapana, Bailey Simonsson, Reimis Smith, Joseph Tapine.
South Sydney enforcer Sam Burgess has been forced out of the Great Britain touring squad that will face New Zealand and Papua New Guinea due to a shoulder injury.
The 30yearold suffered a recurrence of a shoulder injury in his club’s NRL preliminary final defeat by Canberra Raiders in August and will undergo surgery in Sydney.
The loss of Burgess, who made his Great Britain debut as an 18yearold against the Kiwis in 2007, is a major blow for Wayne Bennett’s team as it prepares to embark on the first Lions tour for 23 years.
‘‘He’s absolutely gutted, as are we, Rugby Football League director Kevin Sinfield said.
‘‘He’s a leader and a real big character in that dressing room and on the field he’s worldclass, so we’ll certainly miss him.’’ — AAP/BPA
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