Foran and Packer named in Kiwi squad
Kieran Foran has been named in the Kiwis squad for Friday’s Anzac test in Canberra.
The five-eighth, who has been making his way back into the game at the Warriors, was named in David Kidwell’s side for the last mid season test between New Zealand and Australia.
Joining Foran in the team are Simon Mannering and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck who both missed last year’s Four Nations tournament in England through injury.
‘‘First of all, all three of them bring a lot of Mana to our group and that’s hugely important,’’ Kidwell said of the trios return to the national team.
‘‘Simon’s experience in any squad is invaluable, so it’s fantastic to have him fit and ready.
‘‘Kieran’s been playing some good footy this year and his combination with Shaun Johnson and Roger at the back is certainly benefiting from the more time they all spend together too.’’
‘‘I went to his first game, versus the Gold Coast and the way he straightened the attack, was obviously something really good he does for the Warriors and for the Kiwis.
‘‘He’s done a lot of hard work on and off the field and I’m really looking forward to him getting into camp.’’
There are two debutants in the Kiwis team, the Storm’s Nelson Asofa-Solomona, who was outstanding against the Warriors last weekend and Brandon Smith, also from the Storm.
Smith hasn’t made his NRL debut yet, but is seen as a player with a huge future.
‘‘He’s a young guy that we like to bring into camp and he’s someone we see who has a big future in the Kiwis,’’ Kidwell said.
‘‘He plays hooker and that’s a position we need to build depth in.
‘‘Bringing in a guy like that - I know he’s held in high regard at the Melbourne Storm - so we wanted to begin him into this environment and get a taste of it.’’
The selection of interest is the inclusion of Dragons prop Russell Packer, who hasn’t played for the Kiwis since 2011 and has spent time in prison.
‘‘Russell is one of those feel-good stories from where he’s come from. The way he’s playing footy, he’s been consistent and that’s one of the things I wanted to have a look at though all of the guys in the Kiwis team.
‘‘He’s been one of those consistent front rowers who takes it forward and fires those quick plays of the ball.
‘‘The excitement in his voice when I gave him a call last week, he’s really hungry to get back into the Kiwis and that’s something that I want the feel of in the Kiwis environment, that hunger.’’
Manu Ma’u was unavailable for selection due to injury, while there is no place in the team for Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Shaun Kenny-Dowall from the Roosters.