Axed pair back for Kiwis
Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor are back in the Kiwis’ wider training squad more than a year on from being caught up in a Canberra drug bust.
The paid were dumped following the Anzac test in May last year when they were caught trying to purchase cocaine outside a Canberra nightclub, but were named in coach Michael Maguire’s wider squad yesterday.
The incident also cost Proctor the captaincy of his NRL club, the Gold Coast Titans, who fined him $20,000 and suspended him for four games.
Proctor hasn’t played for his country since, while Bromwich was in line to play in the Denver test against England before he was struck down with injury.
Proctor said in August he had been on a redemption path since and was among a group of players Maguire had consulted as they regroup from the side’s disappointing Rugby League World Cup campaign.
New Zealand host Australia on October 13 in Auckland and Proctor said his aim was to be there.
‘‘I’ve been speaking to Madge a little bit,’’ the 17-test veteran said.
‘‘It’d mean the world; you get to right all your wrongs I guess, and put some pride back in the jersey.
‘‘Getting back into the New Zealand side has always been a dream.’’
Maguire had previously indicated he wanted to bring the pair back into the fold.