Five debutants named for Kiwis’ test campaign
Five debutants have been picked for the Kiwis’ four-test end of season campaign against Australia and England, three of them from NRL champions the Sydney Roosters.
The Roosters won Sunday’s NRL grand final 21-6 over Melbourne Storm, who have four players in the squad.
Joseph Manu, Jared WaereaHargreaves and Isaac Liu played for the Roosters, while Jahrome Hughes, Jesse Bromwich, Kenny Bromwich and Brandon Smith lined up for Melbourne Storm.
Smith and Manu are among five new caps to make the squad, along with Hughes, Corey Harawira-Naera from the Penrith Panthers and Isaiah Papali’i from the Warriors.
The Kiwis begin their programme against the Kangaroos at Mount Smart Stadium on October 13, followed by a three-test series against England at Hull, Liverpool and Leeds.
After missing the one-off international against England in Denver in June, Warriors trio Adam Blair, Shaun Johnson and Gerard Beale, the Bromwich brothers, Kevin Proctor (Gold Coast) and Jordan Rapana (Canberra) all return to the fold.
Of seven Kiwi debutants for in Denver, wingers Jamayne Isaako (Brisbane) and Ken Maumalo (Warriors), centre Esan Marsters (Wests Tigers) and Warriorsbound front-rower Leeson Ah Mau (St George Illawarra) have been chosen again.
Injury ruled out Raymond Faitala-Mariner (Bulldogs), Slade Griffin (Newcastle) and Herman Ese’ese (Newcastle).
‘‘This is a new era for the Kiwis and that’s again reflected in the make-up of this squad as it was for the Denver test,’’ coach Michael Maguire said.
Maguire said many experienced players had moved on in recent years, such as Simon Mannering, Thomas Leuluai, Manu Vatuvei, Jason Nightingale, Ben Matulino, Kieran Foran and Russell Packer.
Fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is injured, and Melbourne Storm forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona picked up an injury in the NRL grand final. Hooker Issac Luke is also not named.
The Kiwis assemble in Auckland this weekend to prepare for their first test against the Kangaroos on home soil since 2014.