New Zealand have named a 15-man train-on squad ahead of the international series against England which starts at the KC Stadium, Hull, on Sunday November 1 (5.00pm).
The 15 players, whose teams will not feature in the NRL finals series, will start their training camps on Wednesday September 23 in Auckland and Sydney. The 23-man touring side will be selected shortly after the NRL Grand Final on Sunday October 4.
New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney has given five new players the opportunity to train with the squad as they aim to make the team for the international series – Tuimoala Lolohea and Solomone Kata (NZ Warriors); Manu Ma’u (Parramatta Eels); Tim Simona and Manaia Cherrington (Wests Tigers).
Also included are Dean Whare, Kieran Foran, Simon Mannering, Ben Matulino and Elijah Taylor. All featured in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup semi-final against England at Wembley Stadium and will know what awaits them as the ‘Wall of White’ look to avenge Shaun Johnson’s heart-breaking last-minute try.
Kearney confirmed he is happy with the depth of his player pool: “In some positions we would like to have some more depth, but we’re pleased with the group we’ve picked already considering we still have a fair few players still in the finals series, which is a positive for us.”
New Zealand train-on squad first group:
Lewis Brown (Penrith Panthers)
Elijah Taylor (Penrith Panthers)
Dean Whare (Penrith Panthers)
Sam McKendry (Penrith Panthers)
Manaia Cherrington (Wests Tigers)
Tim Simona (Wests Tigers)
Martin Taupau (Wests Tigers)
Kieran Foran (Manly Sea Eagles)
Peta Hiku (Manly Sea Eagles)
Solomone Kata (NZ Warriors)
Tuimoala Lolohea (NZ Warriors)
Simon Mannering (NZ Warriors)
Ben Matulino (NZ Warriors)
Bodene Thompson (NZ Warriors)
Manu Ma’u (Parramatta Eels)
The three-game series against New Zealand starts at the KC Stadium, Hull on Sunday November 1 (5.00pm) moving on to The Stadium at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London on Saturday November 7 (2.30pm). The series concludes at the DW Stadium, Wigan on Saturday November 14 (1.00pm).
Tickets to the three-game New Zealand series cost from £22 for adults and £10 for concessions per game. A three-match package costing just £45 for adults and £22.50 for concessions is also available. To purchase tickets please visit www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk or call the Rugby League Ticket Hotline on 0844 856 1113.