Shaun Johnson called in wider Kiwis squad for Rugby League World Cup. Photo: Photosport
Kiwis coach Michael Maguire has called-up 10 additional players to the wider Rugby League World Cup squad ahead of the tournament in the United Kingdom starting next month.
Experienced Kiwis Shaun Johnson, Kodi Nikorima and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves along with Corey Harawira-Naera, Braden Hamlin-Uele and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who all made their Test debuts in 2019, join the squad after not playing in the Kiwis' mid-year Test.
Also included are Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs hooker Jeremy Marshall-King and Parramatta Eels winger Bailey Simonsson.
The only two new faces are in-form Canberra centres Sebastian Kris and Matthew Timoko who were instrumental in the Raiders' surge into week two of the NRL finals after eliminating Melbourne Storm 28-20 on Saturday night.
The Kiwis squad now sits at 34 players.
Of the 25 players named in the extended squad for the 26-6 win over Mate Ma'a Tonga in June only Gold Coast hooker Erin Clark isn't included after being ruled out following knee surgery.
Seven of the players are yet to make their Test debuts for the Kiwis - Kris, Timoko, Marshall-King, Simonsson, Griffin Neame, Jordan Riki and Scott Sorensen - but Neame, Riki and Sorensen were in camp for the Tonga Test.
The size of the squad gives Maguire options while the NRL finals are playing out.
"We're excited about the depth of players available and the form they're in. The vast majority of them are in sides that made it into the finals which is a real positive as we look ahead to the tournament," Maguire said.
The Kiwis will assemble in Sydney on 27 September to train for before flying to England on 30 September.
Players selected from the two teams in the NRL grand final will travel separately the following week.
The New Zealanders will warm up for their world cup campaign with a match against the Leeds Rhinos at Headingley on 8 October when 2008 World Cup winner Thomas Leuluai will be guest captain in the final match of his decorated career before retiring.
The Kiwis will then move to their RLWC base in York.
Their opening Pool C match is against Lebanon in Warrington on 16 October followed by Jamaica in Hull on 22 October and Ireland in Leeds on 28 October.
Kiwis RLWC Wider Squad
Nelson Asofa-Solomona Melbourne Storm
Jesse Bromwich Melbourne Storm
Kenneath Bromwich Melbourne Storm
Dylan Brown Parramatta Eels
James Fisher-Harris Penrith Panthers
Kieran Foran Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Braden Hamlin-Uele Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
Corey Harawira-Naera Canberra Raiders
Peta Hiku North Queensland Cowboys
Jahrome Hughes Melbourne Storm
Shaun Johnson Warriors
Sebastian Kris Canberra Raiders
Moses Leota Penrith Panthers
Isaac Liu Gold Coast Titans
Joseph Manu Sydney Roosters
Jeremy Marshall-King Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs
Te Maire Martin Brisbane Broncos
Ken Maumalo Wests Tigers
Ronaldo Mulitalo Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
Griffin Neame North Queensland Cowboys
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad Canberra Raiders
Briton Nikora Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
Kodi Nikorima South Sydney Rabbitohs
Marata Niukore Parramatta Eels
Isaiah Papali'i Parramatta Eels
Jordan Rapana Canberra Raiders
Jordan Riki Brisbane Broncos
Bailey Simonsson Parramatta Eels
Brandon Smith Melbourne Storm
Scott Sorensen Penrith Panthers
Joseph Tapine Canberra Raiders
Matthew Timoko Canberra Raiders
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves Sydney Roosters
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak Warriors