Sport

Kiwis squad boosted for World Cup

13:30 pm on 15 September 2022

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