Players from the premiership winning Manly side are expected to dominate the Australian Rugby League side named today for the World Cup and the Warriors should dominate the New Zealand squad.
Up to nine Sea Eagles could make the Australian squad, while the Manly centre Steve Matai is a certain selection for the Kiwi's if he gets the all-clear to delay surgery on his troublesome shoulder until after the tournament.
The Kiwis were running through medical checks yesterday with the other main concern, that of fullback Brent Webb, who missed Leed's SuperLeague win over St Helens at the weekend because of a back problem.
Parramatta's Nathan Cayless is likely to captain the Kiwi's again while Wigan's Thomas Leuluai could edge Nathan Fien for the halfbacks job.
The Kiwi's will not have the services of key forwards Sonny Bill Williams, Roy Asotasi and Frank Pritchard.
While Warriors will have a strong presence in the Kiwi's lineup, 2 of their players, Brent Tait and Steve Price have a big chance of making the Australian team.