New Zealand squad named for Four Nations
NRL finalists have provided the bulk of New Zealand's 43-strong Four Nations train-on squad announced on Monday.
Thirty-one come from teams involved in the NRL finals, with the Warriors providing 11 players on their own, easily the biggest contribution.
The most improved team in the NRL, last year's wooden spooners the Sydney Roosters, provided six led by boom centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall.
The Kiwis also named shamed Manly centre Steve Matai, who is likely to miss the entire tournament after being charged with a grade three reckless high tackle, which carries a minimum seven-match ban.
If Matai fights the charge and loses, he could miss nine matches, though he was named alongside Sea Eagles team-mates Kieran Foran and Tony Williams.
All 17 players used in this year's Test against Australia along with 18th man Alex Glenn have been named with two players from English Super League sides, 2008 World Cup-winners Thomas Leuluai (Wigan) and Greg Eastwood (Leeds).
Coach Stephen Kearney said was excited so many contenders were in good form at the business end of the NRL season.
"It has to be beneficial having such a significant number with the chance of going well into the finals, perhaps all the way to the grand final," he said.
New Zealand and Australia are to host the Four Nations tournament also featuring England and Papua New Guinea.
Of the 43 players named, 12 are yet to make their New Zealand debuts.
Thirteen of the 16 NRL clubs have players in the squad, the exceptions being North Queensland, Gold Coast and Cronulla.
The Kiwis begin their end-of-season international program against Samoa in Auckland on October 16.
Kiwis train-on squad: Alex Glenn, Antonio Winterstein (Broncos), Bryson Goodwin, Ben Roberts (Bulldogs), Bronson Harrison (Raiders), Greg Eastwood (Leeds Rhinos), Kieran Foran, Steve Matai, Tony Williams (Sea Eagles), Adam Blair, Sika Manu (Storm), Junior Sa'u, Zeb Taia ( Knights), Krisnan Inu, Fuifui Moimoi (Eels), Sam McKendry, Frank Pritchard (Panthers), Nathan Fien, Jason Nightingale, Jeremy Smith (Dragons), Roy Asotasi, Issac Luke, Eddy Pettybourne, Fetuli Talanoa (Rabbitohs), Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Joseph Leilua, Mose Masoe, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Sam Perrett, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Roosters), Lewis Brown, Aaron Heremaia, Lance Hohaia, Kevin Locke, Simon Mannering, Ben Matulino, Russell Packer, Sam Rapira, Jerome Ropati, Ukuma Ta'ai, Manu Vatuvei (Warriors), Benji Marshall (Tigers), Thomas Leuluai (Wigan Warriors).
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