Barnstorming prop James Tamou has credited Cowboys captain Matt Scott for his New Zealand selection and is desperate to "thank" him in Four Nations battle.

Tamou and fellow Cowboy Kalifa Faifai Loa were on Wednesday added to the Kiwis train-on squad after North Queensland were bundled out of the NRL play-offs on the weekend.

The 22-year-old front-rower still must make the final cut but would love nothing more than playing opposite Scott in two trans-Tasman Tests in Newcastle and England next month.

Tamou said the Kangaroo, Queensland and Cowboy prop had been a secret to his own success after making his NRL debut with North Queensland in 2009.

"I owe him a lot," he said. "Just watching him and just what he's taught me, I can't go past the fact he's helped me in my career.

"It's been said before, Matty Scott is the best front-rower in the world and to play beside him is awesome, but to play against him and wear the black and white jersey would be an honour."

The Kiwis begin their international program against the Cook Islands on October 6 at Rarotonga before playing Australia in their last Four Nations warm-up in Newcastle on October 16.

The two nations kick off the end-of-season tournament on October 28 in Warrington.

The addition of the two Cowboys gives New Zealand an initial train-on squad of 11 players from the clubs no longer involved in NRL action.

None of Newcastle's Kiwi players were included following their elimination loss to Melbourne with nine-Test centre Junior Sau (knee) not considered.

Kiwis train-on squad: Frank Pritchard, Bronson Harrison, Josh Papalii, Jeremy Smith, Kalifa Faifai Loa, James Tamou, Fuifui Moimoi, Sam McKendry, Issac Luke, Sam Perrett, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

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