Eight Test debutants have been named in the New Zealand train-on squad for the one-off test against Australia next month and the Four Nations campaign in England.
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Kiwi certainties Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Peta Hiku, Dean Whare, Kieran Foran and Kodi Nikorima have all already been ruled out but 11 Warriors – including internationals Simon Mannering, Issac Luke, Thomas Leuluai, Manu Vatuvei, Ben Matulino and Shaun Johnson - add experience to the 23-man squad.
The squad will be added to as teams drop out of the finals – but the final squad of 24 won’t be named until the week after the grand final.
The first Kiwi train-on players are:
Manly Sea Eagles: Lewis Brown, Addin Fonua-Blake, Martin Taupau
Parramatta Eels: Manu Ma'u, Brad Takairangi
St George Illawarra Dragons: Jason Nightingale
Sydney Roosters: Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Isaac Liu, Sam Moa, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
New Zealand Warriors: David Fusitu’a, Shaun Johnson, Solomone Kata, Thomas Leuluai, Sam Lisone, Tuimoala Lolohea, Issac Luke, Simon Mannering, Ben Matulino, Bodene Thompson, Manu Vatuvei
Wests Tigers: Tim Simona, Elijah Taylor
The last time out, the Kiwis were held scoreless, 16-0; the first time New Zealand put up a donut since 2007.
