The Kiwis World Cup squad has been named, with Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai among four potential debutants in coach Stacey Jones’ 23-man group and James Fisher-Harris again captain.
New Zealand Rugby League confirmed the squad on Tuesday 6 October in its official release, and the Kiwis open the tournament against Australia at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Thursday 15 October.
Ponga and Gagai among four debutants
Ponga, the 2023 Dally M Medallist, pledged his allegiance to New Zealand this year after eligibility rule changes, the NZRL said. Knights teammate Gagai is also in after the IRL Board approved his switch. Both played in the Knights’ 19-18 Grand Final loss to the Roosters.
Warriors duo Jacob Laban and Tanner Stowers-Smith are the other potential debutants. The Warriors have six players in the squad and Penrith four, warriors.kiwi reported.
Fisher-Harris leads, Hughes returns
Fisher-Harris captains the side again after being named Dally M Captain of the Year and Prop of the Year. Roosters premiership winner Naufahu Whyte is also named, while Storm star Jahrome Hughes returns after an injury-enforced international break.
Only one specialist hooker
Jeremy Marshall-King is the only specialist hooker picked, the NZ Herald reported, with Phoenix Crossland suspended until the semi-finals and Brandon Smith unavailable. Jones said Crossland could still be picked if injuries arise, the Herald reported.
What Stacey Jones said
“We’re very excited for this World Cup campaign. We’ve been building towards this over the past few years, and winning the Pacific Championships last year was a big step in that journey,” Jones said.
“I’m confident in this squad. We’ve got a good mix of experienced players who have been part of the team for a long time, and some new blood who all bring great talent.”
Kiwis 23-man World Cup squad
- Erin Clark (New Zealand Warriors)
- James Fisher-Harris (New Zealand Warriors)
- Dane Gagai (Newcastle Knights)
- Jahrome Hughes (Melbourne Storm)
- Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins)
- Keano Kini (Gold Coast Titans)
- Jacob Laban (New Zealand Warriors)
- Moses Leota (Penrith Panthers)
- Jeremy Marshall-King (Dolphins)
- Te Maire Martin (New Zealand Warriors)
- Casey McLean (Penrith Panthers)
- Ronaldo Mulitalo (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
- Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (New Zealand Warriors)
- Briton Nikora (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
- Kodi Nikorima (Dolphins)
- Isaiah Papali’i (Penrith Panthers)
- Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle Knights)
- Scott Sorensen (Penrith Panthers)
- Tanner Stowers-Smith (New Zealand Warriors)
- Joseph Tapine (Canberra Raiders)
- Leo Thompson (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
- Naufahu Whyte (Sydney Roosters)
- Xavier Willison (Brisbane Broncos)
Kiwis World Cup fixtures
- Australia v New Zealand: Thursday 15 October, 8:05pm AEDT, Allianz Stadium, Sydney
- New Zealand v Cook Islands: Sunday 25 October, 4:05pm AEDT, One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
- New Zealand v Fiji: Saturday 31 October, 3:30pm AEDT, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
The World Cup final is at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Sunday 15 November.
More News
- NRL: Dane Gagai Cleared for Kiwis Switch Ahead of World Cup
- NRL: Kangaroos Squad Named for World Cup, Sam Walker Picked
- NRL: Roosters Beat Knights 19-18 in Grand Final Thriller
- NRL: Samoa World Cup Squad Named, Luai and To’o In, Haas Out
- NRL: Tonga World Cup Squad Named, Frizell and Taumalolo Picked
