NEW ZEALAND have named their 23-man World Cup squad with Dane Gagai and Kalyn Ponga set to debut.
Included is Sydney Roosters’ NRL Grand Final winner Naufahu Whyte, but New Zealand Warriors understandably have the most call-ups with six including fellow Dally M Team of the Year forwards Erin Clark and James Fisher-Harris.
Jacob Laban, Te Maire Martin, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Tanner Stowers-Smith will also don the Kiwis shirt after excellent seasons with the Warriors.
Newcastle Knights stars Gagai and Ponga have both switched allegiance from Australia, with Jacob Laban and Stowers-Smith the other potential debutants.
Matthew Timoko has been dropped, Phoenix Crossland left out due to a three-game suspension, and Dylan Brown is injured.
Head coach Stacey Jones, who was appointed in February 2024, 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.
“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.”
New Zealand open their tournament on October 15 against Australia, before going up against Fiji and the Cook Islands.
New Zealand 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 Sharks), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (New Zealand Warriors), Briton Nikora (Cronulla 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 Bulldogs), Naufahu Whyte (Sydney Roosters), Xavier Willison (Brisbane Broncos).
