Nine NRL rookies are among the 15 players named on Monday to be part of the New Zealand Kiwis 'A' squad, which will play Tonga 'A' on October 21 at Eden Park in Auckland.
With an eye on developing future Test players, the national selectors have named a group which includes teenagers Jacob Laban and Benjamin Te Kura, alongside first-year NRL players Will Warbrick, Ali Leiataua, Paul Roache, Taine Tuaupiki, Kalani Going and Jack Howarth.
Also part of the group are NRL regulars Bailey Simonsson, Pasami Saulo, Asu Kepaoa and Rocco Berry.
Ahead of playing before the Kiwis v Toa Samoa Test on October 21, the squad will go into camp with the 21-man New Zealand Kiwis squad announced last week for the Pacific Championships and will be topped up with three additional players from the Test squad.
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“It’s really exciting for New Zealand Rugby League being able to bring so many players together at the same time,” Kiwis head coach Michael Maguire said.
The players brought into the New Zealand 'A' squad will all have the opportunity to be in camp with the Kiwis, to train alongside them and to show their potential as future Kiwi internationals.
Michael Maguire
“It’s really important for us to have an opportunity like this, not just for players striving to become Kiwis but also for coaches.”
The team will be coached by former Kiwis captain Nathan Cayless.
New Zealand Kiwis 'A' squad
Rocco Berry (Warriors), Joe Chan (Storm), Zach Dockar-Clay (Roosters), Kalani Going (Warriors), Jack Howarth (Storm), Asu Kepaoa (Wests Tigers), Jacob Laban (Warriors), Ali Leiataua (Warriors), Trey Mooney (Raiders), Paul Roache (Warriors), Pasami Saulo (Raiders), Bailey Simonsson (Eels), Tanner Stowers-Smith (Warriors), Taine Tuaupiki (Warriors), Benjamin Te Kura (Broncos), William Warbrick (Storm).