New Zealand omit former skipper Benji Marshall for tour of England
Friday 18 September 2015 07:47, UK
Former New Zealand skipper Benji Marshall has missed out on selection for the Kiwis' end-of-season tour to England.
The St George Illawarra half-back was omitted from the latest batch of players to be named by coach Stephen Kearney for his train-on squad.
Marshall has not played for New Zealand since 2012 but there was speculation that he might have been in line for a recall due to Shaun Johnson and Thomas Leuluai suffering injuries.
The 30-year-old picked up an ankle injury in his club's 11-10 defeat to Canterbury Bulldogs last weekend but a statement from NZRL claimed the selectors planned to develop depth in the halves with an eye on the future.
It seems likely that the New Zealand Warriors' utility player Tuimoala Lolohea, who has already been named in the squad, and Brisbane Broncos youngster Kodi Nikorima will be considered as partners to Kieran Foran in the halves for the three-match series against England and the warm-up game against Leeds.
The players from the two teams eliminated from the NRL finals last weekend are Dragons winger Jason Nightingale, South Sydney hooker Issac Luke and his club team-mate, centre Bryson Goodwin.
Nightingale and Luke were part of the Kiwis side that beat Australia in this year's Anzac Test, while Goodwin's last appearance was in the 34-2 loss to the Kangaroos in the 2013 World Cup final at Old Trafford.
The wider Kiwis group will consist of around 40 players, with more to be named over the next three weeks as their domestic seasons end.
Train-on camps will begin next week in Auckland and Sydney, with the 23-strong touring squad to be announced soon after the NRL Grand Final on October 4.
