New Zealand name four uncapped players in Four Nations series squad
Tuesday 7 October 2014 10:29, UK
New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney has named four uncapped players in his squad for the Four Nations Series.
Penrith winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Cronulla utility player Sosaia Feki, North Queensland second rower Jason Taumalolo and New Zealand Warriors prop Suaia Matagi are all in a 24-man party.
Sydney Roosters' Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves have withdrawn from the tournament, which features Samoa, England and Australia, but there is a place for former Super League player Thomas Leuluai.
They've all had great seasons in the NRL and this will be a chance for them to show they can step up and contribute at the next level.
"We're really excited for the new players," said Kearney. "They've all had great seasons in the NRL and this will be a chance for them to show they can step up and contribute at the next level.
"We get a few older heads back for this campaign - they will provide some experience and hopefully will feed off the energy and passion from those younger guys.
"We're very focused on building a team and culture that will see us challenge for the next Rugby League World Cup in 2017, so these new players now have a chance to become part of that long-term process."
Squad: Beale, Blair, Bromwich, Brown, Eastwood, Feki, Foran, Harris, Havili, Hiku, Johnson, Kenny-Dowall, Leuluai, Luke, Mannering, Matagi, Moa, Nightingale, Proctor, Taumalolo, Taupau, Vatuvei, Watene-Zelezniak, Whare.
