Tuesday 9 September 2014 16:13, UK
New Zealand have left half-back Benji Marshall out of their train-on squad for the upcoming Four Nations Series.
The 29-year-old former Kiwis captain returned to rugby league to play for St George Illawarra in May following a brief stint in union with the Blues and has shown glimpses of a return to form.
But this has not been enough to force his way into the 21-man squad of Stephen Kearney, who has instead stuck with his half-backs from last year’s World Cup, Shaun Johnson and Kieran Foran, and also included former Wigan and London Broncos hooker or half-back Thomas Leuluai.
Kearney is without New Zealand Warriors utility player Ben Henry, who is facing knee surgery, and Penrith stand-off Isaac John, who has been out since May after tearing an Achilles tendon.
Suaia Matagi and Fa'amanu Brown, who are among 11 potential New Zealand debutants, have also been named in Samoa's squad but the Kiwi selectors are confident they will opt for them if given the choice.
New Zealand’s first Four Nations game is against Australia in Brisbane on 25 October, on the same day that England take on tournament debutants Samoa.
New Zealand squad: G Beale (St George Illawarra), A Blair (Wests Tigers), F Brown (Cronulla), S Feki (Cronulla), D Fusitua (NZ Warriors), S Havili (NZ Warriors), V Holmes (Cronulla), K Hurrell (NZ Warriors), S Johnson (NZ Warriors), N Laumape (NZ Warriors), T Leuluai (NZ Warriors), S Mannering (NZ Warriors), S Matagi (NZ Warriors), B Matulino (NZ Warriors), M McIlrick (Canberra), J Nightingale (St George Illawarra), S Sue (Wests Tigers), B Takairangi (Wests Tigers), M Taupau (Wests Tigers), B Thompson (Wests Tigers), M Vatuvei (NZ Warriors).
