ozbash
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Prospective Kiwis debutants Ben Henry and Alehana Mara have been included in the New Zealand Rugby League's preliminary squad for the trans-Tasman test against the Kangaroos in Townsville next month.
Meanwhile, winger Jason Nightingale unavailable due to knee surgery.
Nightingale was a notable omission from the 12-man group comprising players whose clubs are not involved in the NRL finals series.
The St George Illawarra wing/fullback has been an automatic selection in the Kiwis in recent years, opening up competition to occupy a flank for the one-off international on October 13.
One-test Kiwi wing Matt Duffie (Melbourne Storm) is already out of contention with a season-ending shoulder injury which also required an operation.
Sydney Rooster-turned Canterbury Bulldog Sam Perrett shapes as a potential candidate to resume his international career as Nightingale's replacement.
Centre and second-rower Henry, who made his first grade debut for the New Zealand Warriors in the opening round of the 2012 campaign, and teammate Mara (hooker) are the only uncapped players in the train-on squad named today by selectors Richie Barnett, Tony Iro, Tawera Nikau and coach Stephen Kearney.
Warriors fullback Kevin Locke, who missed April's Anzac Test defeat in Auckland due to injury, is again unavailable for selection as he recuperates from a high ankle sprain.
Australian-born Dragons and former Warriors utility Nathan Fien is also missing from the side that lost at Eden Park - the clash signalled his retirement from representative football.
Despite their dismal season the Warriors supply seven players including out of form halfback Shaun Johnson, who made his test debut in April.
Players will be added to the squad as they their clubs are eliminated from premiership contention, starting this weekend.
Kiwis train-on squad: Sam McKendry (Penrith Panthers), Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters), Ben Henry, Shaun Johnson, Simon Mannering, Alehana Mara, Ben Matulino, Elijah Taylor, Manu Vatuvei (New Zealand Warriors),
www.stuff.co.nz
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/7618903/Mara-and-Henry-in-Kiwis-train-on-squad
Meanwhile, winger Jason Nightingale unavailable due to knee surgery.
Nightingale was a notable omission from the 12-man group comprising players whose clubs are not involved in the NRL finals series.
The St George Illawarra wing/fullback has been an automatic selection in the Kiwis in recent years, opening up competition to occupy a flank for the one-off international on October 13.
One-test Kiwi wing Matt Duffie (Melbourne Storm) is already out of contention with a season-ending shoulder injury which also required an operation.
Sydney Rooster-turned Canterbury Bulldog Sam Perrett shapes as a potential candidate to resume his international career as Nightingale's replacement.
Centre and second-rower Henry, who made his first grade debut for the New Zealand Warriors in the opening round of the 2012 campaign, and teammate Mara (hooker) are the only uncapped players in the train-on squad named today by selectors Richie Barnett, Tony Iro, Tawera Nikau and coach Stephen Kearney.
Warriors fullback Kevin Locke, who missed April's Anzac Test defeat in Auckland due to injury, is again unavailable for selection as he recuperates from a high ankle sprain.
Australian-born Dragons and former Warriors utility Nathan Fien is also missing from the side that lost at Eden Park - the clash signalled his retirement from representative football.
Despite their dismal season the Warriors supply seven players including out of form halfback Shaun Johnson, who made his test debut in April.
Players will be added to the squad as they their clubs are eliminated from premiership contention, starting this weekend.
Kiwis train-on squad: Sam McKendry (Penrith Panthers), Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters), Ben Henry, Shaun Johnson, Simon Mannering, Alehana Mara, Ben Matulino, Elijah Taylor, Manu Vatuvei (New Zealand Warriors),
www.stuff.co.nz
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/7618903/Mara-and-Henry-in-Kiwis-train-on-squad
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