Centre Clinton Toopi is in line to pull on a Kiwi jersey for the first time in more than a year after being included today in a 20-man squad for the second test against Great Britain in Hull this weekend.
He and frontrower Jeff Lima are additions to the squad after both missed the Kiwis' 20-14 defeat in the opening test in Huddersfield last weekend.
Toopi, 27, has appeared in 19 tests, the last against Great Britain in the one-match match at Knowsley Rd in St Helens in June of last year.
He was brought into the tour party as a replacement after playing for the New Zealand All Golds in their win over the Northern Union in Warrington this month.
The former Warrior, who moved to the Leeds Rhinos last year, joined the Kiwis only last weekend after flying home with his family.
He was in New Zealand little more than a day before returning to England.
Melbourne prop Lima, 25, gained his debut cap in the Kiwis' 58-0 centenary test defeat against Australia in Wellington this month.
Coach Gary Kemble, who used a 19-man squad to prepare for his first two tests in charge, said injuries had forced him to extend the number by one.
He said winger Tame Tupou (knee), and forwards Epalahame Lauaki (calf) and Fuifui Moimoi (jaw and neck) were all recovering from injuries.
"They're all making good progress, but it's too early to make a final decision on their availability," he said.
"We'll wait until later in the week before confirming our final line-up."
Tupou, Lauaki and Moimoi have been included in the squad, along with the 14 other players from the first test against the Lions.
Rounding out the 20 are hooker David Faiumu, Toopi and Lima.
The Kiwis are continuing their preparations from their base in Leeds.
They will travel to Hull on Thursday (UK time) for a walk around KC Stadium.
Kiwis squad for second test: Louis Anderson (New Zealand Warriors), Roy Asotasi (South Sydney, captain), Greg Eastwood (Brisbane), David Faiumu (North Queensland), Dene Halatau (Wests Tigers), Shontayne Hape (Bradford), Lance Hohaia (Warriors), Epalahame Lauaki (Warriors), Thomas Leuluai (Wigan), Jeff Lima (Melbourne), Simon Mannering (Warriors), Fuifui Moimoi (Parramatta), Sam Perrett (Sydney Roosters), Frank Pritchard (Penrith Panthers), Sam Rapira, (Warriors), Jeremy Smith, (Melbourne), Clinton Toopi (Leeds Rhinos), Taniela Tuiaki (Wests Tigers), Tame Tupou (Bradford Bulls), Paul Whatuira (Wests Tigers).
