Kiwis name initial train-on squad for England tour

New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney has named his initial train-on for the Kiwis’ tour of England this autumn.

The group consists of players whose teams have been eliminated from the NRL play-offs.

Penrith forward Elijah Taylor has been named in the party, despite currently recovering from a broken thumb.

The larger Kiwis squad will be made up of about 40 players eventually, and more names will be added over the next month as the players’ seasons end.

Train-on camps will begin on September 23 in Auckland and Sydney, with the 23-strong touring side to be announced soon after the NRL Premiership Grand Final on October 4.

KWIS INITIAL TRAIN-ON SQUAD

Lewis Brown (Penrith Panthers), Manaia Cherrington (Wests Tigers), Kieran Foran (Manly Sea Eagles), Peta Hiku (Manly Sea Eagles), Solomone Kata (NZ Warriors), Tuimoala Lolohea (NZ Warriors), Simon Mannering (NZ Warriors), Ben Matulino (NZ Warriors), Manu Ma’u (Parramatta Eels), Sam McKendry (Penrith Panthers), Tim Simona (Wests Tigers), Martin Taupau (Wests Tigers), Elijah Taylor (Penrith Panthers), Bodene Thompson (NZ Warriors), Dean Whare (Penrith Panthers)