Rugby league world champions New Zealand has named a powerful line-up boasting nine players from Sunday's NRL grand final for its Four Nations title defence later this month.
Rookie sensation Shaun Johnson was one of seven Warriors named in the 23-man squad to head to England and Wales, his selection along with that of captain Benji Marshall and Manly pivot Kieran Foran giving coach Stephen Kearney a potent playmaking mix.
Johnson was joined in the squad by fellow Warriors stars Kevin Locke, Russell Packer, Lewis Brown, Simon Mannering, Ben Matulino and winger Manu Vatuvei, while the team that beat them in the NRL decider, Manly, will provide Foran and centre Steve Matai.
Six players in the squad - Johnson, Locke, Packer, Brisbane duo Gerard Beale and Alex Glenn and Melbourne's Kevin Proctor - have yet to make their Test debuts.
"There's evidence again that our playing depth is building," Kearney said.
"As usually happens we've had a significant number of players, who couldn't be considered due to injury, but we've still been able to bring together a strong group of players, one we're really pleased with.
"It's a benefit as well that so many of them have played deep into the finals."
The Kiwis were denied the chance to select second rower Frank Pritchard, with the 21-Test veteran opting to switch his allegiances to Samoa ahead of the 2013 World Cup.
The squad will assemble in Sydney on Sunday ahead of the October 16 Test against Australia in Newcastle.
New Zealand, which upset Australia in last year's Four Nations final, will open its title defence against the Kangaroos in Warrington on October 28.
New Zealand: Gerard Beale, Adam Blair, Lewis Brown, Nathan Fien, Kieran Foran, Alex Glenn, Thomas Leuluai, Kevin Locke, Shaun Johnson, Issac Luke, Sam McKendry, Simon Mannering, Sika Manu, Benji Marshall (captain), Steve Matai, Ben Matulino, Fuifui Moimoi, Jason Nightingale, Russell Packer, Kevin Proctor, Jeremy Smith, Manu Vatuvei, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
AAP
Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, new-zealand First posted October 04, 2011 17:25:30
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