NZ Kiwis Kieran Foran Photo: Brett Phibbs/ Photosport
An experienced 21-man Kiwis squad has been named for rugby league's Pacific Championships, with New Zealand kicking off their campaign against Samoa and Tonga later this month.
Kiwis head Coach Stacey Jones has named a squad that is bolstered by a strong core of players from the 2023 Pacific Championship-winning side who were unavailable in 2024 due to injury: Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Storm), Dylan Brown (Eels), Kieran Foran (Titans), Moses Leota (Panthers), and Sharks duo Ronaldo Mulitalo and Briton Nikora.
Thirty one-Test Kiwi Kieran Foran, who recently announced his retirement following the Gold Coast Titans' 2025 campaign, will wear the black and white jersey one final time. The veteran playmaker returns to international duty after receiving the call-up from Jones.
Fresh from an NRL premiership victory with the Brisbane Broncos on Sunday, utility forward Xavier Willison joins the squad for the first time.
Unsurprisingly Melbourne Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes was unavailable for selection due to injury. Hughes had another sensational season with the Storm when he was on the field, but it's been blighted by injuries.
Hughes played in Sunday's NRL final despite having a broken arm.
Following impressive debut international campaigns in 2024, several rising stars return to the fold: middle forward Erin Clark (Warriors), hooker and utility Phoenix Crossland (Knights), fullback Keano Kini (Titans), centre Casey McLean (Panthers), and middle forward Naufahu Whyte (Roosters).
Clark, McLean, and Whyte come off standout NRL seasons that earned them Dally M Team of the Year nominations, with Clark taking out the Lock of the Year award.
Also retaining their places from the last Pacific Championships are Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins), the 2025 NRL top points scorer, alongside Isaiah Papali'i (Panthers), Scott Sorensen (Panthers), Joseph Tapine (Raiders), and Matthew Timoko (Raiders).
2022 World Cup representatives Dolphins hooker Jeremy Marshall-King and Raiders centre Sebastian Kris also return to strengthen the squad.
James Fisher-Harris will once again captain the team, joined in the squad by Warriors teammate Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
The Kiwis begin their campaign against Toa Samoa at Go Media Stadium in Auckland on October 19, having last faced off in 2023. The New Zealanders will reconvene back in Auckland to face Tonga at Eden Park on November 2.
The Pacific Championships finals will be played at CommBank Stadium in Sydney on November 8.
Unavailable for selection:
Jahrome Hughes (Melbourne Storm) - injury
Kodi Nikorima (The Dolphins) - injury
2025 Pacific Championships New Zealand Kiwis:
1. Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Melbourne Storm)
2. Dylan Brown (Parramatta Eels)
3. Erin Clark (New Zealand Warriors)
4. Phoenix Crossland (Newcastle Knights)
5. James Fisher-Harris (c) (New Zealand Warriors)
6. Kieran Foran (Gold Coast Titans)
7. Jamayne Isaako (The Dolphins)
8. Keano Kini (Gold Coast Titans)
9. Sebastian Kris (Canberra Raiders)
10. Moses Leota (Penrith Panthers)
11. Jeremy Marshall-King (The Dolphins)
12. Casey McLean (Penrith Panthers)
13. Ronaldo Mulitalo (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
14. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (New Zealand Warriors)
15. Briton Nikora (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
16. Isaiah Papali'i (Penrith Panthers)
17. Scott Sorensen (Penrith Panthers)
18. Joseph Tapine (Canberra Raiders)
19. Matthew Timoko (Canberra Raiders)
20. Naufahu Whyte (Sydney Roosters)
21. Xavier Willison* (Brisbane Broncos)
*Denotes debutant
