Three more players have been added to the Kiwis’ train-on squad to prepare for the end-of-season tour to England.
Vodafone Warriors-bound hooker Issac Luke, centre Bryson Goodwin and wing Jason Nightingale join the 14 players initially named.
An omission from the train-on group is former Kiwi captain and halfback Benji Marshall, whose NRL season ended when he left the field with an ankle injury during St George Illawarra’s finals loss to the Bulldogs.
Regardless of his fitness, the Kiwi selectors will take the opportunity to develop depth in the halves, with a view to the future.
Train-on camps will begin next week in Auckland and Sydney, with the 23-strong touring side to be announced soon after the NRL grand final on October 4.
2015 TRAIN-ON SQUAD
Parramatta | Manu Ma’u
Penrith | Lewis Brown, Sam McKendry, Elijah Taylor, Dean Whare
Manly | Kieran Foran, Peta Hiku
South Sydney | Bryson Goodwin, Issac Luke
St George Illawarra | Jason Nightingale
Vodafone Warriors | Solomone Kata, Tuimoala Lolohea, Simon Mannering, Ben Matulino, Bodene Thompson
Wests Tigers | Manaia Cherrington, Tim Simona, Martin Taupau