David Kidwell's first Kiwis squad has a splash of Northland in it, but a rookie with an impressive season was ultimately overlooked.
Brisbane Broncos forward Adam Blair has been chosen for New Zealand's Four Nations campaign, while highly impressive youngster James Fisher-Harris misses out.
Kidwell named five potential debutants: NZ Warriors backs David Fusitu'a and Solomone Kata, promising five-eighth Te Maire Martin, Canberra second row Joseph Tapine and in-form Raiders team-mate Jordan Rapana.
"All of these players have shown exciting form during the NRL season and have certainly earned their selection on merit," says Kidwell.
"But we're always looking one step ahead, whether that's to next year's World Cup or beyond, and we also think all these players can play a big part in keeping the Kiwis on top for many years to come.
"In picking this team, we've tried to achieve a balance between players who are proven at test level and those that are the future of the Kiwis programme. Injuries play an unfortunate part in our game and some of these newcomers will get an immediate opportunity to show they're ready for the next level."
Kiwis regulars unavailable for the up-coming campaign include Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Peta Hiku, Dean Whare, Kieran Foran, Ben Matulino, Alex Glenn and Kodi Nikorima.
Manu Vatuvei is the biggest omission, while rookies Fisher-Harris, Cowboys utility Kalyn Pongia and Storm winger Suliasi Vunivalu were considered but not selected.
Storm prop Jesse Bromwich has retained the captaincy after leading the Kiwis in their Anzac test defeat. Former captain Simon Mannering is also in the squad.
"Jesse did a great job leading the team earlier this year in Simon's absence and, at this stage of his career, I think Simon is just as happy not having the weight of captaincy on him," says Kidwell.
"But, ultimately, they will both be part of a strong leadership group that set a strong culture for this team."
The Kiwis squad will assemble in Perth over next weekend for the test against Australia on October 15.
They open their Four Nations account against hosts England on Sunday, October 30 (NZ time) at Huddersfield, followed by Australia (November 6) and Scotland (November 12).
Kiwis Squad: Jesse Bromwich (captain), Gerard Beale, Adam Blair, Lewis Brown, Greg Eastwood, David Fusitu'a, Tohu Harris, Shaun Johnson, Jordan Kahu, Solomone Kata, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Thomas Leuluai, Issac Luke, Simon Mannering, Te Maire Martin, Manu Ma'u, Jason Nightingale, Kevin Proctor, Jordan Rapana, Joseph Tapine, Jason Taumalolo, Martin Taupau, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.