KEY POINTS:
Hooker Nathan Fien, the centre of the "grannygate" row a year ago, was today added to the Kiwis rugby league train-on squad.
The former Queensland State of Origin hooker was ruled ineligible to play for New Zealand during last year's Tri-Nations series after already having appeared in two
tests for the Kiwis.
The ruling came after it was revealed that his great-grandmother, and not his grandmother as required, was New Zealand-born.
However, Fien, 28, will be eligible to turn out for the Kiwis' next test, against Australia in Wellington on October 14, under another criterion - he has lived in Auckland for the past three years.
New Kiwis coach Gary Kemble said he had spoken to Fien and the New Zealand Warrior was keen to don the Kiwis jumper again.
Kemble did not expect any negative reaction to the Mount Isa-born Fien's inclusion in the squad.
"At the end of the day, the rules and regulations are set in place by the International Rugby League Federation and we abide by those rules," he said.
"We will select any players available under those rules if they are the best available."
The latest list of 11 names for the train-on squad involves players from National Rugby League (NRL) and European Super League clubs eliminated from the competitions' playoffs at the weekend.
Among them is injured star forward Sonny Bill Williams, whose inclusion is subject to the results of X-rays he is expected to have today.
Williams hurt his right forearm in the eighth minute of the Bulldogs' 6-25 loss to Parramatta in their NRL elimination semifinal last Saturday night.
There were fears that he had suffered a fracture, although the injury did not prevent the back rower from going back on to the field with padding on the forearm.
Kemble said the extent of the problem was not yet known.
"They let it settle down and at this stage we don't know until the X-rays," he said.
"But he's got his fingers crossed that it's just badly bruised."
Also added to the squad was Warrington back rower Vinnie Anderson, whose club just failed to make the Super League post-season despite a 34-26 win over Salford at the weekend.
After the test against the Kangaroos, the Kiwis tour England and France.
Train-on squad additions: Louis Anderson, Nathan Fien, Lance Hohaia, Epalahame Lauaki, Simon Mannering, Sam Rapira, Evarn Tuimavave (all New Zealand Warriors); Ben Roberts, Matt Utai, Sonny Bill Williams (Bulldogs); and Vinnie Anderson (Warrington).
Players previously named: Roy Asotasi, Issac Luke, David Kidwell, Jeremy Smith (all South Sydney); Rangi Chase, Chase Stanley (both St George Illawarra); Luke Covell (Cronulla); Greg Eastwood (Brisbane); Dene Halatau, Bronson Harrison, Ben Teo'o, Taniela Tuiaki, Paul Whatuira (all Wests Tigers); Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Sam Perrett (both Sydney Roosters), Frank Pritchard (Penrith); Cooper Vuna (Newcastle); and Jake Webster (Gold Coast).
- NZPA
