League: No late Kiwis call for Benji

Benji Marshall will not receive a late call up to the Kiwis. Photo / Getty

There will be no change of heart on Benji Marshall from Stephen Kearney, despite Kieran Foran's withdrawal from the Kiwis end of year tour.

The Kiwis vice-captain ruled himself out of the trip yesterday, electing to bring forward surgery on a lingering elbow complaint.

It's left the Kiwis extremely thin in the halves, with Thomas Leuluai and Shaun Johnson already missing.

But Kiwis coach Kearney won't be changing his mind on Marshall.

"The decision on Kieran has come after [the decision] on Benji, so it's a bit hard to go back on that," said Kearney on Thursday.

"Obviously Benji has got an injury, but that is not changing my line of thinking. I'm really excited about the opportunity to work with a couple of new halves who will certainly do a really good job for us. The decision [on Marshall] will stand."

Tui Lolohea (Warriors) and Kodi Nikorima (Broncos) - neither of whom have played for the Kiwis - become strong contenders for the six and seven jerseys while Tohu Harris and Peta Hiku were also mentioned by Kearney as possibilities.

The Kiwis squad is named on October 8.