KEY POINTS:
New Zealand selectors today named Sonny Bill Williams in their preliminary 49-man rugby league World Cup squad, despite the 23-year-old's decision to walk out on the sport.
His selection is clearly subject to availability and Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) chairman and World Cup director Colin Love said
Williams will not be allowed to play in the tournament or any other international event if he breaches his Bulldogs contract by playing rugby in France.
The Bulldogs and the NRL head back to the courts today to seek an injunction preventing Williams from playing with Toulon. Williams is set to make his debut in a pre-season friendly match against Heyres on the Cote d'Azur.
Out of the 33 Toulon players named for tonight's match, including disgraced former Wallaby scrum-half Matt Henjak, 26 will be selected to play.
"It is a difficult position given that court proceedings are underway but we are not able to pre-judge any outcomes," NZRL chairman Ray Haffenden said. "One thing we do know is that, with or without his involvement, New Zealand will be focused on winning the World Cup."
The Kiwis squad includes all 19 players involved in the Centenary Test preparations in Sydney on May 9 and is bolstered by the return of internationals Benji Marshall, Krisnan Inu, Manu Vatuvei, Jerome Ropati and Steve Matai, who were unavailable for that match.
Of the 49 players, 16 are yet to play for New Zealand. Kiwi coach Stephen Kearney released the team this morning ahead of a media conference in Auckland to discuss New Zealand's World Cup campaign in Australia in October and November, and will be joined by Kiwi coaching and management advisor Wayne Bennett.
"We feel we have covered all options at this stage but the door certainly isn't closed to players who haven't been included," said Kearney. "There's still a lot of football to be played both in the NRL and in the Super League. We'll be watching the players we have named and we'll also be keeping an eye on others not in this squad."
New Zealand take on defending champions Australia at the Sydney Football Stadium on October 26 following the tournament's opening ceremony.
KIWIS SQUAD
New Zealand's preliminary squad: Fraser Anderson (Cronulla), Roy Asotasi (South Sydney), Adam Blair (Melbourne), Nathan Cayless (Parramatta), Rangi Chase (St George Illawarra), Anthony Cherrington (Sydney Roosters), Greg Eastwood (Brisbane), David Fa'alogo (South Sydney), Sonny Fai (NZ Warriors), Nathan Fien (NZ Warriors), Dene Halatau (Wests Tigers), Bronson Harrison (Wests Tigers), Weller Hauraki (Parramatta), Lance Hohaia (NZ Warriors), Krisnan Inu (Parramatta), Masada Iosefa (Penrith), Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Sydney Roosters), David Kidwell (South Sydney), Thomas Leuluai (Wigan), Jeff Lima (Melbourne), Issac Luke (South Sydney), Simon Mannering (NZ Warriors), Sika Manu (Melbourne), Manase Manuokafoa (South Sydney), Benji Marshall (Wests Tigers), Steve Matai (Manly), Ben Matulino (NZ Warriors), Fui Fui Moimoi (Parramatta), Jason Nightingale (St George Illawarra), Eddie Paea (South Sydney), Sam Perrett (Sydney Roosters), Frank Pritchard (Penrith), Sam Rapira (NZ Warriors), Ben Roberts (Bulldogs), Jerome Ropati (NZ Warriors), Setaimata S (Sydney Roosters), Jeremy Smith (Melbourne), Iosia Soliola (Sydney Roosters), Chase Stanley (St George Illawarra), Fetuli Talanoa (South Sydney), Taulima Tautai (Parramatta), Lee Te Maari (Bulldogs), Ben Te'o (Wests Tigers), Taniela Tuiaki (Wests Tigers), Evarn Tuimavave (NZ Warriors), Manu Vatuvei (NZ Warriors), Cooper Vuna (Newcastle), Brent Webb (Leeds), Sonny Bill Williams (Bulldogs, subject to availability).
- NZPA