League: Williams out of Kiwis squad

Tony Williams. Photo / Getty Images

Manly winger Tony Williams had been removed from the Kiwis train-on squad to prepare for the Four Nations tournament and a one-off test against Samoa next month, the New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) confirmed today.

The New Zealand selectors had included former Tonga international Williams in their original 43-man squad, subject to confirming his eligibility with the Rugby League International Federation.

Yesterday Williams was also named in the Australian Rugby League's Prime Minister's 13 for their match against Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on September 26, prompting disappointment from NZRL chief executive Jim Doyle.

"Tony Williams told (Kiwis coach) Stephen Kearney that he wanted to play for New Zealand," Doyle said.

"Our next step was to confirm his eligibility to be considered to represent New Zealand.

"However, it seems that through his manager, Tony has now told Tonga and Australia he also wants to play for them. Stephen has spoken to him again today and confirmed this is the case.

"The truth of the matter is we are interested only in players who have a passion to play for the Kiwis and, accordingly, we have taken Tony out of our train-on squad. It doesn't fit with our philosophy if he is not completely committed to representing New Zealand."

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed two-test Kiwi Kieran Foran is unavailable for New Zealand's end-of-season campaign.

Kearney said Foran, who played at halfback in this year's Anzac test, needs surgery on his left shoulder, which would rule him out.

A third Manly player, centre Steve Matai, is out of contention after receiving a long-term suspension for a high tackle charge.

The Kiwis begin their international programme with a first-ever test against Samoa at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland on October 16.

It is the second leg of a doubleheader preceded by England taking on the New Zealand Maori.

The Kiwis' Four Nations tests are against England in Wellington on October 23, Papua New Guinea in Rotorua on October 30 and Australia at Eden Park in Auckland on November 6.

The match against the Kangaroos is the second half of a doubleheader kicking off with England facing Papua New Guinea. The Four Nations final is scheduled for Brisbane on November 13.

The final Kiwis squad is due to be named in the week following the National Rugby League grand final on October 3.

Kiwis train-on squad:

Alex Glenn, Antonio Winterstein (Brisbane Broncos), Bryson Goodwin, Ben Roberts (Canterbury Bulldogs), Bronson Harrison (Canberra Raiders), Greg Eastwood (Leeds Rhinos), Adam Blair, Sika Manu (Melbourne Storm), Junior Sa'u, Zeb Taia (Newcastle Knights), Krisnan Inu, Fuifui Moimoi (Parramatta Eels), Sam McKendry, Frank Pritchard (Penrith Panthers), Nathan Fien, Jason Nightingale, Jeremy Smith (St George Illawarra Dragons), Roy Asotasi, Issac Luke, Eddy Pettybourne, Fetuli Talanoa (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Joseph Leilua, Mose Masoe, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Sam Perrett, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters), Lewis Brown, Aaron Heremaia, Lance Hohaia, Kevin Locke, Simon Mannering, Ben Matulino, Russell Packer, Sam Rapira, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei (NZ Warriors), Benji Marshall (Wests Tigers), Thomas Leuluai (Wigan Warriors)

- NZPA