League: Young guns given chance

Benji Marshall is likely to be named captain of the Kiwis. Photo / Getty Images

A youthful Kiwis squad will be named tomorrow for the Four Nations tournament.

Coach Stephen Kearney has lost significant firepower with a handful of top players ruled out through injury but he has also plumped for youngsters with one eye on the future.

It will mean likely callups in the 23-man squad for young Warriors Kevin Locke, Ben Matulino and Lewis Brown and it's expected Manly duo Kieran Foran and Jared Waerea-Hargeaves, Brisbane's Alex Glenn and Bulldogs winger Bryson Goodwin could also figure. Benji Marshall is expected to be named captain after the international retirement of Nathan Cayless.

"Youthful would be an appropriate way to describe it," Kearney said of his squad. "Injuries have had a bit to do with it but it's also important we look to the future. They are the ones who will be given the duties in two or three years.

"I think it's exciting. The energy these guys will bring to the side is important."

Locke has had a breakthrough season, playing in 12 games for the Warriors on the wing and earning a nomination for NRL Rookie of the Year.

Brown, a second-rower, was also one of the Warriors' best in what was a disappointing season. Glenn came close to selection when he was called up as 18th man for the Anzac test. The 21-year-old utility who can play second-row, centre or wing missed only one Broncos game in his debut season.

Foran has played only nine NRL games but scored six tries for the Sea Eagles and plays the crucial position of five-eighth. Waerea-Hargeaves has even less experience, with six games, but proved himself to be an impact player off the bench.

Goodwin had a stellar year on the wing for the Bulldogs, scoring 20 tries in 24 games.

Kearney still has a good smattering of experience to call on among the 37 players in the wider training squad.

There is plenty of power and experience up front with Adam Blair, Jeff Lima and Fuifui Moimoi, who were to play in today's grand final. Marshall, Lance Hohaia, Greg Eastwood, Sam Perrett, Bronson Harrison, Thomas Leuluai, David Fa'alogo, Issac Luke and Nathan Fien were all members of the side which upset Australia 34-20 in the World Cup final.

Steve Matai, Jason Nightingale, Krisnan Inu and Dene Halatau played earlier games at the World Cup and Frank Pritchard and Brent Webb would have been automatic choices had they been fit.

"Decisions haven't been hard," Kearney admitted. "With the amount of injuries, we have to make sure we get the balance right. We're going to the Northern Hemisphere where a lot of these young guys won't have been before. We have to make sure we get the mix of youth and experience right."

The selectors initially named a 45-man train-on squad but that was whittled down to 37 through injuries and incidents.

Ruled out of selection were Roy Asotasi, Simon Mannering, Manu Vatuvei (all knee), Sam Rapira (chest), Jerome Ropati, Zeb Taia (both shoulder), Taniela Tuiaki, Sika Manu and Jeremy Smith (all ankle). Roosters utility Setaimata Sa wasn't considered because of his off-field behaviour.

The 22-year-old, who was a member of last year's World Cup-winning squad, has been charged with assaulting a female police officer, resisting arrest, failing to leave a licensed premises and damaging property. The charges follow an allegedly alcohol-fuelled incident at a Sydney hotel last month.

The Kiwis will gather in Auckland this week ahead of next Wednesday's test against Tonga in Rotorua.

Their first Four Nations test is against Australia in London on October 25 (NZT), followed by matches against France (November 1) and England (November 8). The final will be in Leeds on November 15.