Roger Tuivasa-Scheck and the Warriors squad are putting in the hard yards ahead of the 2019 NRL season
Four Warriors have been included in the New Zealand Māori Kiwis team named on Friday, while highly rated Queensland star Kalyn Ponga will also turn out for the Stacey Jones-coached team.
Tohu Harris, Peta Hiku, Adam Blair and Gerard Beale have been selected for the side, who will take onthe Australian Indigenous All-Stars in Melbourne on February 15.
Though participation in such pre-season games it is always a double edged sword, given the risk of injury, it will also provide the quartet with a match of near-NRL intensity a month out from the season kickoff.
Ponga is the one that got away for local league fans.
Born in Western Australia, he was eligible to represent this country, as both his parents are New Zealanders.
Kalyn Ponga had a breakout year for the Newcastle Knights in 2018. Photo / Getty Images
He lived in Palmerston North between the ages of eight and 13, and was a standout in many different sports, before moving back across the Tasman. Ponga was chased by New Zealand Rugby League, and brought into Kiwis camps in 2015 and 2016 but declared his allegiance to Queensland State of Origin (and Australia) last January.
Kangaroo's winger Dane Gagai has also been named on the wing for the Māori after electing to represent his mother's heritage. He had previously represented the Indigenous All-Stars between 2015-17.
The most controversial selection is probably James Tamou. Tamou represented New Zealand Māori until 2011, and had been part of several Kiwis train on squads, before switching to the Kangaroos in 2012 after being offered a New South Wales Origin spot by then Blues coach Ricky Stuart.
The 30-year-old has played 12 tests for Australia and has also made 14 appearances for New South Wales.
A fourth Australian-aligned player in the Māori squad is Cowboys prop Jordan McLean.
The team also includes former Kiwis captain Jesse Bromwich, Storm teammate Brandon Smith and Titans back rower Kevin Proctor.
The Indigenous All-Stars side features Roosters centre Latrell Mitchell, Sharks prop Andrew Fifita, Broncos flyer James Roberts and Penrith utility Tyrone Peachey.
Laurie Daley's team also includes Ben Barba, who will return to the NRL this year with the Cowboys after two years in the British Super League.
New Zealand Māori Kiwis Peta Hiku - New Zealand Warriors Dane Gagai - South Sydney Rabbitohs Esan Marsters - Wests Tigers Dean Whare - Penrith Panthers Jordan Kahu - Brisbane Broncos Kalyn Ponga - Newcastle Knights Jahrome Hughes - Melbourne Storm Jesse Bromwich - Melbourne Storm Brandon Smith - Melbourne Storm Jordan McLean - North Queensland Cowboys Kevin Proctor - Gold Coast Titans Tohu Harris - New Zealand Warriors Adam Blair - New Zealand Warriors Interchange Danny Levi - Newcastle Knights Brad Takairangi - Parramatta Eels James Fisher-Harris - Penrith Panthers James Tamou - Penrith Panthers Gerard Beale - New Zealand Warriors Corey Harawira-Naera - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Joseph Tapine - Canberra Raiders
Australian Indigenous All-Stars Ben Barba - North Queensland Cowboys Blake Ferguson - Parramatta Eels Latrell Mitchell - Sydney Roosters James Roberts - Brisbane Broncos Josh Addo-Carr - Melbourne Storm Cody Walker - South Sydney Rabbitohs Tyrone Roberts - Gold Coast Titans Andrew Fifita - Cronulla Sharks Nathan Peats - Gold Coast Titans Ryan James* - Gold Coast Titans David Fifita - Brisbane Broncos Adam Elliott - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Tyrone Peachey - Gold Coast Titans Interchange Will Chambers - Melbourne Storm Leilani Latu - Gold Coast Titans Chris Smith - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Alex Johnston - South Sydney Rabbitohs Jesse Ramien - Newcastle Knights Tyrell Fuimaono - Penrith Panthers Kotoni Staggs - Brisbane Broncos
