Shaun Johnson had been hoping to play in a third World Cup campaign for the Kiwis. Photo / Photosport
Shaun Johnson had been hoping to play in a third World Cup campaign for the Kiwis. Photo / Photosport
Shaun Johnson's hopes of playing in a third Rugby League World Cup have been dashed after his name was overlooked for the Kiwis' tournament squad, announced on Monday.
Johnson is one of several high-profile players at the New Zealand Warriors to not make the squad, with outside back Dallin Watene-Zelezniakits sole representative after the club experienced another disappointing NRL season.
Instead, head coach Michael Maguire has opted to pick players from teams that have experienced success in 2022 - the squad includes six players who took part in Sunday night's NRL Grand Final.
Back-to-back NRL premiership winners James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota and Scott Sorensen have been confirmed after making impressive contributions in Penrith's 28-12 victory over the Parramatta Eels in last night's 2022 NRL decider.
The Penrith players are joined by Dylan Brown, Isaiah Papali'i and Marata Niukore from the beaten Eels side.
"Selecting the squad for the World Cup was a real challenge given the quality of players in contention," Maguire told media.
"There were some tough calls to make but we're excited about the group we've settled on.
"There's always some tough decisions you've got to make and I've got a good group of selectors that we get together and we watch a lot of footy and go through that.
"There's some up-and-coming guys - someone like a Griffin Neame, Jordan Riki - those young talented guys were the ones that probably missed this opportunity just with guys like Jared Waerea-Hargreaves coming back into the squad and Isaac Liu that's got some experience. So those sorts of positions and the decisions were the big ones that we've made."
James Fisher-Harris has impressed for the title-winning Panthers in 2022. Photo / Photosport
Another feature of the squad is the return of seasoned forwards Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Isaac Liu; plus fullback-centre Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. While Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs hooker Jeremy Marshall-King comes into the squad for the first time since appearing for the Kiwis at the World Nines in 2019.
The only new face in the squad is centre Sebastian Kris (23), who has scored 25 tries in his 44 NRL appearances for Canberra. Born in Brisbane, he is of New Zealand descent through his Huntly-raised mother.
The Kiwis, minus the six grand final players, assembled and trained in Sydney last week before the advance party of 18 players plus staff flew to England on Friday.
The side is based in Leeds this week for a warm-up match against the beaten Super League grand finalists the Rhinos at Headingley on Saturday night. Three players are joining the Kiwis for a match which will serve as a farewell for Thomas Leuluai, who is ending his remarkable 20-season career after making his NRL debut as a 17-year-old with the Warriors in 2003.
The 37-year-old will lead the Kiwis in his last game before beginning a coaching career with Wigan and will be joined for the one-off match by Les Catalans centre Dean Whare, a 19-Test Kiwi from 2012-2017, and Wigan back rower Willie Isa.
The Kiwis' opening pool match of the World Cup is against Lebanon in Warrington on October 16, followed by Jamaica in Hull on October 22 and Ireland in Leeds on October 28.
The quarter-finals are scheduled for November 4, 5 and 6, the semifinals on November 11 and 12 and the final at Old Trafford in Manchester on November 19.
Maguire said there were no players he felt he missed out on snapping up for the tournament and he has a group well capable of challenging for the title.
"I think the players understand what we need to do and, you know, we've got a fair bit in front of us but the belief amongst the team is really strong."
Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Jesse Bromwich, Kenneath Bromwich, Dylan Brown, James Fisher-Harris, Kieran Foran, Peta Hiku, Jahrome Hughes, Sebastian Kris, Moses Leota, Isaac Liu, Joseph Manu, Jeremy Marshall-King, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Briton Nikora, Marata Niukore, Isaiah Papali'i, Jordan Rapana, Brandon Smith, Scott Sorensen, Joseph Tapine, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
NRL superstar headlines Kiwi Ferns squad
Raecene McGregor is all set to play a prominent role at the 2022 women's Rugby League World Cup after being named as part of a 24-strong squad.
McGregor, the winner of the NRLW's Dally M Medal for being the league's most outstanding player in 2022, will play alongside her sister Page and fellow Sydney Roosters players Otesa Pule and Mya Hill-Moana.
Grand final winner Shanice Parker also features, as do impressive Brisbane Broncos props Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala, Amber-Paris Hall and Brianna Clark.
"We're excited about the players we've listed based on their current form," head coach Ricky Henry told media.
"The vast majority are fresh off NRLW campaigns adding plenty of experience to the mix of leaders and new talent.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing how we compete against top-tier international teams over in York and I want to congratulate each member of the squad on this achievement of representing our country at the World Cup."
Kicking off November 2nd, the tournament will run alongside the men's edition where the Kiwi Ferns will face France in their opening match early November 3rd NZ time.
