KEY POINTS:
Roman Gabriel could add juggler to the list of things he can do.
In the coming weeks he is set to be the assistant coach of the White Sox development team going to Brisbane in April; earlier in the month he will play for the Black Sox team
in their Oceania world championship qualifying tournament; and most important is being a dad to his daughter Lakita-Rose, who turns 1 next week.
Gabriel is recalled to the Black Sox after last playing for the team at the inaugural Commonwealth tournament in Melbourne in 2006.
"The first year [after that] I didn't miss it at all, but just lately ... I got the itch back and have got serious in the club level," he said.
"I think it has been a good break for me. I have had my rest now and I'm keen to get back into it."
He is not the only member of the family with national commitments. His wife, Kalala, is a member of the White Sox development team.
"I will also train with the girls and I have talked with Dean [White Sox coach Dean Rice] about how we will manage everything with them," he said.
Gabriel learned of his selection for the Black Sox when his wife called him on Saturday night. Kalala was in Wellington with the Auckland women's team and attending the dinner where the team was announced, while Roman was at home in Auckland looking after Lakita-Rose.
Also back in the team are Auckland's Nathan Nukunuku, Marty Grant (Nelson) and Wellington's Aaron Neemia, all playing in December's Pacific Series in Canberra.
Making his debut at the qualifier will be Wellington's Wayne Laulu.
For Grant, 42, his decision to come back to the international level has been fuelled by his work with young players in the Nelson region where he now lives. He made the decision last month after playing for the Waitakere Bears at the Dean Schick Memorial tournament in Albany.
* BLACK SOX
Heinie Shannon, Patrick Shannon, Nathan Nukunuku, Roman Gabriel, Donny Hale (Auckland), Mike Gaiger, Travis Wilson, Daniel Milne, Gareth Cooke (Canterbury), Jeremy Manley, Rhys Casley (Hutt Valley), Marty Grant (Nelson), Jarrad Martin (captain), Brad Rona (North Harbour), Thomas Makea, Aaron Neemia, Wayne Laulu (Wellington).