NRL 2024: Storm star Jack Howarth rejects Kiwis, to keep Queensland Maroons Origin dream alive

The injury plagued Kiwis have suffered a massive blow ahead of the Pacific Championships, with a young star rejecting New Zealand to keep his Maroons Origin dream alive.

If NSW needing to find a new coach wasn’t bad enough, now Billy Slater has scored an early victory for Queensland.

In a major boost for the Maroons and in direct contrast, another blow for Kiwis coach Stacey Jones, rising Storm star Jack Howarth has chosen to chase his State of Origin dream over representing New Zealand.

Ahead of Sunday’s NRL grand final, this masthead has learned that Jones was hoping to pick Howarth in his Kiwis squad for the upcoming Pacific Championships.

Born in Mackay Queensland, but with his mother of Maori heritage, Howarth was a member of the New Zealand ‘A’ team last year and was also selected for the New Zealand Maori Kiwi All Stars.

He is also cousins with Kiwi Test prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

Earlier this week and prior to Jones learning of Howarth’s desire to represent Queensland, Howarth spoke of the tough decision that he was facing.

Jack Howarth. Picture: NRL Imagery

“It sucks that I can’t do both,” Howarth said.

“My mum is Maori. She grew up in Rotorua in New Zealand and moved over when she was young.

“I have a Maori heritage. Jared (Waerea-Hargreaves) is actually my cousin.

“I also played 18s and 19s for Queensland.”

Meanwhile, in what would prove a remarkable rise to national duties, New Zealand selectors are also looking closely at Penrith NSW Cup utility Trent Toelau.

Toelau, 24, is a rare product of the Victorian rugby league junior system having developed through the Storm pathways before linking with the Panthers last year.

Chosen on the Panthers extended bench for the grand final, Toelau made his NRL debut this season and featured in 13-games.

Also on Jones’ radar is Roosters back-up dummy-half Zach Dockar-Clay.

Howarth and Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves are cousins. Picture: Getty Images

Kiwis coach Stacey Jones faces an impossible task of trying to emulate the feat of former coach Michael Maguire due to a mounting list of unavailable players.

Jones steps into the role after New Zealand beat Australia 38-0-nil last year.

Unavailable for New Zealand for the upcoming Pacific Championships are Dylan Brown (knee), Kieran Foran (ankle), Joey Manu (rugby union), Brandon Smith (knee), Jeremy Marshall-King (knee), Briton Nikora (ankle), Ronaldo Mulitalo (knee) and Kayal Iro (hamstring).

So dire is the concern for Jones in his spine that the Kiwis coach put an SOS call to retired champion Shaun Johnson.

After testing his problematic Achilles last week, Johnson turned down the invitation from Jones.

Kiwis coach Stadey Jones has an injury crisis on his hands ahead of the Pacific Championships. Picture: NRL Imagery

Jones is sweating on the fitness of first-choice halfback from Melbourne, Jahrome Hughes.

Jones is likely to look at getting creative to solve his half and hooker issues which includes partnering Hughes with either Kodi Nikorima, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad or Phoenix Crossland in the halves.

Titans rising star Keano Kini is also on the verge of his New Zealand Test debut.

A Junior Kiwis representative, Kini was a member of last year’s New Zealand squad for the Pacific Championships, but fell short of being handed his Test debut.

Jones could use Kini at fullback and turn Nicoll-Klokstad into a makeshift half.

The Pacific Championships begins on October 18 at Suncorp Stadium.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Storm star Jack Howarth rejects Kiwis, to keep Queensland Maroons Origin dream alive