Casey McLean and Trent Toelau bolt into Kiwi side for Pacific championships
Dealing with an unprecedented injury crisis, Kiwi coach Stacey Jones has been forced to name an almost unrecognisable squad for the Pacific Championships including a junior NSW Origin star.
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Stacey Jones has named a virtually unrecognisable New Zealand Test squad with Penrith NSW Cup players Trent Toelau and teenager Casey McLean poised to make their Kiwi debut.
Broncos back rower Jordan Riki, Storm winger Will Warbrick and Roosters prop Naufahu Whyte are also among the new-look Kiwis squad to compete in the upcoming Pacific Championships.
Jones has named eight debutants with the new Kiwis coach facing the impossible task of trying to replicate the feats of former coach Michael Maguire, who led New Zealand to a 38-0 nil win over Australia last year.
Jones’ 21-man squad is without a long list of stars, prompting McLean – a talented centre who has excelled in the NSW Cup and who is still just 18-years-old – to earn a call-up.
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.
Unavailable for New Zealand are Dylan Brown (knee), Kieran Foran (ankle), Moses Leota (shoulder), Te Maire Martin (neck), Joey Manu (rugby union), Brandon Smith (knee), Jeremy Marshall-King (knee), Briton Nikora (ankle), Ronaldo Mulitalo (knee), Kayal Iro (hamstring) and Nelson Asofa-Solomona (suspended).
So dire was Jones’ depth in his spine that the Kiwis coach put an SOS call to retired champion Shaun Johnson.
After testing his problematic Achilles, Johnson turned down the invitation from Jones.
Veteran centre Peta Hiku will fly from England to join the Kiwis squad for their Pacific Championships campaign against the Kangaroos and Tonga this month.
Hiku becomes the first Super League player selected for New Zealand since Thomas Leuluai was brought back home from Wigan for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
Titans utility forward Erin Clark and teammate and fullback Keano Kini have also been chosen.
Penrith’s Scott Sorensen and Newcastle hooker Phoenix Crossland have also been selected.
“While we’ve had a number of players ruled out through injury or unavailability, it’s a hugely exciting opportunity having the Kiwis playing at home in front of our fans again,” Jones said.
“We’ve still got a solid core of last year’s squad but, the way I see it, it’s a fantastic chance for us to build the group to provide lots of options and depth for following campaigns.”
In a major boost for the Kiwis, Golden Boot winner James Fisher-Harris has been cleared of any injury following Penrith’s premiership win to be named captain.
Also chosen are Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dolphins winger
Jamayne Isaako, Raiders centre Matt Timoko, Dally M medallist Jahrome Hughes, Isaiah Papali’i (Wests Tigers), Joseph Tapine (Raiders), Leo Thompson (Knights) and Griffin Neame (Cowboys).
The Pacific Championships start with the Kangaroos meeting Tonga in Brisbane on October 18.
Originally published as Casey McLean and Trent Toelau bolt into Kiwi side for Pacific championships
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