Three NRL premiership winners will take aim at the World Cup after inclusion in New Zealand’s squad

There’s another trophy now in the sights of a trio of premiership winning Penrith Panthers stars after getting a national call-up.

After tasting NRL premiership glory a trio of Penrith stars will set their sights on World Cup glory after being included in New Zealand’s 24-man squad for the showpiece event in England.

Panthers James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota and Scott Sorensen are among six grand finalists named in the Kiwis’ squad, joined by beaten grand finalists Dylan Brown, Isaiah Papali’i and Marata Niukore from Parramatta.

Veteran playmaker Shaun Johnson was left out of the squad after coach Michael Maguire made some “tough calls”.

“Selecting the squad for the World Cup was a real challenge given the quality of players in contention,” Maguire said.

“There were some tough calls to make, but we’re excited about the group we’ve settled on.

Your Kiwis 😤 🇳🇿https://t.co/prCdvcsfE1#worldcupwaka#RLWC2021pic.twitter.com/QhKdbY18cJ

— NZ Rugby League (@NZRL_Kiwis) October 2, 2022

“These players have all been impressive for their clubs this season, not least James (Fisher-Harris), Moses (Leota) and Scott (Sorensen) who were all outstanding for Penrith in the grand final.”

The only new face in the squad is Canberra centre Sebastian Kris, with Bulldogs hooker Jeremy Marshall-King, who is uncapped at Test level but was in the Kiwi squad for the World Nines in 2019, also included.

New Zealand will be captained by Dolphins-bound former Storm skipper Jesse Bromwich.

NEW ZEALAND SQUAD: Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Jesse Bromwich, Kenny 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.