Kearney: Decision made to 'protect' Mannering

Warriors Captain Simon Mannering during Monday's media call at the New Zealand Warriors NRL team headquarters in Auckland after the sudden resignation of Coach Matt Elliott and the appointment of Andr

Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney says the decision to pull Simon Mannering out of the upcoming England tour was taken to "protect" the long serving skipper.

On Thursday afternoon Kearney confirmed that Mannering, who has missed just one Warriors game in the last three seasons, would not be making the trip.

Mannering has been plagued by illness this year and while his condition is not thought to be serious, he had not sufficiently recovered from an outgoing gastric issue.

"Tests haven't confirmed a major issue but he hasn't really got any better," said Kearney. "It's [been done] to protect Simon.

It's taking the decision away from him. He would want to get away on tour...to try and do what is best for the team in whatever condition he is in. He can be his own worst enemy in that sense."

His withdrawal means coach Stephen Kearney will have to find another captain for this campaign.

"We know Simon wants to be with us and this decision will be a huge blow for him, as it is for us," says Kearney, who will announce his touring team on Thursday.

"But his long-term health is very important to us, especially with the Four Nations scheduled for next year and, of course, the next World Cup in New Zealand and Australia the following year.

"He's our captain and our leader, but we'll still have a strong leadership team to draw on and his absence this time will give us a chance to develop some other players in that role."

The England tour begins on October 23 with a warm-up game against Leeds Rhinos, with the three tests scheduled for Hull (November 1), London's Olympic Stadium (November 7) and Wigan (November 14).