League: Agreement will see Hape miss Anzac test

Kiwis coach Brian McClennan will name an extended squad of 19 this evening but Bradford centre Shontayne Hape is not expected to be among them.

The 24-year-old has played seven tests and was a key member of the side that beat Australia 24-0 in last year's Tri Nations final, even slotting into lock.

But it's understood his partner is currently in the UK and Hape has had a long-standing agreement that will see him miss the Anzac test.

McClennan was guarded yesterday about Hape's situation saying "there's a chance he may not be involved but I don't want to go into it".

It seems increasingly likely Motu Tony, however, will be included in the squad despite the fact his Hull side play tomorrow morning in the UK.

Coach Brian McClennan has said it would have been difficult to include players turning out in the UK Super League after Saturday UK time but an exception might be made for Tony because of the lack of depth at both hooker and in recognised goalkickers.

Tony is a versatile player having filled in at hooker, five-eighths and halfback for the Kiwis last year. The Cowboys' David Faiumu is expected to start on the bench.

Although McClennan said it was "excellent news" Benji Marshall might be available for the test, he still needed to find out more about the conditions of his availability before naming the 21-year-old in the squad tonight.

Orthopaedic specialist Dr Des Bokor cleared Marshall to play for the Kiwis if he got through a strict rehabilitation programme next week, but advised him not to play for more than 60 minutes.

The Tigers have been supportive of Marshall's involvement in the test, even though they said he would not be risked against Manly two days later if he played in Brisbane.

"Benji is a passionate Kiwi and the Wests Tigers have always supported our players playing representative football so we felt he should have that opportunity," Tigers chief executive Steve Noyce said.

McClennan didn't think they would extend the squad to 20, saying that if Marshall was fit "there's no reason why he can't be in the 19".

The coach also downplayed suggestions there might be a bolter. "I'm sure we will be pretty close to most people's picks."