League: Anderson and Ah Van out of tri-nations

Kiwis prospects Louis Anderson and Patrick Ah Van have been ruled out of the looming tri-nations rugby league series with injury.

The New Zealand Warriors pair were today forced out of the train-on squad which was named two weeks ago to prepare for the tests against Australia and Great Britain, starting next month.

Back rower Anderson has been troubled by a stress fracture in his right foot while utility back Ah Van, who had an excellent debut season in the National Rugby League, has an unstable left shoulder.

Their withdrawl reduces the size of the train-on squad to 21, with other players still to be added.

Hooker Nathan Fien, who made the training squad after making himself available for the Kiwis, is still troubled by a bulging disc in his back which kept him out of three of the Warriors' last four matches of the season.

His injury status was to be reassessed this week.

New Zealand and Australia kick-off the tri-nations in Auckland on October 14, with the final set down for Sydney on November 25.

Kiwis squad:

Nathan Fien, Epalahame Lauaki, Simon Mannering, Sam Rapira, Jerome Ropati, Evarn Tuimavave, Manu Vatuvei, Brent Webb, Ruben Wiki (New Zealand Warriors); Iosia Soliola (Sydney Roosters); Frank Pritchard, Tony Puletua (Penrith); Nigel Vagana (Cronulla); David Fa'alogo (South Sydney); Dene Halatau, Paul Whatuira, Rangi Chase (Wests Tigers); Nathan Cayless, Krisnan Inu (Parramatta Eels); Setaimata Sa, Sam Perrett (Sydney Roosters)

- NZPA