Players from the Junior Warriors and North Queensland who played in Sunday's NYC grand final supply all but five of the Junior Kiwis' 18-man squad for their one-off international against the Junior Kangaroos in Newcastle on October 16.
After winning the Toyota Cup for consecutive years, the Junior Warriors provide 10 players while the Cowboys have three, including 18-year-old second rower Jason Taumalolo, one of three players in the squad with NRL experience.
Taumalolo has played for the Cowboys at first-grade level in the last two seasons while fellow back rower Josh Papalii has appeared for the Canberra Raiders this year and prop Ben Murdoch-Masila has turned out for Wests Tigers over the last two seasons.
Taumalolo is a survivor from the David Kidwell-coached Junior Kiwis' two-match campaign against the Junior Kangaroos last year. Others returning are the Warriors' trio of Carlos Tuimavave, Sebastine Ikahihifo and Samiuela Lousi.
The other players selected from the champion Warriors side are fullback Omar Slaimankhel, winger Adam Henry, centre Sosaia Feki, hooker Siliva Havili, prop Agnatius Paasi, loose forward John Palavi and utility Sio Siua Taukeiaho. Captain Ben Henry was also a contender but wasn't available as he is getting married, while two other Junior Warriors - halfback Jordan Meads and utility George Maka - are among the players on standby.
