League: No Marshall in Kiwis train-on squad

Benji Marshall. Photo / Brett Phibbs

A return to international league doesn't look likely for Benji Marshall after he wasn't named in the Kiwis train-on squad for the Four Nations tournament.

The Dragons playmaker hasn't played for New Zealand since the 2012 Four Nations and was dumped as Kiwis captain for last year's Anzac test. He missed last year's unsuccessful World Cup defence through a combination of a loss of form but also the fact he was defecting to rugby union.

Marshall made a surprise return to rugby league in May with the Dragons and has recaptured some of the form that made him the world's best player in 2010. But his name is missing from today's train-on squad for players whose teams are knocked out of playoffs contention.

The squad includes eleven potential debutants next month's tournament in New Zealand and Australia.

Cronulla wing Valentine Holmes has a decision to make after also being named in the Junior Kangaroos squad yesterday.

The first round of candidates also includes 10 Warriors players.

Coach Stephen Kearney has released the names of 21 players whose clubs have missed the NRL playoffs, due to start this week. Further names will be added as more teams are eliminated.

The wider squad will consist of about 40 players and the Four Nations roster will be named the week after the NRL Grand Final on October 5.

The only players so far missing from the Kiwis' most recent outing - the Anzac test against Australia in May - are Warriors utility Ben Henry, who has elected to have off-season knee surgery, and five-eighth Isaac John, after tearing an Achilles tendon in May.

The Four Nations kicks off on October 25, with an England v Samoa/NZ v Australia doubleheader at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.

The squad is:
Gerard Beale (St George Dragons), Adam Blair (Wests Tigers), Fa'amanu Brown (Cronulla Sharks), Sosaia Feki (Cronulla Sharks), David Fusitua (Vodafone Warriors), Siliva Havili (Vodafone Warriors), Valentine Holmes (Cronulla Sharks), Konrad Hurrell (Vodafone Warriors), Shaun Johnson (Vodafone Warriors), Ngani Laumape (Vodafone Warriors), Thomas Leuluai (Vodafone Warriors), Simon Mannering (Vodafone Warriors), Suaia Matagi (Vodafone Warriors), Ben Matulino (Vodafone Warriors), Matt McIlrick (Canberra Raiders), Jason Nightingale (St George Dragons), Sauaso Sue (Wests Tigers), Brad Takairangi (Wests Tigers), Martin Taupau (Wests Tigers), Bodene Thompson (Wests Tigers), Manu Vatuvei (Vodafone Warriors)