KEY POINTS:
Experienced centre Clinton Toopi and winger Tame Tupou were today added to the Kiwis squad for their four-test rugby league tour of Britain and France.
Toopi (Leeds) and Tupou (Bradford) were in the New Zealand All Golds side that beat the Northern Unions 25-18 in Warrington yesterday (NZ time).
Initially, the New Zealand selectors had planned to bring in one player from the All Golds to bolster the touring squad.
But another vacancy arose following the announcement that veteran second rower David Kidwell would return home to Christchurch as soon as possible to support his sick mother. He won't rejoin the tour.
"We had a spot open after the injuries received in last weekend's loss to the Kangaroos in Wellington," Kiwis coach Gary Kemble said.
"With David's mother being unwell, we now have a second spot available.
"The selectors felt there was good cover in the back row positions in the forwards so it was decided to bring in two more backs."
Toopi and Tupou played for the Kiwis last year, Toopi boasting 19 tests since his debut in 2001 and Tupou has three.
Kemble said he would name a 19-man squad tomorrow to prepare for the first test against Great Britain in Huddersfield on Sunday (NZ time).
The full touring squad:
Louis Anderson (Warriors), Roy Asotasi (captain, South Sydney Rabbitohs), Greg Eastwood (Brisbane Broncos)
David Faiumu (North Queensland Cowboys), Dene Halatau (Wests Tigers), Shontayne Hape (Bradford Bulls), Lance Hohaia (Warriors)), Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Sydney Roosters), Epalahame Lauaki (Warriors), Thomas Leuluai (Wigan Warriors), Jeff Lima (Melbourne Storm), Simon Mannering (Warriors), Fuifui Moimoi (Parramatta Eels), Sam Perrett (Sydney Roosters), Frank Pritchard (Penrith Panthers), Sam Rapira (Warriors), Ben Roberts (Bulldogs), Jeremy Smith (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Jeremy Smith (Melbourne Storm), Chase Stanley (St George Illawarra Dragons), Clinton Toopi (Leeds Rhinos), Taniela Tuiaki (Wests Tigers), Tame Tupou (Bradford Bulls), Paul Whatuira (Wests Tigers).
- NZPA
