League: Two newcomers in Kiwis squad

Warriors back rower Lewis Brown. Photo / Getty Images

Two debutants and a recall for Shaun Kenny-Dowall after a three-year absence are features of the 23-man New Zealand rugby league squad named today for the Four Nations tournament and a one-off test against Samoa.

New Zealand Warriors back rower Lewis Brown and Brisbane Broncos winger Antonio Winterstein are the newcomers while Sydney Roosters centre Kenny-Dowall is set to play for his country for the first time since his only test appearance against France in 2007.

Also returning to the Kiwis for the first time since the World Cup triumph over Australia in 2008 is St George Illawarra's National Rugby League premiership-winning loose forward Jeremy Smith while two other World Cup players rejoining the side after last playing in last year's Anzac test against Australia are Warriors duo Simon Mannering and Manu Vatuvei.

Of the remaining 17 players chosen, 16 were involved in last year's Four Nations in England and France while Melbourne forward Sika Manu played in this year's Anzac test in Melbourne.

The team were announced in Auckland today by New Zealand Rugby League chairman Scott Carter and Kiwis coach and selector Stephen Kearney.

Kearney said the team had been difficult to select.

"We're in a position with our depth developing where a number of very good players have missed out," he said.

"That's disappointing for them but really encouraging for us that we now have strong competition for spots."

Warriors prop Sam Rapira was unavailable while Manly's Kieran Foran and Steve Matai were not considered due to a shoulder injury and suspension respectively.

Kearney confirmed that centre Jerome Ropati had been ruled out with a shoulder injury which forced him to withdraw from the Warriors' National Rugby League (NRL) finals match against the Gold Coast Titans on September 10.

The majority of the players selected were involved in finals football in either the NRL competition or the English Super League with only six from clubs that failed to continue beyond the regular season.

Four players have tasted premiership success in the last few days -- Smith, winger Jason Nightingale and utility Nathan Fien were all in the Dragons' NRL title-winning side against the Sydney Roosters on Sunday while halfback Thomas Leuluai helped Wigan to the Super League title when they beat St Helens 22-10 at Old Trafford.

Leuluai is one of two Super League players back in the Kiwis along with Leeds back rower Greg Eastwood, who is set to return to the NRL next season.

The newcomers Brown, 24, and Winterstein, 22, have earned their call-ups after impressing in their first two seasons in the NRL.

Brown played in all but two of the Warriors' 25 games this year and is one of five Warriors players selected, the most for one club.

Auckland-born Winterstein has missed few games for the Broncos since making his debut in the opening round of the 2009 season. He has scored 19 tries in 47 games.

The Kiwis assemble in Auckland on Saturday to prepare for the test against Samoa there on October 16.

Their opening Four Nations test is against England at Wellington on October 23.

New Zealand also play Papua New Guinea at Rotorua on October 30 and Australia at Auckland on November 6.

Kiwis squad
Adam Blair, Lewis Brown, Greg Eastwood, Nathan Fien, Bronson Harrison, Lance Hohaia, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Thomas Leuluai, Issac Luke, Simon Mannering, Sika Manu, Benji Marshall (captain), Ben Matulino, Fuifui Moimoi, Jason Nightingale, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Sam Perrett, Frank Pritchard, Junior Sa'u, Jeremy Smith, Manu Vatuvei, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Antonio Winterstein.

- NZPA