League: Waerea-Hargreaves in frame for Kiwis recall

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves appears close to an international comeback.

The Roosters prop has been in top form this season, particularly in recent matches, putting a strong case for a Kiwis' recall.

The 27-year-old hasn't played for his country since appearing in all seven matches at the 2013 World Cup, where the Kiwis suffered an embarrassing 34-2 final defeat.

He was a high-profile omission from the 2014 Anzac test, when the Kiwis already had several other injury concerns, and opted out of last year's Four Nations campaign, citing fatigue after an extended Roosters season. He was also overlooked for the 26-12 win in Brisbane in May, though he had been under an injury cloud in the build-up to the test weekend.

But he might be hard to ignore this time, especially with room for at least five specialist props in the 23-man squad to tour England.

"He's been good this year and particularly the last month," said Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney. "He was the best player on the field against the Bulldogs a few weeks ago and one of the best against the Warriors before that. He's obviously putting his hand up."

The pair have had several conversations in recent months, with Kearney outlining what he wants from the Roosters prop. Kearney said the content of those discussions "is between Jared and I".

Waerea-Hargreaves was one of 35 Sydney-based players who met Kearney at a Kiwis summit recently, while he also met six players in Melbourne, 10 in Auckland and groups in Brisbane and Townsville.

"We've got a massive challenge in front of us," says Kearney. "It was good to meet and talk about the upcoming tour."

Benji Marshall, whose last game for the Kiwis was almost three years ago, was also part of that Sydney meeting.

"He is part of the group we have identified and we will see where it all sits closer to the time," said Kearney. "I didn't invite Benji to [the meeting] to make up the numbers, so obviously he's in the frame ... but there are no guarantees for anyone this far out from the tour."

Despite some high-profile withdrawals forced by injury, including Shaun Johnson, Thomas Leuluai and Manu Vatuvei, Kearney has options, particularly in the forwards.

"It's possibly one of biggest pools of talent we've had," said Kearney. "There is genuine depth there. Players have seen their peers reach that pinnacle and want to aspire to be there as well. The nature of our game is that we might lose a few more before the end of the season but we have some good strength."

Kearney is likely to opt for a 13-10 split between backs and forwards, though he will select some forwards capable of filling backline positions at a stretch.

Meanwhile, Kearney has been in regular contact with Shaun Kenny-Dowall, who is facing assault and domestic violence charges, but doesn't know if the Roosters centre will be available for the tour.

"I've been talking to Shaun quite a bit and also his father," said Kearney, "but in a welfare sense more than anything else. With Shaun, I'm not too concerned about the Kiwis ... there is a bigger picture than that. He needs time to get through this and I hope everything will be OK."

The Kiwis play three tests against England (on November 2, 8 and 15, NZT), preceded by a match against Leeds at Headingley on October 25.