League: Star Kiwis candidates now certain to sit out Raiders match

Ongoing injury problems limit Kearney's selection options. Photo / Daily Post

The Kiwis will head into next Friday's Anzac test without Manu Vatuvei and Simon Mannering.

Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney has insisted that players prove their fitness in this week's round of NRL matches before he names his squad on Sunday night.

That stipulation rules out the hamstrung Warriors pair, with coach Ivan Cleary insisting they will not be late additions to face the Raiders at Mt Smart on Saturday night.

Even if Kearney produced an unlikely back-flip, it's highly unlikely the struggling Warriors would grant their often-absent star winger and captain medical clearances. The pair would instead use the fortnight off courtesy of the bye week to continue their rehabilitation, Cleary said.

"They'll be right for the Cowboys game.

"At this stage of the season it plays with your thinking definitely. I think that [resting the pair] is probably prudent at this stage", he said.

First choice halfback Brett Seymour is yet to return to contact training following a broken thumb but has also been slated for a return against the Cowboys in round 10.

A significant injury toll will limit Kearney's selection options for the May 7 test but with Mannering, Vatuvei, former captain Roy Asotasi and Dragons forward Jeremy Smith all having sat out last year's Four Nations tour, the disruption is limited.

Others unavailable through injury include World Cup winning halfback Nathan Fien (broken foot) and Bulldogs backrower Dene Halatau (ankle), while Super League players such as Thomas Leuluai and Iosia Soliola were not considered due to travel constraints.

Despite the absences, Kearney was confident he could pick a competitive side from a burgeoning local NRL talent pool.

"It's fair to say a lot of our players have been performing very well so far this season, which is really encouraging," Kearney said.

"There is evidence now that our depth is improving and that we have a number of quality options in most positions. We're confident we're in good shape to be able to pull together a strong side."

Much of the line-up will pick itself, with impressive Manly five-eighth Kieran Foran the favourite to partner captain Benji Marshall in the halves.

The rest of the backline could be the same as the side that drew with Australia in the last meeting between the sides in London, with Steve Matai, Junior Sa'u, Lance Hohaia, Bryson Goodwin and Sam Perrett all fit and in good form heading into this weekend's matches.

Sam Rapira's availability should strengthen a pack that will also likely include incumbents Fuifui Moimoi, Isaac Luke, Frank Pritchard and Adam Blair. That would leave one starting spot in the back row up for grabs, with the likes of Eddy Pettybourne and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves among the contenders.

The absence of dummy-half options Fien and Halatau could see Warriors hooker Aaron Heremaia emerge as a bolter to back up Luke off the bench.

"We're well advanced in our thinking but there's still time ... to make some late adjustments", Kearney said.