Rugby league: Warriors rewarded with 11 players in Kiwis tour squad

8:00am

Eleven players from the New Zealand Warriors were named last night in the 26-strong New Zealand rugby league team to tour Britain and France starting next month.

Selectors Gary Freeman, Jarrod McCracken and Gerard Stokes have recognised the form of the Warriors in this year's National Rugby League (NRL) by having nearly half his tour party from the club. That includes hooker Monty Betham, who is returning from a knee injury that has sidelined him for most of this year's NRL.

The tour comprises five tests over 7-1/2 weeks.

Coach Freeman was expected to name his 17 players to face Australia in the one-off test at Wellington on October 12 next week.

One player who can't play that test but will tour with the squad is captain Nathan Cayless. The prop is due to miss the first two matches of the tour while serving the end of a three-game suspension. He was found guilty by the NRL judiciary for a high tackle while playing for the Parramatta Eels earlier this month.

Seven newcomers to the Kiwis squad are Bulldogs winger Matt Utai, Bradford winger Tevita Vaikona, Warriors standoff Lance Hohaia, Sydney Roosters prop Jason Cayless, Bulldogs prop Paul Rauhihi, Warriors second-rower Awen Guttenbeil and Castleford second-rower Michael Smith.

The biggest surprise is Smith, who was with the Bulldogs' NRL squad last year before shifting to British club York and then on to Castleford.

New Zealand rugby league executive chairman Selwyn Pearson was delighted to see the new faces.

"I'm pretty pleased this is a lengthy tour because what a wonderful way for these young guys to start their careers," he said after announcing the squad.

"Some of them probably aren't going to feature in the tests but it's a lovely grounding for them."

There are four British-based players, including Smith, Vaikona, Bradford standoff Robbie Paul and Wigan prop Craig Smith.

The New Zealand squad to tour Great Britain and France:

David Vaealiki (Parramatta), Matt Utai (Bulldogs), Francis Meli (NZ Warriors), Tevita Vaikona (Bradford), Henry Fa'afili (NZ Warriors), Clinton Toopi (NZ Warriors), Nigel Vagana (Bulldogs), Robbie Paul (Bradford), Motu Tony (NZ Warriors), Lance Hohaia (NZ Warriors), Stacey Jones (NZ Warriors), Richard Swain (Brisbane Broncos), Monty Betham (NZ Warriors), Jason Cayless (Sydney Roosters), Jerry Seuseu (NZ Warriors), Nathan Cayless (Parramatta), Paul Rauhihi (Bulldogs), Craig Smith (Wigan), David Solomona (Parramatta), Tony Puletua (Penrith), Stephen Kearney (Melbourne Storm), Ali Lauiti'iti (NZ Warriors), Awen Guttenbeil (NZ Warriors), Ruben Wiki (Canberra Raiders), Logan Swann (NZ Warriors), Michael Smith (Castleford).

- NZPA