Ken Maumalo has earned a Kiwis call-up. Photo / Photosport
Ken Maumalo has earned a Kiwis call-up. Photo / Photosport
Seven players are set to debut for the Kiwis but new coach Michael Maguire insists he's not taking away a development side for next Sunday's (NZT) test against England in Denver.
As reported in the Herald yesterday several Warriors stars are missing from the 19-man squad, with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Shaun Johnson and Tohu Harris all unavailable for the match at Mile High Stadium, while unofficial Kiwis leader Adam Blair is unavailable after being banned by the NRL for two weeks for a dangerous tackle on Cowboys' wing Kyle Feldt in Friday night's 23-16 win in Townsville.
Ahead of his first test as head coach, Maguire has called up wings Ken Maumalo and Jamayne Isaako, centre Esan Marsters, front rowers Leeson Ah Mau and Herman Ese'ese, hooker Slade Griffin and second rower Raymond Faitala-Mariner to make their Kiwis debuts at Mile High Stadium.
Maguire denied circumstances and injuries have left him with a development side and is confident the players chosen will do the Kiwis jersey proud.
"No way in the world that I would ever imagine if you're playing for your country that it's a development side," said Maguire.
"I've got a very good group of players. They've all got first grade experience and they're all playing really good football so they're all well deserved to have their opportunity.
"I'm really looking forward to taking this team away and being able to create a standard of our own.
"Sometimes when you bring a lot of young guys in that excitement and hunger around playing can really lift the jersey to new heights."
Warriors hooker Issac Luke has won a test recall after being overlooked for last year's World Cup and will help fill the void in leadership, along with experienced front rowers Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Martin Taupau, plus backline utility Peta Hiku.
Warriors hooker Issac Luke has won a recall to the Kiwis after missing selection for last year's World Cup. Photo / Photosport.
"I've got a number of boys there but it's great to be back working with Issac," said Maguire.
"He and I will discuss [the side's leadership]. We've spoken a lot around the team and that will come out throughout the week."
Maguire was reluctant to reveal who had replaced Blair in the team, but made it clear he and the other players that were unavailable would come back into contention to play in the October test against Australia in Auckland and the end of year tour of England and France.
"I'm not going to go into who came in but unfortunately for Adam he was really looking forward to the opportunity to go away with the Kiwis as he always does," he said.
"I'm really happy with the squad I'm taking and it's unfortunate for Adam but I know he'll finish off a strong year and look forward to the opportunities at the end."
Maguire had no issues with the Warriors ruling Johnson and Beale unavailable, and was understanding of Tuivasa-Sheck and Harris' decisions to stay home and rest ahead of the Warriors next game against Cronulla at Mt Smart Stadium on June 29.
"With Shaun it basically came down to a club decision from the understanding of where he's come with his injuries.
"With the other two boys, they're more personal reasons which the players and myself shared and I'm comfortable with where we are at."
Luke was excited back in the Kiwis camp and reunited with his former South Sydney coach, after rediscovering his best form throughout the first half of the Warriors NRL campaign.
"I've worked a lot with Madge – I can't call him Michael - and we've formed a pretty tight relationship over the years. But just to be a part of this camp again is good."
The Kiwis have assembled in Sydney before flying out for Denver tomorrow morning.
Meanwhile, Warriors forwards Bunty Afoa, James Gavet, Isaiah Papali'i, Ligi Sao and back-up halfback Mason Lino have been called up for Samoa's Pacific Test against Tonga in Sydney next Saturday, while ISP forward King Vuniyayawa will turn out for Fiji in their test against Papua New Guinea.
Kiwis Squad: Leeson Ah Mau, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Herman Ese'ese, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, James Fisher-Harris, Slade Griffin, Peta Hiku, Jamayne Isaako, Jordan Kahu, Isaac Liu, Issac Luke, Te Maire Martin, Esan Marsters, Ken Maumalo, Kodi Nikorima, Joseph Tapine, Martin Taupau, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
