New Zealand have named Josh Papalii in their train-on squad for an end-of-year rugby league Test against Australia, as the Kiwis step-up their bid to convince the Canberra firebrand to commit to representing his country of birth.
The Queensland rugby league is urging the in-form second-rower to swear his allegiance to the Maroons in State of Origin, but Australia left Papalii out of their train-on squad – giving the Kiwis the inside running for his services.
Papalii has had a breakout season for the Raiders but rose to prominence when he rattled the cage of Cronulla and NSW skipper Paul Gallen in the opening week of the NRL finals.
The Kiwis are desperate to secure the services of Auckland-born Papalii who has been compared to New Zealand and Raiders great Ruben Wiki.
Papalii was named in the Kiwis train-on squad for the one-off Test against Australia in Townsville on October 13, with North Queensland players Jason Taumalolo and Antonio Winterstein also added to the list after the weekend’s matches.
Being named in the squad draws Papalii closer to choosing the Kiwis, but in reality it means nothing until he actually pulls on the black jersey in a Test match.
Kangaroos and NSW prop James Tamou had previously been picked in a Kiwis train-on-squad, yet famously turned his back on New Zealand this year to face them in the mid-year Test.
Papalii, Taumalolo and Winterstein join 14 others already named.
None of the trio have played for the Kiwis before, although Taumalolo and Winterstein have been with Kiwis training squads in the past.
Cowboys prop Ricky Thorby was unavailable for selection due to a hip injury which requires surgery.
Selectors Richie Barnett, Tony Iro, Stephen Kearney and Tawera Nikau will add further to the squad following the last two weekends of the NRL finals as teams continue to be knocked out.
NZ train-on squad: Gerard Beale, Josh Hoffman, Josh Papalii, Jeremy Smith, Jason Taumalolo, Antonio Winterstein, Sam McKendry, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Ben Henry, Shaun Johnson, Simon Mannering, Alehana Mara, Ben Matulino, Elijah Taylor, Manu Vatuvei, Adam Blair, Benji Marshall
