Waerea-Hargreaves back in NZ contention

New Zealand prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is in line for a Test recall after his inclusion in the Kiwis’ train-on squad for the Four Nations rugby league tournament.

Waerea-Hargreaves was a surprise omission from an injury-depleted Kiwis side for the Anzac Test against Australia in May.

He is one of five Sydney Roosters added to the wider squad after the NRL premiers’ preliminary final defeat to South Sydney.

The others are Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Sam Moa and Isaac Liu.

Also included is rookie Penrith winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak after 10 NRL appearances that have brought seven tries.

The great grandson of former Kiwis skipper Steve Watene, the 19-year-old made his first-grade debut against Canberra in April, scoring two tries.

Born in Ngaruawahia, Watene-Zelezniak moved to Sydney at a young age and represented New South Wales Under-18s, but chose the Junior Kiwis last year over the Australian Schoolboys.

Three other Panthers have also been chosen in Sam McKendry, Lewis Brown and Dean Whare.

The train-on squad now totals 37 players and the last names will be added after the NRL grand final between South Sydney and Canterbury-Bankstown on Sunday.

The Kiwis open their Four Nations campaign against Australia in Brisbane on October 25.

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