LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
New Zealand Kiwis Head Coach Stacey Jones has announced a robust 21-man squad for the upcoming Pacific Championships against Samoa and Tonga. The campaign kicks off this month and features a strong foundation of players from the 2023 Pacific Championship-winning team who were sidelined in 2024 due to injuries. Key players include Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Storm), Dylan Brown (Eels), Kieran Foran (Titans), Moses Leota (Panthers), and the Sharks duo Ronaldo Mulitalo and Briton Nikora.
Veteran Kiwi Kieran Foran, with 31 Test caps, will don the black and white jersey one last time after recently announcing his retirement post the Gold Coast Titans' 2025 season. He returns to international duty following Jones' call-up.
Utility forward Xavier Willison, fresh off an NRL premiership triumph with the Brisbane Broncos, joins the squad for the first time. Several promising talents are also back after impressive international debuts in 2024. These include middle forward Erin Clark (Warriors), hooker Phoenix Crossland (Knights), fullback Keano Kini (Titans), centre Casey McLean (Panthers), and middle forward Naufahu Whyte (Roosters).
Clark, McLean, and Whyte distinguished themselves in the NRL, earning nominations for the Dally M Team of the Year, with Clark winning the Lock of the Year title. Others retaining their spots from the last Pacific Championships include Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins), the 2025 NRL top points scorer; Isaiah Papali'i (Panthers); Scott Sorensen (Panthers); Joseph Tapine (Raiders); and Matthew Timoko (Raiders).
Returning to fortify the squad are 2022 World Cup representatives Jeremy Marshall-King (Dolphins) and Sebastian Kris (Raiders).