Mulitalo, Nikora in Kiwis squad

New Zealand Kiwis Head Coach Stacey Jones has named a seasoned 21-man squad for the upcoming Pacific Championships campaign against Samoa and Tonga starting this month.  

The squad is bolstered by a strong core of players from the 2023 Pacific Championship-winning side who were unavailable in 2024 due to injury: Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Storm), Dylan Brown (Eels), Kieran Foran (Titans), Moses Leota (Panthers), and Sharks duo Ronaldo Mulitalo and Briton Nikora.  

Thirty one-Test Kiwi Kieran Foran, who recently announced his retirement following the Gold Coast Titans’ 2025 campaign, will wear the black and white jersey one final time. The veteran playmaker returns to international duty after receiving the call-up from Jones. 

Fresh from an NRL premiership victory with the Brisbane Broncos on Sunday, utility forward Xavier Willison joins the squad for the first time.

Following impressive debut international campaigns in 2024, several rising stars return to the fold: middle forward Erin Clark (Warriors), hooker and utility Phoenix Crossland (Knights), fullback Keano Kini (Titans), centre Casey McLean (Panthers), and middle forward Naufahu Whyte (Roosters). 

Clark, McLean, and Whyte come off standout NRL seasons that earned them Dally M Team of the Year nominations, with Clark taking out the Lock of the Year award.

Also retaining their places from the last Pacific Championships are Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins), the 2025 NRL top points scorer, alongside Isaiah Papali’i (Panthers), Scott Sorensen (Panthers), Joseph Tapine (Raiders), and Matthew Timoko (Raiders). 

2022 World Cup representatives Dolphins hooker Jeremy Marshall-King and Raiders centre Sebastian Kris also return to strengthen the squad. 

James Fisher-Harris will once again captain the team, joined in the squad by Warriors teammate Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. 

The Kiwis begin their campaign against Toa Samoa at Go Media Stadium in Auckland on October 19, having last faced off in 2023.  

After a bye week in Round 2, the New Zealanders will reconvene back in Auckland to face Tonga at Eden Park on November 2. 

The Pacific Championships finals will be played at CommBank Stadium in Sydney on November 8.  

Unavailable for selection

• Jahrome Hughes (Storm) - injury
• Kodi Nikorima (Dolphins) - injury

New Zealand Kiwis (alphabetical)  

• Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Storm)
• Dylan Brown (Eels)
• Erin Clark (Warriors)
• Phoenix Crossland (Knights)
• James Fisher-Harris (c) (Warriors)
• Kieran Foran (Titans)
• Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins)
• Keano Kini (Titans)
• Sebastian Kris (Raiders)
• Moses Leota (Panthers)
• Jeremy Marshall-King (Dolphins)
• Casey McLean (Panthers)
• Ronaldo Mulitalo (Sharks)
• Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Warriors)
• Briton Nikora (Sharks)
• Isaiah Papali'i (Panthers)
• Scott Sorensen (Panthers)
• Joseph Tapine (Raiders)
• Matthew Timoko (Raiders)
• Naufahu Whyte (Roosters)
• Xavier Willison* (Broncos)
  *Denotes debutant