Kieran Foran is set for one last hurrah with the New Zealand Kiwis, answering an SOS call from coach Stacey Jones ahead of the Pacific Championships.
The 31-Test veteran, who recently retired following the Gold Coast Titans’ 2025 campaign, will don the black and white jersey one final time as the Kiwis take on Samoa on 19 October at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium.
Foran joins a 21-man squad blending seasoned campaigners and in-form talents, with Jones recalling players who missed last year’s tournament through injury, including Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Dylan Brown, Moses Leota, Ronaldo Mulitalo, and Briton Nikora.
Fresh from an NRL premiership with the Brisbane Broncos, utility forward Xavier Willison earns a maiden call-up, standing out as the squad’s only debutant.
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Kiwi squad combines experience with emerging talent
Alongside Foran, the squad features several rising stars returning after impressive 2024 campaigns: 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 all earned Dally M Team of the Year nominations, with Clark claiming the Lock of the Year award.
Also retained from previous Pacific Championships are 2025 NRL top points scorer Jamayne Isaako, Isaiah Papali’i, Scott Sorensen, Joseph Tapine, and Matthew Timoko. James Fisher-Harris will captain the squad once more, flanked by Warriors teammate Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
Following a bye in Round 2, the Kiwis will face Tonga at Eden Park on 2 November, with the tournament final scheduled for 8 November at Sydney’s CommBank Stadium. Foran’s swansong promises to be a fitting farewell to an illustrious international career.