New Zealand Kiwis Head Coach Stacey Jones has named a powerful and experienced 21-man squad for the upcoming Pacific Championships 2025, where the Kiwis will face Samoa and Tonga later this month.
The squad features a strong returning core from the 2023 Pacific Championships-winning side, with several key players back from injury.
Among them are Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Melbourne Storm), Dylan Brown (Parramatta Eels), Kieran Foran (Gold Coast Titans), Moses Leota (Penrith Panthers), and Cronulla Sharks duo Ronaldo Mulitalo and Briton Nikora.
Veteran half Kieran Foran, who recently announced he will retire after the Gold Coast Titans’ 2025 NRL season, will don the famous black and white jersey for the final time.
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The 31-Test Kiwi makes his international return after receiving a call-up from Jones.
Fresh off his NRL premiership victory with the Brisbane Broncos, young forward Xavier Willison earns his first Kiwis selection.
Several rising stars who impressed during their 2024 international debuts have also been retained, including Erin Clark (Warriors), Phoenix Crossland (Knights), Keano Kini (Titans), Casey McLean (Panthers), and Naufahu Whyte (Roosters).
Clark, McLean, and Whyte are coming off outstanding NRL seasons, each earning Dally M Team of the Year nominations, with Clark taking out the Lock of the Year award.
Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins), the 2025 NRL top point-scorer, alongside Isaiah Papali’i (Panthers), Scott Sorensen (Panthers), Joseph Tapine (Raiders), and Matthew Timoko (Raiders), as well as Jeremy Marshall-King (Dolphins) and Sebastian Kris (Raiders), will join the squad.
James Fisher-Harris will once again captain the team, joined by his Warriors teammate Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
The Kiwis will kick off their Pacific Championships campaign against Toa Samoa at Go Media Stadium, Auckland, on October 19.
Following a Round 2 bye, New Zealand will return to action at Eden Park on November 2 to face Tonga.
The Pacific Championships finals will take place at CommBank Stadium, Sydney, on November 8.
Unavailable for Selection
• Jahrome Hughes (Storm) – injury
• Kodi Nikorima (Dolphins) – injury
New Zealand Kiwis Squad (Alphabetical Order)
• 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