New Zealand coach Stacey Jones has unveiled a star-studded squad for Sunday afternoon’s Pacific Championships opener against Samoa at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium.
In a bid to reclaim the Pacific Championships trophy they last lifted in 2023, Jones has recalled six players from that title-winning squad — including retiring veteran Kieran Foran.
This comes after NZ playmaker Jahrome Hughes was ruled out of the side, as he is set to undergo shoulder surgery in the coming months.
As the 35-year-old gears up for his final international campaign before retiring from professional rugby league, the veteran halfback has the opportunity to surpass Benji Marshall’s record for the longest span representing the Kiwis.
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The former Gold Coast Titans halfback made his Test debut for New Zealand in 2009 and last represented the Kiwis in 2023.
Both Foran and Marshall currently sit on 31 Test appearances, meaning Foran could overtake the legendary playmaker’s mark with one more outing in the black jersey.
The squad also features several stars from New Zealand’s stunning 30-0 demolition of Australia in last year’s final in Hamilton, including Ronaldo Mulitalo, Briton Nikora, Dylan Brown, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Penrith prop Moses Leota.
Dolphins hooker Jeremy Marshall-King has also earned a recall to Test football after a three-year absence, while Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad reclaims the No.1 jersey.
Jones’ side will take on a star-studded Samoan squad, including newly crowned NRL premiership winner Payne Haas, who is set to make his test debut for the island nation.
The Samoan lineup also features heavyweights such as Jarome Luai, Junior Paulo, Brian To’o, Terrell May, Jeremiah Nanai, and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.