Junior Kiwi James Fisher-Harris has earned a spot on the NZ Kiwis training squad for next month’s test against Australia in Perth and the subsequent Four Nations Tournament in England.
The Penrith Panthers forward was named to the national U20 side in May, but had to withdraw from their encounter with the Junior Kangaroos through injury. He took the field for Junior Kiwis in the same fixture last year.
Hailing from the Northland town of Rawene, Fisher-Harris enjoyed a break-through season with the Panthers, taking advantage of injuries to cement a spot in the first-grade line-up.
Penrith were eliminated from the NRL playoffs by Canberra Raiders last weekend, ushering Fisher-Harris, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Suaia Matagi and Te Maire Martin into the national squad.
After two previous false starts, DWZ finally made his Kiwis debut in May, while Matagi was part of the triumphant 2014 Four Nations campaign, coming off the bench against Samoa.
Like Fisher-Harris, five-eighth Martin also stepped up to first grade this season, but missed Penrith’s run to the playoffs with a shoulder injury.
Joining them in the wider group are Brisbane Broncos Adam Blair, Alex Glenn and Jordan Kahu, who were ousted from the premiership race by North Queensland Cowboys in a rematch of last season’s grand finalists.
All three were named for the May test against Australia, but Glenn withdrew with a calf injury. Blair co-captained the Kiwis in England last year and Kahu’s ability to play a variety of positions has proven valuable since debuting on that same tour.
Vodafone Warriors prop Ben Matulino has withdrawn from contention for off-season surgery, while new coach David Kidwell has added Warriors hooker/second row Jazz Tevaga.
The latest inclusions brings the current squad to 31, with more to come after next weekend’s NRL semi-finals.
The final touring squad of 24 will be named during the week after the NRL Premiership Grand Final on October 2. The Kiwis face Australia on October 15 and kick off their Four Nations title defence against hosts England on October 29.
The current NZ Kiwis train-on squad is:
- Adam Blair Brisbane Broncos
- Lewis Brown Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
- Greg Eastwood Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs
- James Fisher-Harris Penrith Panthers
- Addin Fonua-Blake Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
- David Fusitu’a NZ Warriors
- Alex Glenn Brisbane Broncos
- Shaun Johnson NZ Warriors
- Jordan Kahu Brisbane Broncos
- Solomone Kata NZ Warriors
- Shaun Kenny-Dowall Sydney Roosters
- Thomas Leuluai NZ Warriors
- Sam Lisone NZ Warriors
- Isaac Liu Sydney Roosters
- Tuimoala Lolohea NZ Warriors
- Issac Luke NZ Warriors
- Simon Mannering NZ Warriors
- Te Maire Martin Penith Panthers
- Suaia Matagi Penrith Panthers
- Manu Ma’u Parramatta Eels
- Sam Moa Sydney Roosters
- Jason Nightingale St George Illawarra Dragons
- Tim Simona Wests Tigers
- Brad Takairangi Parramatta Eels
- Martin Taupau Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
- Elijah Taylor Wests Tigers
- Jazz Tevaga NZ Warriors
- Bodene Thompson NZ Warriors
- Manu Vatuvei NZ Warriors
- Jared Waerea-Hargreaves Sydney Roosters
- Dallin Watene-Zelezniak Penrith Panthers
Photo: (nrlphotos.com)
