Former Toa Samoa player Fa'amanu Brown will debut for the Kiwis against his former side on Saturday. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Four debutants have been named for the Kiwis' opening Pacific Championships match against Toa Samoa on Saturday.
Auckland-born Canberra centre Matthew Timoko is the only newcomer in the backline while Christchurch-born former Toa Samoa international Fa'amanu Brown (Newcastle) is set for his Kiwi debut at hooker.
The other two newcomers are West Coaster Griffin Neame (North Queensland) and Gisborne-born Leo Thompson (Newcastle) on the interchange.
Head coach Michael Maguire's first selection of the year features 12 players who lined up for the Kiwis in their last international, the 14-16 loss to the Kangaroos in the Rugby League World Cup semifinal in Leeds in November last year.
Winger Jamayne Isaako is recalled to the New Zealand team after last playing in the series win against the touring Great Britain side in 2019.
"The core of the side is built around players who have shown the passion they have for the Kiwi jersey in the past," said Maguire.
"Joining them are four players who are about to represent their country at this level for the first time. That's hugely exciting for them and their families as it is for our whole group."
The well-travelled 28-year-old Brown provides significant international experience having represented Samoa since 2016 including at last year's Rugby League World Cup in England.
Neame, who has made 43 NRL appearances for the Cowboys since 2021, was a non-playing member of the Kiwis' squad for their mid-season Test against Mate Ma'a Tonga in Auckland last year.
The 23-year-old Thompson started the season by representing the Māori All Stars side against the Indigenous All Stars in Rotorua in February before making 25 appearances for the Knights to boost his NRL career tally to 41 since his debut last year.
Timoko has made 62 appearances for the Raiders in the past four years, playing all 25 of their matches in 2023 when he finished with 11 tries, 118 tackle breaks and averaged 158 metres a game.
Kiwis team for match against Toa Samoa at Eden Park
1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2 Ronaldo Mulitalo
3 Matthew Timoko
4 Joseph Manu
5 Jamayne Isaako
6 Dylan Brown
7 Jahrome Hughes
8 James Fisher-Harris (C)
9 Fa'amanu Brown
10 Moses Leota
11 Isaiah Papali'i
12 Briton Nikora
13 Joseph Tapine
14 Kieran Foran
15 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
16 Griffin Neame
17 Leo Thompson
18 Naufahu Whyte
19 Wiremu Greig
20 Danny Levi
21 Keano Kini
