SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 06: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad of the Raiders looks on during the 2019 NRL Grand Final match between the Canberra Raiders and the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium on October 06, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
New Zealand has named four debutants in their 22-man squad to take on Australia and Great Britain, with exciting Raiders fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad headlining a long list of inclusions.
Kiwi coach Michael Maguire has also selected veterans Benji Marshall and Kieron Foran for the upcoming Tests in Wollongong (October 25), Auckland (November 2) and Christchurch (November 9).
Captain Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will miss the Tests due to injury, along with senior prop Jesse Bromwich, back rower James Fisher-Harris and centre Esan Marsters.
A notable omission from Maguire's squad is Warriors veteran Kodi Nikorima, with the Kiwi playmaker unable to reach the level of form he found during New Zealand's tour of England last year.
The exciting news surrounding the squad is Nicoll-Klokstad's inclusion, with the Canberra young gun likely to line up as a centre with Marsters' absence, while Jahrome Hughes is set to hold the fullback position.
Nicoll-Klokstad has enjoyed a breakout year in 2019, scoring 11 tries and contributing 11 linebreaks from 26 games with the Raiders after being released from the Warriors in February.
Braden Hamlin-Uele, Corey Harawira-Naera and Zane Tetevano join Nicoll-Klokstad as the rookies set to make their debut for New Zealand.
Jordan Rapana, Jamayne Isaako, Kevin Proctor and Joseph Tapine all return to international duties after the quartet missed their nations clash with Tonga in June.
15 of the 19 players that featured in the Tonga test have been named for the Kiwi's upcoming fixtures.
Kiwis Squad: Leeson Ah Mau, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Kenny Bromwich, Kieran Foran, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Corey Harawira-Naera, Jahrome Hughes, Jamayne Isaako, Shaun Johnson, Isaac Liu, Joseph Manu, Benji Marshall, Ken Maumalo, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Briton Nikora, Kevin Proctor, Jordan Rapana, Brandon Smith, Joseph Tapine, Zane Tetevano, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.