As the 2023 Pacific Championships gets underway, Zero Tackle looks at all the players who are absent from the New Zealand Kiwis squad that represented them at last year's Rugby League World Cup.

The players absent included a three-time Penrith Panthers premiership winner, a former New Zealand Kiwis captain and the reigning Dally M Winger of the Year.

11Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters)

Waerea-Hargreaves receives Kiwi Player Of The Year award
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - OCTOBER 13: Head coach Michael Maguire of the Kiwis celebrates with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves after winning the international Rugby League Test Match between the New Zealand Kiwis and the Australia Kangaroos at Mt Smart Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

A mainstay of the New Zealand Kiwis lineup since making his international debut in 2009, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has been one of the most impactful forwards ever to don the Kiwis jersey. Amassing 33 international caps, the Rooster would likely have been chosen in the Pacific Championships squad if not handed a suspension by the NRL.

Waerea-Hargreaves was charged with a Grade 2 dangerous contact charge by the NRL judiciary after being sin-binned against the Wests Tigers earlier this year, in which he faced a long-term suspension of seven games.

Of the seven-match ban, Waerea-Hargreaves served three of the games for the Roosters, who made the semi-finals, and if the Kiwis make the final of the Pacific Cup that gets underway this weekend, then would have another three matches shaved off. It is understood the Sydney Roosters have lodged an application for the pre-season All-Stars clash to be included in the suspension.

Previous International Caps: 33 (2009-23)