NRL finalists have provided the bulk of New Zealand's 43-strong Four Nations train-on squad announced on Monday.
Thirty-one come from teams involved in the NRL finals, with the Warriors providing 11 players on their own, easily the biggest contribution.
The most improved team in the NRL, last year's wooden spooners the Sydney Roosters, provided six led by boom centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall.
The Kiwis also named shamed Manly centre Steve Matai, who is likely to miss the entire tournament after being charged with a grade three reckless high tackle, which carries a minimum seven-match ban.
If Matai fights the charge and loses, he could miss nine matches, though he was named alongside Sea Eagles team-mates Kieran Foran and Tony Williams.
All 17 players used in this year's Test against Australia along with 18th man Alex Glenn have been named with two players from English Super League sides, 2008 World Cup-winners Thomas Leuluai (Wigan) and Greg Eastwood (Leeds).
Coach Stephen Kearney said was excited so many contenders were in good form at the business end of the NRL season.
"It has to be beneficial having such a significant number with the chance of going well into the finals, perhaps all the way to the grand final," he said.
New Zealand and Australia are to host the Four Nations tournament also featuring England and Papua New Guinea.
Of the 43 players named, 12 are yet to make their New Zealand debuts.
Thirteen of the 16 NRL clubs have players in the squad, the exceptions being North Queensland, Gold Coast and Cronulla.
The Kiwis begin their end-of-season international program against Samoa in Auckland on October 16.
Kiwis train-on squad: Alex Glenn, Antonio Winterstein (Broncos), Bryson Goodwin, Ben Roberts (Bulldogs), Bronson Harrison (Raiders), Greg Eastwood (Leeds Rhinos), Kieran Foran, Steve Matai, Tony Williams (Sea Eagles), Adam Blair, Sika Manu (Storm), Junior Sa'u, Zeb Taia ( Knights), Krisnan Inu, Fuifui Moimoi (Eels), Sam McKendry, Frank Pritchard (Panthers), Nathan Fien, Jason Nightingale, Jeremy Smith (Dragons), Roy Asotasi, Issac Luke, Eddy Pettybourne, Fetuli Talanoa (Rabbitohs), Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Joseph Leilua, Mose Masoe, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Sam Perrett, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Roosters), Lewis Brown, Aaron Heremaia, Lance Hohaia, Kevin Locke, Simon Mannering, Ben Matulino, Russell Packer, Sam Rapira, Jerome Ropati, Ukuma Ta'ai, Manu Vatuvei (Warriors), Benji Marshall (Tigers), Thomas Leuluai (Wigan Warriors).

Imagine T. Rex and Manu on the wings! Would be HUGE!

Imagine Tuiaki (if he was fit) and Manu on the wings and T.Rex in the centres

With Sau in the centres too. :p

Lol Winterstein...

1. Lance Hohaia
2. Sam Perrett
3. Junior Sa'u
4. SKD
5. Manu Vatuvei
6. Benji Marshall
7. Thomas Leuluai
8. Fui Fui Moi Moi
9. Isaac Luke
10. Roy Asotasi
11. Simon Mannering
12. Bronson Harrison
13. Jeremy Smith

14. Sam Rapira
15. FPN
16. Frank Pritchard
17. Adam Blair

I'm scared.

I didn't know T-Rex was even a kiwi. Shame on me.

he played for Tonga I think in the World Cup

surely, if fit, foran will b there over Leuluai.

and, id try and fit JWH in there somehow.

In other words, any kiwi in the NRL got selected for this squad.

1-l hohaia
2-t williams/s perrett
3-j sau/j ropati/l brown
4-s kenny-dowall
5-m vatuvai
6-k foran
7-b marshall
8-s rapira
9-i luke
10-r asotasi
11-b harrison
12-f pritchard
13-a blair

14-f moi moi
15-t leuluai/f paul-nuuausala
16-r packer/z taia/g eastwood
17-j smith

18-z taia

Good looking selection, actually.

With Ta'ai choosing to play for Tonga, Tony Williams possibly choosing to want to play for Aussie, Matai suspended for 6 more games, Pritchard gone for the year and possibly losing Foran & Marshall if they go in for surgery. Thought i would post my "likely" team if they are all out...

1. Hohaia
2. Perrett
3. SKD
4. Ropati
5. Vatuvei
6. Leuluai
7. Fien
8. Asotasi
9. Luke
10. Rapira
11. Mannering
12. Harrison
13. Blair

14. Glenn
15. Moimoi
16. Eastwood/Manu
17. Smith

18. FPN/JWH

Still a few unlucky to miss out. In the backs, Nightingale, Inu & Sa'u while in the forwards Masoe, Taia & Pettybourne maybe a bit unlucky.

Sa'u > Ropati imo

I think his partnership with the Beast will get him there. Warriors trio on the left, Roosters duo & Harrison on the right.

Sam Rapira out of Four Nations, my favourite kiwi He is out due to family reasons.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/4179735/Sam-Rapira-out-of-Four-Nations

Push Blair up front, bring Smith into the starting side and bring FPN/JWH onto the bench.

1. Hohaia
2. Perrett
3. SKD
4. Ropati
5. Vatuvei
6. Leuluai
7. Fien
8. Asotasi
9. Luke
10. Blair
11. Mannering
12. Harrison
13. Smith

14. Glenn
15. Moimoi
16. Eastwood/Manu
17. FPN/JWH