Stacey Jones names strong Kiwis World Cup squad
NZ Kiwis coach Stacey Jones has rolled the dice with just one specialist hooker in a 23-man squad to contest the Rugby League World Cup over the next two months.
NZ Warriors skipper James Fisher-Harris – named Dally M NRL Captain of the Year last week – will lead the national team in Australia and New Zealand, with four players poised to make their Kiwis debuts.
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Jones has named Jeremy Marshall-King as his frontline No.9, but has opted not to replace Phoenix Crossland, who missed the NRL grand final on Sunday and still has three games to serve, after his suspension for a dangerous tackle in Newcastle Knights’ preliminary final win over Penrith Panthers.
His hipdrop tackle broke the ankle of superstar half Nathan Cleary, sidelining him for Australia’s World Cup defence, and would have kept Crossland out of New Zealand’s three pool games against the Kangaroos, Cook Islands and Fiji.
“We had a bit of a juggling act around that.” Jones said. “It’s a tricky one.
“Phoenix is part of our next group down, so if we pick up any sort of injuries, he could become available after his suspension.
“It was a bit of tough one – he doesn’t get to play any of the pool games or anything like that.
“Jeremy Marshall-King has had a wonderful year, and Te Maire Martin, Kodi Nikorima and Erin Clark are guys that can do a back-up role.”
Marshall-King debuted for the Kiwis in 2022, but has logged only three tests. He broke his thumb in their Pacific Championship opener against Samoa last year and made a late start to the 2026 NRL season, after suffering a knee injury at home.
Other talking points from the Kiwis World Cup squad include:
Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga and centre Dane Gagai have completed their switch of allegiance from Australia to New Zealand, after previously representing Australia internationally.
Ponga was born in Western Australia, but has a Māori father and lived five years of his childhood in Palmerston North, winning an NZ U13 golf championship.
He repped Australia at the 2019 World Cup 9s and has played State of Origin for Queensland, but has also fronted for the Māori All Stars three times.
Veteran Gagai, 35, claims both Māori and Indigenous roots through his parents. He has made 23 Origin appearances for Queensland and seven tests for Australia in 2017/18.
“Two players that have come off a grand final and have had wonderful seasons,” Jones said. “Dane Gagai, I spoke to him yesterday and what it means to him to be part of this squad.
“Kalyn has always wanted to represent the Kiwis and, obviously with Origin rules and eligibility now for him makes it smoother.”
Young Warriors forwards Jacob Laban and Tanner Stowers-Smith have continued their progression with a call up to international league.
Laban, 22, has now logged 44 games across three NRL seasons and cemented his starting position in the second row during 2026, while Stowers-Smith, 22, has 34 first-grade appearances to his name, most off the interchange bench.
He complete some family history, following great-grandfather and former Kiwis captain Pat Smith into the black jersey.
“They deserve to be there,” Jones said. “Jakey was our Players’ Player of the Year this year and Tanner, what he did coming off the bench.
“They’re going to add something to this group – some young boys in there that will keep the older guys on their toes.”
Former Dally M Medallist Jahrome Hughes returns to the Kiwis, after missing the last two years through injury.
“The last two years for Jahrome, he played in grand finals and battled his way through injury,” Jones said. “This year, not making playoffs for Melbourne was probably a blessing for us, as Kiwis.
“We knew we would have a halfback that would be fresh, and he’s super excited to get in this team and have a crack at the World Cup.”
Sydney Roosters front-rower Naufahu Whyte will join the team, after winning an NRL premiership and considered unlucky by many not to take the Clive Churchill Medal as man of the match.
Whyte and Fisher-Harris were named Dally M Props of the Year, and provide a solid foundation for the Kiwis World Cup campaign.
“Unreal,” Jones declared. “I feel the form he had this year was the form he had last year.
“I’ve sat down with him a few times and [discussed] what he wants to achieve in the game, and he’s certainly heading in the right direction.
“Winning a premiership will be pretty special to him, but it would be pretty cool winning a World Cup as well.”
New Zealand kick off their tournament against Australia at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium on October 15.
The full Kiwis squad is:
Hooker – Jeremy Marshall-King
Props – James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Leo Thompson, Naufahu Whyte
Second row – Jacob Laban, Briton Nikora, Isaiah Papali’i, Scott Sorenson, Xavier Willison
Locks – Joseph Tapine, Erin Clark
Halves – Jahrome Hughes, Te Maire Martin, Kodi Nikorima
Centres – Dane Gagai, Casey McLean
Wings – Jamayne Isaako, Ronaldo Mulitalo
Fullbacks – Keano Kini, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Kalyn Ponga
