Although it's been confirmed the Kiwis will be missing some key players the coach Stephen Kearney says the rugby league world champions will still have a potent team at the inaugural Four Nations tournament in England and France next month.
National selectors Howie Tamati, Tony Kemp, Darrell Williams and Kearney named a 45-man train-on squad early last month from which the 23-man touring team, due to be announced on October 5, will be selected.
An ankle injury had ruled out Melbourne's Sika Manu before the train-on squad was named and
team doctor Simon Mayhew has confirmed seven original train-on squad members are also out of contention.
They include the South Sydney prop Roy Asotasi (knee), the Newcastle back rower Zeb Taia (shoulder), Wests Tigers winger Taniela Tuiaki (ankle) and a quartet of Warriors: Simon Mannering (knee), Sam Rapira (chest), Jerome Ropati (shoulder) and Manu Vatuvei (knee).
The Kiwis assemble in Auckland early next month to prepare for a one-off Test against Tonga in Rotorua on October 14 before flying out to London three days later for their opening Four Nations clash against the Kangaroos in London on October 24.
