In two days time we will know the final squad for the Tour Of England. This will coincide with the naming of players from the Brisbane Broncos - possibly Jordan Kahu, Alex Glenn, Adam Blair and Kodi Nikorima as well as players from the NRL Champion North Queensland Cowboys. From the Cowboys we will definitely see Jason Taumalolo and could possibly also see Antonio Winterstein as well.

Since the last update to this Train-On Squad, Kieran Foran has pulled out and fair enough. Cameron Smith spoke after the Melbourne Storm's loss to the Cowboys about the Australian rep players having some actual time off and Foran has featured heavily for the Kiwis recently, so if he's got an elbow niggle that he wants to sort out then that's all good. You can also bet that his new club, the Parramatta Eels wouldn't have wanted him playing for the Kiwis right now.

The elephant in the room, well for the media anyway is the non-selection of Benji Marshall. I've already said that I'm all good with this despite loving Benji as I do. The Kiwis have a great forward pack and a lethal weapon in Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, so it doesn't really matter who plays in the halves and I see this as a great time to develop the next tier of depth. The Kiwis have never had halves depth - it takes planning and opportunities like this to suss that depth.

Here's the new players added...

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Sydney Roosters) - The best fullback in the NRL. 

Sam Moa (Sydney Roosters) - One of the Roosters' best all season, especially when Jared Waerea-Hargreaves went down injured. Moa is built like a brick shit-house and runs it straight ... and hard.

Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Sydney Roosters) - Despite a horrible game in Brisbane, Kenny-Dowall has been in great form with the Roosters since returning to the team. Who knows how his personal situation is, but we can assume that he's good to go seeing as he's selected. His ability to cover both centre and wing at a very high level is handy.

Sio Siua Taukeiaho (Sydney Roosters) - I suggest we all get ready for the three T's - Taukeiaho, Taupau and Taumalolo. Taukeiaho is an absolute beast and deserves higher honours for such a breakout season in which he was one of the hardest blokes in the NRL to tackle.

Issac Liu (Sydney Roosters) - A surprise selection, but a good surprise. Liu has done a solid job for the Roosters all season filling the gaps whether starting or off the bench. While Taukeiaho was busting tackles, Liu gets through his share of tackles and hit-ups without much fuss and is cut from a similar workhorse cloth as the likes of Elijah Taylor and Simon Mannering.

Matt McIllwrick (Sydney Roosters) - The same can be said about Cantabrian McIllwrick who is a hooker/lock who gets through a mountain of work. We didn't see too much of him with the Roosters this season, but it's a positive sign that Stephen Kearney has him on his radar as McIllwrick is a very tough customer who compliments the power game of the Kiwis.

Jesse Bromwich (Melbourne Storm) - Not sure if I can say that Bromwich is the best prop in the NRL after what I've see from Matt Scott and James Tamou recently, but Bromwich is great.

Tohu Harris (Melbourne Storm) - A certain selection, but also a very interesting one. Harris could find himself playing in the halves in England, which is funky and we like the funk here at the Nichey Niche.

Kevin Proctor (Melbourne Storm) - A certainty.

They join these lads...

Gerard Beale (Cronulla Sharks) - Beale has enjoyed a solid season with the Sharks, after what can only be considered a slow start. I've got Beale as being a fringe squad member who will be lucky to make the touring squad and even luckier to see game time in England as we've got better centre options.

Lewis Brown (Penrith Panthers) - A certain selection, Brown didn't make the 17-man squad for the ANZAC Test but he's a crucial member of any Kiwis squad. Brown should be on the plane to England given his ability to play numerous positions at a high level and he also offers something different from what our other forward offer as he's smaller and more nimble.

Manaia Cherrington (Wests Tigers) - It will be interesting to see whether Cherrington makes it to England or not as he's a youngster with plenty of potential but he's definitely below Issac Luke on the depth chart. Cherrington enjoyed a good season in with the Tigers in Robbie Farah's absence and he's a long-term dummy half option for the Kiwis which is the perfect reason to take him on tour.

Greg Eastwood (Canterbury Bulldogs) - Eastwood is someone who is amongst the NRL's upper echelon in the forwards but rarely gets the praise that he deserves. There isn't a shortage of 'locks' in this squad with Martin Taupau and Jason Taumalolo both of a rather beastly nature, but Eastwood will fit in as what is now called a 'middle forward'. I still think Eastwood should be in the best-17 for the Kiwis.

Sosaia Feki (Cronulla Sharks) - A well deserved call up for Feki who has previously represented Tonga but Wikipedia says he was born in Auckland so booyakasha. I love Feki and am over the moon that he's been named in this squad and I hope he gets to go to England as he's been consistently good for over a season with the Sharks. There's a chance that Feki will make the squad but he's got plenty of competition.

Bryson Goodwin (South Sydney Rabbitohs) - This is a funky little curve ball, but it's hard to argue with Goodwin's selection as he's been a shining light with the Rabbitohs. I'm not overly keen on Goodwin going to England as I think we have some better options and younger options that should be selected over Goodwin, but Goodwin won't look out of place starting on the wing.

Peta Hiku (Manly Sea Eagles) - A lock in selection, like Foran and Simon Mannering which is due praise for Hiku. A mark of Hiku's ability is how noticeable it was when he had a poor game with the Sea Eagles upon his return from injury as he's always playing at a high level. Hiku's interest lies in what position he will play as he can play centre of wing, but I'm leaning towards Hiku joining Dean Whare as our starting centres.

Solomone Kata (NZ Warriors) - As a spreader of the rugby league gospel, I would have rather have seen Kata represent Tonga for the rest of his career but I can't really say shit about his decision to become a Kiwi. Kata had a great season and will benefit greatly from this experience with the Kiwis and he could benefit from a lack of centres, earning a plane ticket to England. It could come down to Kata vs Beale and I'd much rather see Kata given the win there.

Tuimoala Lolohea (NZ Warriors) - Kearney has named a few young halves and understandably so, with Lolohea someone to keep an eye on as he could be given the opportunity to partner Foran in the halves. I'm picking Lolohea to go to England as he can cover a range of positions and there's that hole in the halves for him to aim for.

Issac Luke (South Sydney Rabbitohs) - Lock it in.

Simon Mannering (NZ Warriors) - The Skipper, lock it in.

Te Maire Martin (Wests Tigers) - The bolter. Martin hasn't played in the NRL yet but you can't find fault in Kearney's decision to include Martin in the Train-On Squad. I had a feeling that Kearney might go this route and I love it, but Martin will need to train the house down to make the squad to tour England. I love him being in this squad and would love it even more if he broke through and earned a Kiwis jumper.

Ben Matulino (NZ Warriors) - Lock it in.

Manu Ma'u (Parramatta Eels) - Watching the Eels this season was often a difficult task, but if you had any interest in Ma'u then you would have had a smile on your dial all season. Ma'u consistently played 80 minutes, which is impressive even before you consider the intenstity he plays with and the level of aggression he serves up. I reckon Ma'u is a smokey for the England tour as he's cut from the same cloth as the rest of the Kiwis forward pack that has made them the best in the world. 

Sam McKendry (Penrith Panthers) - Many wouldn't find McKendry a 'sexy' selection as he isn't a household name but he found some resurgent form this season with the Panthers. I would be happy to see him included to tour England but it's hard to see him getting much game time over our great props that we have. I've got McKendry missing out on the tour but that's not a reflection on him, he's just got some of the game's best ahead of him.

Jason Nightingale (St George Dragons) - Faith will be shown in Nightingale, but be prepared to see Nightingale overtaken by the young crop of outside backs that we have. Again, this isn't a reflection on Nightingale as he's a fine winger who rarely puts a foot wrong but there are some mighty fine wingers coming through. I do expect him to be named in the main squad though.

Curtis Rona (Canterbury Bulldogs) - If you have an epic try-scoring season like Rona has and don't get the call up then we'd have a serious issue. Rona's a youngin' but it's hard to ignore his ability to not only finish but in the air and carting the ball forward as he's a pretty big lad. The dilemma for Kearney will be whether to pick Rona over Nightingale for example as I expect Rona to travel to England.

Tim Simona (Wests Tigers) - A weird selection and one that probably came out thanks to our lack of depth at the centre position. I don't see Simona making it to England and I would rather Kata be given the opportunity in the Kiwis jersey, but he probably deserves to be a part of the wider group.

Martin Taupau (Wests Tigers) - #BeastMode

Elijah Taylor (Penrith Panthers) - In my eyes, Taylor is exactly the player that this Kiwis team requires but not just yet as Mannering is still holding down that 'glue' spot. Taylor is a workhorse who has plenty of skill as well which will compliment the power game of the Kiwis forward pack. Whether there's room for Taylor in the best-17, I'm not sure but I'll definitely have him going to England.

Bodene Thompson (NZ Warriors) - Another player who thoroughly deserves to be on the fringes of our best-17 but it's hard to see him leap-frogging the likes of Tohu Harris, Kevin Proctor and Mannering to get game time on the edge. Thompson should be a part of the squad to tour England thanks to a great work ethic and a no-frills style which will go down nicely if/when called upon.

Dean Whare (Penrith Panthers) - Watching the Panthers is so much better when Whare is playing as it's great to see one of our Kiwis in action at such a high level. Whare is now one of the best centres in the NRL and is one of the first names written down every time.