The bulk of the Kiwis Train-On Squad has been named so I think it's time we did some sussing. I say bulk but there'll be between almost 10 players to be added from the Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Strom so I'll update this list when Stephen Kearney drops his next announcement, which will probably come on Wednesday.

As you would expect, this is a quality group of footy players and it showcases the depth of kiwi NRL talent. We need to keep in mind that this is very much a wider-squad and many of these names won't go to England but selection in this Train-On Squad means that these players are in the frame which is very intriguing for a few of 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.

Kieran Foran (Manly Sea Eagles) - It's been reported that Foran will drop out of the squad, which is obviously a loss but it does open the door for either Benji Marshall or two young halves to step up. Either way, it's all good. I suspect this will be announced mid-week.

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.