Despite the uncertainty surrounding the availability of players for the Aotearoa vs England Test in Denver, this is the most intrigued I have been about the selection of a Kiwis squad in my time covering kiwi rugby league. This is predominantly because we have a new Kiwis coach in Michael Maguire and no one honestly knows how Maguire is thinking in terms of building his Kiwis squad.

The refreshing vibes of Maguire as Kiwis coach, are slightly countered by the selection panel that played their role in the horrible Kiwis World Cup campaign still holding on to their positions. Even this holds intrigue though as the balance of power between Maguire as head coach and the selection panel will need to be sussed out; I doubt that Maguire would have taken this job if he didn't have the power to select the players he wants.

I'm also eager, or more so hoping that Maguire can somehow hustle together a Kiwis 'B' program to bridge the gap between Junior Kiwis and Kiwis, or even worse the NRL and Kiwis. For those who don't make a Kiwis squad, there's literally nothing for them and this misses a golden opportunity to build a genuine Kiwis culture in the wider group of players who are likely to feature in this World Cup cycle. If Maguire wants to build a strong Kiwis program, there needs to be levels for the players to develop through and absorb the Kiwis vibes.

Below you will find notes about points of interest in this Kiwis squad. I am assuming that the likes of David Fusitu'a, Jason Taumalolo, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Solomone Kata, Manu Ma'u etc will continue to represent Tonga and I encourage youz to make the same assumption. That means that if they do opt for Aotearoa, then it's a bonus and I also wish to highlight the depth that is on offer for Maguire.

Fullback

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will be the fullback, pretty simple here.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has snapped up his opportunity at fullback for Penrith Panthers, but if Tuivasa-Sheck is fit and available he gets the gig.

Depth Chart: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Peta Hiku, Jordan Kahu, Jahrome Hughes.

Wings

Jordan Rapana is a likely starter and Watene-Zelezniak's form has helped his chances for a wing spot. Jason Nightingale is always in the mix and his Kiwis mana deserves respect, plus Shaun Kenny-Dowall can't be overlooked as a possibility.

Jamayne Isaako has demanded attention through match-winning performances on the wing for Brisbane Broncos, putting him ahead of Joseph Manu and also Ken Maumalo. Maumalo's development with the Warriors has been low key amazing and although he's a long shot for the Denver Test, if Maumalo wants a Kiwis jersey, he could work himself into the top-two if he continues his trajectory.

As good as Isaako has been, he's a youngster who still has to earn selection ahead of certified internationals. Isaako and Maumalo will be eligible for Samoa as well. 

Maguire will have to chose between Nightingale and Isaako as cover in the squad, much of that though will depend on what he does with his centres.

Depth Chart: Jordan Rapana, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Jamayne Isaako, Jason Nightingale, Ken Maumalo (S), Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Joseph Manu, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak.

Centres

Dean Whare is locked in at left centre.

That leaves Esan Marsters, Peta Hiku, Jordan Kahu, Gerard Beale and Brad Takairangi competing for limited spots. 

Marsters has been in exceptional form for Wests Tigers, to the point that he's an irresistable selection and his main competition will come from Kahu. I wouldn't be mad if Kahu got the job and Marsters was still selected in the squad, thus easing Marsters into the Kiwis set up, nor would I be mad to see Marsters get a debut, such has been his form this season.
Kahu and Beale can also be considered as wingers, as can Hiku to an extent. 

Maguire will again be tossing between experience and youth, but there should be room for both Kahu and Marsters in the squad.

Depth Chart: Dean Whare, Esan Marsters, Jordan Kahu, Peta Hiku, Gerard Beale, Brad Takairangi.

Halves

There are a few options in the halves, mainly because no one has commanded a spot and there's the injury to Shaun Johnson. 

If Johnson is healthy, he should be there and while Kieran Foran hasn't been doing anything of note with the Bulldogs, he is a proven performer at this level and deserves to be considered. 

Benji Marshall offers the most competition to Foran and if Maguire deems Foran's form as not being worthy, then he will likely roll with Marshall. I have and always will be of the opinion that Marshall should be selected in every Kiwis squad as he's the perfect bloke to have in camp, leading the Kiwis culture; Marshall has proven himself as the ultimate team-man in recent years and would be a great help to Maguire in setting up the coach's system.

There are a number of players who would benefit immensely from a Kiwis 'B' program and I've outlined that at the end of this. Te Maire Martin is the perfect example as he's not doing enough to oust Johnson, Foran or Marshall in the squad, but Martin will be an important cog as we move through the next four years. 

Depth Chart: Shaun Johnson, Kieran Foran, Benji Marshall, Te Maire Martin, Kodi Nikorima.

Hooker

Issac Luke will start.

What happens below Luke will be a major point of intrigue as Maguire will have to decide what he does with the bench. 

If Maguire wants a bench utility, Kodi Nikorima is the best option. Regular readers know how I feel on this matter; when the Kiwis were beating Australia and Brisbane Broncos made the Grand Final, Nikorima was used off the bench at dummy half.

My preference would be for a bench spot to go to a utility, instead of four forwards and selecting a forward who can cover utility at a stretch.

Danny Levi and Brandon Smith are also in that Nikorima mould. I view them as excellent options off the bench and I slightly prefer Smith ahead of Levi.

Slade Griffin on the other hand is the better starting option and I'd have Griffin as the starter behind Luke, if Luke were unavailable, then you can rotate Griffin with the x-factor off the bench.

International footy is all about that x-factor off the bench and while carrying Griffin on the bench during an NRL season would be fantastic, the Kiwis bench needs speed and skill.

Depth Chart: Issac Luke, Slade Griffin, Kodi Nikorima, Brandon Smith, Danny Levi.

Middles

Jesse Bromwich and Adam Blair are mandatory selections, as is Martin Taupau. They would be my starting middle trio.

There is a wealth of talent competing for bench spots, three bench spots if we go with my bench utility selection. 

I can't separate Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Addin Fonua-Blake and James Fisher-Harris. All three of these young bucks have been exceptional this season and I can't really see any other middle forward demanding selection ahead of them.

Other options include Isaac Liu, Kenny Bromwich, Ben Matulino, Russell Packer, Elijah Taylor. 
A lot depends on the balance of the team/squad and whether it's a bench or starting spot that opens up through unavailabilities. For example; Matulino and Packer would be ideal blokes to step in and start if Bromwich, Blair or Tauapu were unavailable and Fisher-Harris can also cover edge, making him a good bench option.

Depth Chart: Jesse Bromwich, Adam Blair, Martin Taupau, Addin Fonua-Blake, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, James Fisher-Harris, Ben Matulino, Russell Packer, Kenny Bromwich, Isaac Liu, Elijah Taylor.

Edges

Tohu Harris has one edge locked down.

Alex Glenn, Joseph Tapine and Corey Harawira-Naera are the best options in competition for the other edge spot.

It was kinda crazy that Simon Mannering was apparently in danger of missing out on World Cup squad selection, but with those four competing for two spots, now it's not impossible to imagine Mannering missing out. This is a Kiwis top-17 though and not a big squad for a World Cup, so far less crazy than Mannering not being viewed as among Aotearoa's best for a World Cup.

Mannering's versatility and experience could see him leap-frog younger blokes and seal a squad spot. Maguire can legit use Mannering as a middle or an edge forward and while I think the younger options are better, there's no negative to selecting Mannering.

Harawira-Naera has made NRL footy look like a breeze since making his debut, Glenn and Tapine are also in righteous form. I'd love to see Glenn get a consistent crack as a Kiwis edge forward, so that's my preference but that's not to say that Tapine isn't worthy and his size/footwork package in conjunction with Harris on the other edge would be potent.

Although I'm set on my three bench forwards, there is plenty of wiggle-room for Tapine, Glenn and Harawira-Naera to force their way on to the bench. This will purely come down to what Maguire wants from his bench.

Depth Chart: Tohu Harris, Alex Glenn, Joseph Tapine, Simon Mannering, Corey Harawira-Naera, Kevin Proctor.

Below is a group of players who I expect to be on the fringes of Kiwis selection for the Denver Test, who I would put into a Kiwis 'B' camp. With development in mind, they are all younger lads and I would also sprinkle a few older blokes with Kiwis experience (Nightingale, Mannering, Marshall) into this group to offer their experience.

Esan Marsters, Joseph Manu, Jamayne Isaako, Corey Harawira-Naera, Brandon Smith, Danny Levi, Te Maire Martin, Slade Griffin, Ava Seumanufagai, Jahrome Hughes, Moeaki Fotuaika, Isaac Liu, James Fisher-Harris, Jeremy Marshall-King. 

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Peace and love 27.