Retiring playmaker Kieran Foran will partner Dylan Brown in the halves for the Kiwis in Sunday's Pacific Championships opener against Samoa in Auckland

The pair are part of a six player group returning from the 2023 title-winning squad - along with wing Ronaldo Mulitalo , second rower Briton Nikora and props Moses Leota and Nelson Asofa-Solomona .

Jeremy Marshall-King starts at hooker - three years after his sole test at the 2022 World Cup.

Dally M lock of the year Erin Clark misses out on the 13 jersey to Joe Tapine - who plays primarily at prop for the Raiders.

Meanwhile - five members of the 2025 Warriors squad are named in the Kiwi Ferns side for their clash with Samoa earlier in the afternoon.

Fullback Apii Nicholls, playmaker Patricia Maliepo outside back Tysha Ikenasio and forward Shakira Baker all get starts.

Young prop Ivana Lauititi comes off the bench.

Halfback Raecene McGregor and lock Georgia Hale are named as co-captains.

RUGBY LEAGUE COVERAGE WITH PIT STOP. SAVE UP TO ONE-HUNDRED DOLLARS WITH THIS MONTH'S BRAKE SPECIAL