The disappointment of Melbourne Storm's NRL Grand Final defeat may be softened for Jesse Bromwich by David Kidwell's decision to retain the prop as captain in his first New Zealand Test squad.
Bromwich to skipper New Zealand Kiwis in Four Nations
New head coach David Kidwell has retained Jesse Bromwich as skipper in New Zealand's Four Nations squad.
Bromwich was part of the Storm team beaten by Cronulla Sharks in the season decider at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.
The 27-year-old, who skippered the Kiwis for the first time in place of the injured Simon Mannering in the Anzac Test in May, will continue to wear the armband, despite the fit-again second row being recalled.
Kidwell, formally named as the successor to Stephen Kearney last month, omitted Manu Vatuvei and Ben Matulino from the group for the match against the Kangaroos in Perth on October 15, which will be followed by the Four Nations clash with England on October 29.
Vatuvei and Matulino also missed the Anzac Test, which Australia won 16-0, after being stood down by the Warriors over a prescription drug scandal.
Jordan Rapana and Joseph Tapine of Canberra Raiders, the Penrith Panters' Te Maire Martin and Warriors pair David Fusitu'a and Solomone Kata all earned call-ups for the first time.
New Zealand squad in full:
Gerard Beale, Adam Blair, Jesse Bromwich, Lewis Brown, Greg Eastwood, David Fusitu'a, Tohu Harris, Shaun Johnson, Jordan Kahu, Solomone Kata, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Thomas Leuluai, Issac Luke, Simon Mannering, Te Maire Martin, Manu Ma'u, Jason Nightingale, Kevin Proctor, Jordan Rapana, Joseph Tapine, Jason Taumalolo, Martin Taupau, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
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