While we've had a number of players ruled out through injury or unavailability, it's a hugely exciting opportunity having the Kiwis playing at home in front of our fans again, Jones said. We've still got a solid core of last year's squad but, the way I see it, it's a fantastic chance for us to build the group to provide lots of options and depth for the future.
The likes of Dylan Brown, Kieran Foran, Moses Leota, Brandon Smith, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Briton Nikora and Jeremy Marshall-King are all unavailable due to injury. Nelson Asofa-Solomona is suspended, while former Sydney Roosters centre Joey Manu has recently switched codes to take up a deal in Japanese rugby union.
Penrith duo Trent Toelau and Casey McLean were the surprise inclusions in Jones's squad, with the pair boasting just 16 games of NRL experience between them. The uncapped Panthers have spent most of the season playing in the NSW Cup.
Rising Panthers star Paul Alamoti has capped his breakout season with the Panthers by being called into a Tongan squad dripping with talent. Centre Alamoti, who scored the match-winning try in Sunday's NRL grand final win over Melbourne, is one of five debutants called up by coach Kristian Woolf.
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