Kieran Foran's rugby league rehabilitation continues with his inclusion in the Kiwis Test side to play Australia in Canberra on Friday.
Kieran Foran has been included in the Kiwis squad for the upcoming Test against Australia in Canberra. Photo: Photosport NZ
Foran has played 20 Tests for New Zealand but his last was two years ago.
He was unavailable last year for well-publicised personal issues.
While Foran's return was expected coach David Kidwell named two uncapped players in the 20-man squad to prepare for the Test - the Melbourne Storm pair of prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona and hooker Brandon Smith.
Smith is understudy to Kangaroos skipper Cameron Smith at the Storm.
Another surprise inclusion is St George Illawarra prop Russell Packer, whose only two Tests were six years ago.
Packer was convicted of an assault and spent a year in jail in 2014.
The surprise omissions are prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and fellow Sydney Rooster Shaun Kenny-Dowall.
Kidwell has hailed the availability of Warriors pair Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Simon Mannering, who missed all of last year's representative matches with injury.
Kiwis: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Jordan Kahu, Jordan Rapana, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, David Fusitu'a, Dean Whare, Kieran Foran, Shaun Johnson, Kodi Nikorima, Jason Taumalolo, Simon Mannering, Kevin Proctor, Kenny Bromwich, Jesse Bromwich (capt), Adam Blair, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Martin Taupau, Russell Packer, Issac Luke, Brandon Smith.
