Kiwis captain Simon Mannering has been ruled out of the upcoming tour of England.
The 41-Test veteran was expected to lead the Kiwis after being named in the wider training squad but has pulled out with gastric issues that affected him over the closing weeks of the NRL season.
"While tests we've conducted haven't revealed anything to cause alarm, Simon still isn't right to and requires further assessment," said Warriors head doctor John Mayhew.
Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney described his decision as a "huge blow" but said it provided an opportunity for other players to be trialled as captain.
"We know Simon wants to be with us and this decision will be a huge blow for him, as it is for us," said Kearney, who will announce his touring team on Thursday.
"But his long-term health is very important to us, especially with the Four Nations scheduled for next year and, of course, the next World Cup in New Zealand and Australia the following year.
"He's our captain and our leader, but we’ll still have a strong leadership team to draw on and his absence this time will give us a chance to develop some other players in that role."
Mannering took over as captain of New Zealand ahead of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, leading them to their 2014 Four Nations and 2015 Anzac Test successes.
The England tour begins on October 23 with a warm-up game against Leeds Rhinos, with the three Tests scheduled for Hull (November 1), London's Olympic Stadium (November 7) and Wigan (November 14).
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