Veteran half Shaun Johnson is back in contention for the NZ Kiwis squad to contest the Rugby League World Cup in England next month.
Coach Michael Maguire has named a wider squad of 34 players, with several yet to appear for national team, currently ranked No.1 in the world.
Johnson, 32, has been a regular fixture in the side for a decade and is the Kiwis' all-time leading pointscorer, a milestone achieved at the last World Cup tournament hosted in New Zealand and Australia.
But his wayward form for NZ Warriors this season saw him miss selection for the mid-year test against Tonga, won 50-12 by the Kiwis, sparking doubts over his future with the team.
Maguire is spoilt for choice in most positions, with Dylan Brown, Kieran Foran, Jahrome Hughes, Te Maire Martin, Joseph Manu and Kodi Nikorima others contenders for selection in the halves.
"We wanted to name a wider squad, so we have all options covered while the NRL finals are playing out,” said Maguire. "We're excited about the depth of players available and the form they're in.
"The vast majority of them are in sides that made it into the finals, which is a real positive, as we look ahead to the tournament."
While continued involvement in NRL playoffs may be beneficial for form, it also leaves the door open to further injury and suspensions concerns.
Those yet to play for the Kiwis are Canberra Raiders centres Sebatrian Kris and Matt Timoko, Canterbury Bulldogs hooker Jeremy Marshall-King, North Queensland Cowboys second-rower Griffin Neame, Brisbane Broncos second-rower Jordan Riki, Parramatta Eels winger Bailey Simonsson and Penrith Panthers forward Scott Sorenson.
Of the squad named to face Tonga, Gold Coast hooker Erin Clark has been ruled out, after knee surgery.
The Kiwis face Leeds Rhinos in a World Cup hitout on October 8, before their opening pool match against Lebanon on October 16.
Wider Kiwis squad for Rugby League World Cup: Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Melbourne Storm), Jesse Bromwich (Melbourne Storm), Kenny Bromwich (Melbourne Storm), Dylan Brown (Parramatta Eels), James Fisher-Harris (Penrith Panthers), Kieran Foran (Manly Sea Eagles), Braden Hamlin-Uele (Cronulla Sharks), Corey Harawira-Naera (Canberra Raiders), Peta Hiku (North Queensland Cowboys), Jahrome Hughes (Melbourne Storm), Shaun Johnson (NZ Warriors), Sebastian Kris (Canberra Raiders), Moses Leota (Penrith Panthers), Isaac Liu (Gold Coast Titans), Joseph Manu (Sydney Roosters), Jeremy Marshall-King (Canterbury Bulldogs), Te Maire Martin (Brisbane Broncos), Ken Maumalo (Wests Tigers), Ronaldo Mulitalo (Cronulla Sharks), Griffin Neame (North Queensland Cowboys), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Canberra Raiders), Briton Nikora (Cronulla Sharks), Kodi Nikorima (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Marata Niukore (Parramatta Eels), Isaiah Papali'i (Parramatta Eels), Jordan Rapana (Canberra Raiders), Jordan Riki (Brisbane Broncos), Bailey Simonsson (Parramatta Eels), Brandon Smith (Melbourne Storm), Scott Sorensen (Penrith Panthers), Joseph Tapine (Canberra Raiders), Matthew Timoko (Canberra Raiders), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (NZ Warriors)
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