The Kiwis have dumped captain Jesse Bromwich and teammate Kevin Proctor from World Cup contention in the wake of drug allegations levelled at the pair.
The punishment was handed down by New Zealand Rugby League and Kiwis Coach David Kidwell in relation to allegations the Kiwi duo were caught buying cocaine following the Anzac Test.
Read the full statement below:
Kiwis Coach David Kidwell and New Zealand Rugby League have made the decision that Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor will not be considered for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup campaign.
"I can't express my disappointment enough in their actions in the early hours of Saturday morning.
"We have values to uphold, they have broken my trust, their teammates trust and the trust of the New Zealand public," Kidwell says.
"In our Te Iwi Kiwi house no one is bigger than the team. "Now we move forward and focus on the Rugby League World Cup."
Chief Executive Alex Hayton says "NZRL 100% backs the decision not to consider these two men.
"We must uphold the values of the game. "NZRL and the Kiwis will continue to work hard to ensure the people of New Zealand are proud to support our teams both on and off the field."