The New Zealand Kiwis have appointed front-rower James Fisher-Harris as their new captain ahead of Saturday's Test match against Samoa.
The three-time Penrith Panthers premiership-winner appointment comes after Dolphins forward Jesse Bromwich recently called an end to his international career days after the Pacific Championships squad was announced.
Bromwich had been a key piece of the New Zealand setup since his debut back in 2012 and has earned 33 caps for the international side.
James Fisher-Harris was officially confirmed as the new Kiwis captain on Saturday night in Auckland at a gathering that included both the New Zealand and New Zealand 'A' squads, as well as former international captains, including the likes of Ruben Wiki, Stephen Kearney, Adam Blair and Nathan Cayless.
The 27-year-old has amassed 180 NRL games to date since 2016 and has continually been a mainstay in the Kiwis forward pack, appearing in 11 games, which included last year's Rugby League World Cup.
โIt's such a privilege and honour to be named to lead my country,โ Fisher-Harris said viaย NRL.com.
"I'm proud to represent my family and the people from where I'm from (in Northland). It'll be a special moment leading my teammates out against Toa Samoa at Eden Park."
New Zealand Kiwis coach Michael Maguire spoke about the appointment of Fisher-Harris, revealing that he is already a core leader in the team and is respected by all players and staff involved with the Kiwis.
โJames has grown into a wonderful leader during my time with the Kiwis,โ Kiwis coach Michael Maguire said.
โHe was a natural choice to become captain for this campaign. He's so respected by all our players and staff alike, very much a leader whose actions do the talking.โ
2022 Golden Boot winnerย Joseph Manu,ย Ronaldo Mulitalo,ย Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad,ย Dylan Brownย andย Jahrome Hughesย will all return to the squad from theย 2022 Rugby League World Cup.
The 2023 Grand Final winning prop pairing ofย James Fisher-Harrisย andย Moses Leotaย will join them alongsideย Isaiah Papali'i,ย Briton Nikora,ย Joseph Tapine,ย Kieran Foranย andย Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
Foran is likely to take the number nine jumper after injuries to the likes ofย Brandon Smithย andย Jeremy Marshall-King.
2023 Dally M Winger of the Yearย Jamayne Isaako will be welcomed back to the squad for the first time since 2019, whileย Fa'amanu Brown,ย Griffin Neame,ย Wiremu Greig,ย Leo Thompson,ย Keano Kiniย Matthew Timokoย andย Naufahu Whyteย will all be looking to make their debuts forย New Zealand.
2023 Kiwis Pacific Championship Squad
Nelson Asofa-Solomonaย (Melbourne Storm)
Dylan Brownย (Parramatta Eels)
Fa'amanu Brownย (Newcastle Knights)*
James Fisher-Harrisย (Penrith Panthers)
Kieran Foranย (Gold Coast Titans)
Wiremu Greigย (Parramatta Eels)*
Jahrome Hughesย (Melbourne Storm)
Jamayne Isaako (The Dolphins)
Keano Kiniย (Gold Coast Titans)*
Moses Leotaย (Penrith Panthers)
Danny Leviย (Canberra Raiders)
Joseph Manuย (Sydney Roosters)
Ronaldo Mulitaloย (Cronulla Sharks)
Griffin Neameย (North Queensland Cowboys)*
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstadย (New Zealand Warriors)
Briton Nikoraย (Cronulla Sharks)
Isaiah Papali'iย (Wests Tigers)
Joseph Tapineย (Canberra Raiders)
Leo Thompsonย (Newcastle Knights)*
Matthew Timokoย (Canberra Raiders)*
Naufahu Whyteย (Sydney Roosters)*
* denotes potential debut
The Kiwis begin their campaign against Toaย Samoa at Eden Park on Saturday, October 21.
