As the 2023 Pacific Championships gets underway, Zero Tackle looks at all the players who are absent from the New Zealand Kiwis squad that represented them at last year's Rugby League World Cup.
The players absent included a three-time Penrith Panthers premiership winner, a former New Zealand Kiwis captain and the reigning Dally M Winger of the Year.
3Peta Hiku (North Queensland Cowboys)
Exiting the NRL for a stint overseas in the Super League with the Hull Kingston Rovers, Peta Hiku's decline started after the conclusion of the World Cup as he only managed to score twice in 22 games for the Cowboys.
Representing sporadically since 2014, Hiku has been omitted from the team in favour of centres Matthew Timoko and Joseph Manu. The latter is likely to enter the centres after a stint at fullback, where he won the 2022 Golden Boot due to the arrival of Charnze Nicoll-Kolkstad.
While Hiku has plenty of experience and is versatile in a number of different positions, it is time for the Kiwis to go in a new direction and focus on a new group of back-line players who are presently at their peak or a set to enter their peak.
"We're excited to welcome Peta to Hull KR next season. Peta is proven at every level in the game and brings a wealth of experience to our side," Hull Kingston Rovers coach Willie Peters said.
"It's a real capture to have Peta join us from next season. Peta's high standards in the NRL and for the Kiwis are a testament to his ability on the field and to him as a person.
"We've earmarked Peta to play fullback for us next season with him playing there through the grades and in the NRL.
"However, Peta's versatility will be an asset to us next season as he can play Fullback, Five Eight and Centre, equally well. Peta is a strong leader and a motivated winner."
Previous International Caps: 16 (2014-22)
