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.

4Sebastian Kris (Canberra Raiders)

Best 17 for 2022: Canberra Raiders
WAGGA WAGGA, AUSTRALIA - MAY 08: Sebastian Kris of the Raiders runs with the ball during the round nine NRL match between the Canberra Raiders and the Newcastle Knights at , on May 08, 2021, in Wagga Wagga, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

Michael Maguire confirmed that if Sebastian Kris were not banned from competing due to suspension, he would have been a certain starter in the squad - either pairing up with 2023 Dally M Winger of the Year Jamayne Isaako on the wing or playing in the centres.

Making his international debut at the World Cup against Jamaica, Kris has continued to get better and had a breakout season in 2023. However, the chance for him to play in the Kiwis jersey again came to a sudden halt after being hit with a five-game suspension to round out the year.

Kris was sent off during the Round 27 clash against the Cronulla Sharks, with his teammates crumbling out of the game as he was forced to watch on from the dressing rooms.

The tackle, which came in the 60th minute of the game, saw Kris lift Sharks' winger Sione Katoa and dump him well above the horizontal, with the landing appearing to be on the back of his head.

The referee and bunker were realistically left with no choice on the immediate punishment for Kris, and it's a punishment the NRL's match review committee agreed with, pinging him with a Grade 3 charge.

Previous International Caps: 1 (2022)