Ponga, Williams, Clarke headline Kiwis' extended World Cup squad

Parramatta's Jack Williams, Newcastle's Kalyn Ponga and Melbourne's Cooper Clarke headline New Zealand's extended World Cup squad. Ponga is on the verge of his Kiwis debut after rule changes made him eligible for both Queensland and New Zealand in the same year. Williams is set for his own debut pending IRL eligibility clearance, with the Kiwis also winning the battle for Clarke over England and Australia. Newcastle's Francis Manuleleua and North Queensland's Thomas Mikaele face a decision after being picked in both the New Zealand and Samoan squads. Squad: Joe Chan, Cooper Clarke, Erin Clark, Phoenix Crossland, James Fisher-Harris, Salesi Foketi, Jahrome Hughes, Jamayne Isaako, Josiah Karapani, Keano Kini, Seb Kris, Jacob Laban, Moses Leota, Francis Manuleleua, Jeremy Marshall-King, Te Maire Martin, Casey McLean, Thomas Mikaele, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Briton Nikora, Kodi Nikorima, Isaiah Papalii, Fonua Pole, Kalyn Ponga, Jordan Riki, Brandon Smith, Scott Sorensen, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Joseph Tapine, Taine Tuaupiki, Leo Thompson, Matthew Timoko, Trent Toelau, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Naufahu Whyte, Jack Williams, Xavier Willison.

By Michael Carayannis, Brent Read, Code Sports — read the full story