Wests Tigers vice-captain Elijah Taylor has been named as part of the 24-man New Zealand squad for the upcoming 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
Taylor has been named in the squad alongside Russell Packer, who will link up with the forward at Wests Tigers in season 2018.
The 27-year-old, who was named as Wests Tigers’ Player of the Year in 2017, was the 18th man for New Zealand earlier this year in the ANZAC Test and will be hoping for a return to the team once again, having already played 10 Tests in his career.
New Zealand begin their World Cup campaign on October 28 when they play Group B opponents Samoa, before facing Scotland on November 4 and Tonga on November 11.
NEW ZEALAND WORLD CUP SQUAD
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors)
Dallin Watene Zelezniak (Penrith Panthers)
Jason Nightingale (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Jordan Rapana (Canberra Raiders)
Gerard Beale (Cronulla Sharks/Vodafone Warriors)
Brad Takairangi (Parramatta Eels)
Dean Whare (Penrith Panthers)
Peta Hiku (Warrington Wolves)
Shaun Johnson (Warriors)
Thomas Leuluai (Wigan Warriors)
Kodi Nikorima (Brisbane Broncos)
Te Maire Martin (North Queensland Cowboys)
Danny Levi (Newcastle Knights)
Adam Blair (Brisbane Broncos/Warriors) captain
Martin Taupau (Manly Sea Eagles)
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters)
Russell Packer (St George Illawarra Dragons/Wests Tigers)
Addin Fonua-Blake (Many Sea Eagles)
Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Melbourne Storm)
Simon Mannering (Warriors)
Kenny Bromwich (Melbourne Storm)
Joseph Tapine (Canberra Raiders)
Isaac Liu (Sydney Roosters)
Elijah Taylor (Wests Tigers)
NEW ZEALAND WORLD CUP SCHEDULE
Saturday, October 28 — New Zealand vs. Samoa at Mount Smart Stadium (NZ)
Saturday, November 4 — New Zealand vs. Scotland at Christchurch Stadium (NZ)
Saturday, November 11 — New Zealand vs. Tonga at Waikato Stadium (NZ)
