In a surprise move, Warriors player and 2026 NRL hooker of the year Wayde Egan has been spotted training with the Kiwis team.
Footage posted to social media showed the 29-year-old Australian in Kiwis colours at training on Thursday.
Warriors teammate and Kiwis fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad seemed taken aback to be asked about Egan's presence at a media call.
"Oh, I didn't know everyone knew that he was in camp," Nicoll-Klokstad said. "[We] have to keep everything under the hush."
Egan was eligible to represent New Zealand at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup under residency rules – but he wasn't selected by coach Stacey Jones, with the player citing prior commitments.
However, Nicoll-Klokstad said today it was "cool to have Wayde into camp".
"He looks really good in black, eh? He's trying to prepare us as best we can this weekend and we will see if things progress."
There’s a family affair to the rugby league fixture and also a surprise presence in the Kiwis camp. (Source: 1News)
NZ Rugby League officials told RNZ Egan had not been called into the squad, with a team spokesperson saying he was "just having a run".
Coincidentally, it was also announced this afternoon that Egan had extended his contract with the Warriors through to the end of the 2028 NRL season.
The Kiwis will face off against the Cook Islands at Te Kaha One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch at 6.05pm on Sunday.
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