DEPARTING Wolves star Peta Hiku has been included in the New Zealand squad for the Rugby League World Cup.
The 24-year-old is named in coach David Kidwell’s 24-man party and could make his first Kiwis appearance since 2015.
Hiku, who has cut short his stay with The Wire to return to his homeland for personal reasons, goes into the tournament in blistering form having scored tries in each of his past eight Wolves games.
New Zealand have been hit by a raft of high-profile defections to Tonga, including Konrad Hurrell, Solomone Kata and star forward Jason Taumalolo, while key prop Jesse Bromwich and second rower Kevin Proctor are not selected after breaking team discipline.
The Kiwis face Tonga, as well as Samoa and Scotland, in the group stages.
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