5 notes from 3 press conferences
I just think his footy is too good to keep him out.
Kodi Nikorima and Jahrome Hughes are New Zealand's halves. Stacey Jones said Hughes has long been in the squad but injuries kept him out the last couple of years. On Nikorima, after a fantastic year for the Dolphins: "I just think his footy is too good to keep him out."
I think it's just more combination stuff... he's just been a great lock for the last couple years.
Erin Clark is at the centre of New Zealand's halves work in camp, with the playmakers building their combinations around him at lock. From New Zealand's media availability: "I think it's just more combination stuff... he's just been a great lock for the last couple years."
Dane Gagai has played for Australia, Queensland, the Māori All-Stars and the Indigenous All-Stars, and says New Zealand is "the last thing for me to do." He is yet to take the field for them: "I'll be doing everything I can to hopefully get a spot on that team."
Kalyn Ponga on choosing New Zealand: "Connecting to my culture is a journey for me. I've been in Australia for a while, but who I am is back home." Dane Gagai on fullback: "There's a lot of talent within that number 1 position. We've got Kalyn, Keano" – Ponga and Keano Kini.
It was just a precautionary one... trained really well.
Jahrome Hughes says the niggle he came off with in his last game of the season was minor: "It was just a precautionary one... trained really well." From New Zealand's media availability: Hughes was a little sick recently, the only reason he has a room to himself in camp.