 | Auckland, New Zealand, October 21, 2007 - Vastly-experienced centre Clinton Toopi and winger Tame Tupou were today added to the Kiwi squad for its four-test tour of Britain and France.
Initially the New Zealand selectors planned to bring in one player from the All Golds to boost the touring squad complement back up to 24.
But another vacancy arose following the announcement that veteran second rower David Kidwell would return home to Christchurch as soon as possible to support his sick mother. He won't rejoin the tour.
"We had a spot open after the injuries received in last weekend's loss to the Kangaroos in Wellington," said Kiwi coach Gary Kemble.
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"With David's mother being unwell, we now have a second spot available.
"The selectors felt there was good cover in the back row positions in the forwards so it was decided to bring in two more backs instead."
Toopi and Tupou both played for the Kiwis last year, Toopi boasting 19 tests since his debut in 2001 while Tupou has three.
Kemble said he would name a 19-man squad tomorrow to prepare for the first test against Great Britain in Huddersfield this Saturday (October 27).
The full touring squad is:
LOUIS ANDERSON (Warriors)
ROY ASOTASI (Captain) (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
GREG EASTWOOD (Brisbane Broncos)
DAVID FAIUMU (North Queensland Cowboys)
DENE HALATAU (Wests Tigers)
SHONTAYNE HAPE (Bradford Bulls)
LANCE HOHAIA (Warriors))
SHAUN KENNY-DOWALL (Sydney Roosters)
EPALAHAME LAUAKI (Warriors)
THOMAS LEULUAI (Wigan Warriors)
JEFF LIMA (Melbourne Storm)
SIMON MANNERING (Warriors)
FUIFUI MOIMOI (Parramatta Eels)
SAM PERRETT (Sydney Roosters)
FRANK PRITCHARD (Penrith Panthers)
SAM RAPIRA (Warriors)
BEN ROBERTS (Bulldogs)
JEREMY SMITH (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
JEREMY SMITH (Melbourne Storm)
CHASE STANLEY (St George Illawarra Dragonss)
CLINTON TOOPI (Leeds Rhinos)
TANIELA TUIAKI (Wests Tigers)
TAME TUPOU (Bradford Bulls)
PAUL WHATUIRA (Wests Tigers)
