New Zealand hit by injury crisis with eight debutants in Pacific Championships squad

Today at 09:15 PM

• Dally M Medal winner Jahrome Hughes in Kiwis side for two Tests
• Penrith rising star Paul Alamoti to make debut with Tonga

Stacey Jones has been forced to call up two fringe first-graders to his maiden New Zealand camp as the Kiwis coach named a heavily depleted squad for the Pacific Championships. Penrith duo Trent Toelau and Casey McLean were the surprise inclusions in Jones's squad, with the pair boasting just 16 games of NRL experience between them. The uncapped Panthers have spent most of the season playing in the NSW Cup.

Meanwhile, rising Panthers star Paul Alamoti has capped his breakout season with the Panthers by being called into a Tongan squad dripping with talent. Centre Alamoti, who scored the match-winning try in Sunday's NRL grand final win over Melbourne, is one of five debutants called up by coach Kristian Woolf.