Warriors and Kiwi captain Simon Mannering is among the four players to drop off head coach Andrew McFadden's original 22 man squad for the NRL Nines at Eden Park this weekend.
McFadden was keen to have the 212 game NRL veteran involved but has reached a decision not to run with him before what will be another demanding NRL season.
Also left out of the 22 were Dominique Peyroux and Sebastine Ikahihifo, plus new signing Jonathan Wright, who is still serving a suspension imposed late in his 2014 campaign with Cronulla. All three players were involved in the inaugural NRL Nines last year.
Shaun Johnson captains a side including nine players who appeared in the 2015 tournament at Eden Park, two of that group being new recruits Ryan Hoffman and Bodene Thompson. Also lining up will be Nathaniel Roache.
At 18 he will be among the youngest players involved _ he is one of five players from the 2014 NYC premiership winning Junior Warriors.
Meanwhile, Mannering has completed a player of the year double after last night collecting the premier accolade at the New Zealand Rugby League annual awards.
Mannering was acknowledged as his club's top player for his deeds during the NRL season and last night his consistency throughout the year saw him hailed as the 2014 Kiwi player of the year.
During the year, he brought up his 200th NRL game for the club and 100th as captain in spectacular style, scoring two tries in a victory over the Newcastle Knights.
After claiming the Warriors award for the fourth time, Mannering took his tremendous form into the international season, leading his side to the Four Nations title, defeating Australia twice in the process.
It was the first time in more than 60 years that the Kiwis had achieved this in the same calendar year.
Mannering had to fight off challenges from team mates Shaun Johnson and Jesse Bromwich. Johnson was man of the match in both victories over the Kangaroos while Bromwich compiled a breakout year that saw him emerge as one of the world's top front rowers.
Honours for international rookie of the year went to giant North Queensland forward Jason Taumalolo (21), who was in rampaging form for his NRL club and finally made his debut for the Kiwis after a couple of years in waiting.
Milton's Rory Ferguson, a boarder at John McGlashan College in Dunedin, was named the 16s player of the year.
Warriors squad
For NRL Nines
Shaun Johnson (c), Matthew Allwood, Nathan Friend, Ben Henry, Ryan Hoffman, Solomone Kata, Ngani Laumape, Sam Lisone, Tuimoala Lolohea, Sione Lousi, Suaia Matagi, Ben Matulino, Ken Maumalo, Nathaniel Roache, Bodene Thompson, Sam Tomkins, Chad Townsend, Manu Vatuvei.
