New Zealand have been forced to turn to Danny Levi and Fa'amanu Brown as hooking options for rugby league's Pacific Championships.
The Kiwis on Wednesday unveiled a 21-man squad for the tournament, with Dylan Brown and Jahrome Hughes set to retain their spots in the halves.
Joey Manu is also included, after missing the end of the season for the Sydney Roosters with a hamstring injury, while the Kiwis pack looks dangerous.
Winger Jamayne Isaako has returned from opting to represent Samoa in 2019, while premiership-winning Penrith props James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota will likely start in the front row.
But it is at No.9 where New Zealand have felt the most pain ahead of their Championships opener against Samoa on October 21.
Roosters hooker Brandon Smith has been sidelined by a hand injury, while Jeremy Marshall-King is unavailable with shoulder trouble.
Kodi Nikorima could have been an option to play No.14 off the bench, but is ruled out due to undertaking best man duties at his brother's wedding according to the New Zealand Rugby League.
Newcastle hooker Phoenix Crossland was also unavailable due to a knee injury, after last month revealing an allegiance to the Kiwis.
Kieran Foran is listed in the squad and would be an option to play dummy-half, but the veteran has not started there at any point in his NRL career.
Instead, Levi and Brown look the most likely to wear No.9.
Levi played hooker for Samoa for the first half of 2022's World Cup, but nominated to play for New Zealand this year.
The 26-year-old played four NRL games at dummy-half at Canberra this season, and 10 in reserve grade.
He played four Tests for New Zealand in 2017.
Brown spent the majority of this year in NSW Cup, after transferring from Canterbury to Newcastle mid-season.
He also played hooker for Samoa in last year's World Cup, and would make his senior Kiwis debut if picked.
Shaun Johnson, Marata Niukore, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Sebastian Kris, Scott Sorensen, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Te Maire Martin, Tohu Harris and Jordan Riki are all unavailable through a combination of injury, suspension and personal reasons.
That has left Griffin Neame, Wiremu Greig, Keano Kini, Leo Thompson, Matthew Timoko and Naufahu Whyte as potential debutants alongside Brown.
The Kiwi Ferns could also have as many as 12 debutants this year after naming their squad.
Following their World Cup final loss to the Jillaroos last year, coach Ricky Henry named a fresh crop of NRLW talent to stamp their mark on the international scene after impressive 2023 seasons.
Among the new debutantes is NRLW rookie of the year medallist Annessa Biddle, who took the NRLW by storm, earning two tries, 1366 running metres and 33 tackle breaks. After being voted the Rugby League Players’ Association NRLW Rookie of the Year, Biddle looks to continue her flying form in Black and White colours.
Olympic gold medallist and dual code star Tyla Nathan-Wong also earned her first Kiwi Ferns selection after an impressive debut NRLW season alongside halves partner and Golden Boot winner Raecene McGregor, while 2023 NRLW champions Shanice Parker, Laishon Albert-Jones and Abigail Roache look to carry on their winning momentum.
Kiwis: Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Dylan Brown, Fa'amanu Brown*, James Fisher-Harris, Kieran Foran, Wiremu Greig*, Jahrome Hughes, Jamayne Isaako, Keano Kini*, Moses Leota, Danny Levi, Joseph Manu, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Griffin Neame*, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Briton Nikora, Isaiah Papali'i, Joseph Tapine, Leo Thompson*, Matthew Timoko*, Naufahu Whyte*
Kiwi Ferns: Abigail Roache, Amelia Pasikala*, Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa*, Annessa Biddle*, Apii Nicholls, Ashleigh Quinlan*, Brooke Anderson*, Capri Paekau*, Cheyelle Robins-Reti*, Georgia Hale, Jasmine Fogavini*, Laishon Albert Jones, Leianne Tufuga* Wests Tigers, Mele Hufanga, Mya Hill-Moana, Najvada George*, Otesa Pule, Raecene McGregor, Shanice Parker, Tiana Davison*, Tyla Nathan-Wong*
- Additional reporting by AAP
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