Foran preparing for Kiwis Test swansong in Pac Champs

Scott Bailey |

Kieran Foran has retired from the NRL, but is a chance to be selected to play for New Zealand.
Kieran Foran has retired from the NRL, but is a chance to be selected to play for New Zealand.

Kieran Foran is preparing to extend his career into the Pacific Championships, with the retiring half still training for a potential New Zealand farewell.

The Kiwis will name their squad for the post-season tournament early this week, with Foran a real chance of playing in the halves against Samoa and Tonga.

New Zealand had the retired Shaun Johnson at No.7 in last year’s Pacific Cup, with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad filling in the No.6 jersey.

Dylan Brown and Jahrome Hughes would likely be the Kiwis’ first-choice halves, but Hughes would be in doubt for the tournament  given his dislocated shoulder.

That will likely leave the door open for Foran to repeat what Johnson did last year, and play in the tournament one month after finishing his NRL career.

Kieran Foran
Kieran Foran is chaired off the ground after his final game for the Titans.
(AAP PHOTOS)

“I think I’m a chance,” Foran told AAP. 

“I’ve had a chat with Stacey (Jones, NZ coach), it’s only been just feeling me out and seeing how I am both physically and mentally. 

“He’s made no assurances to me, but he’s definitely asked if I am interested.”

Foran, who gave one of the greatest speeches of Dally M night on receiving the Ken Stephen Medal, has therefore resumed training for the tournament.

If picked, Foran would bow out with the longest NZ Test career of all time, with this series coming 16 years after his debut for the Kiwis in 2009.

The five-eighth has played 31 Tests, and was part of New Zealand’s squad for the 2014 Four Nations triumph, before last playing for them in 2023.

Kieran Foran
Kieran Foran gave an impressive speech after being awarded the Ken Stephen Medal. (Steve Markham/AAP PHOTOS)

The 35-year-old has kept up a level of training since his last game for Gold Coast in early September, with his career in something of a limbo.

“I went for a run the other day. I feel fresh, but I haven’t been banging into anyone or driving my shoulders in,” Foran said.

“Once I start doing that I will feel sore again. But I have kept the wheels ticking over just in case.

“It hasn’t truly sunk in that I’ve retired yet, because I am still ticking the wheels over.

“If I end up playing for New Zealand and get through that, then I can properly unwind and reflect on what the career has been.”

AAP