Kiwis centre Steve Matai has been named in a 43-strong Four Nations train-on squad despite facing a minimal seven-week ban for a reckless high tackle.
The 26-year-old has been hit with his fifth judiciary charge in two years after he knocked out Canterbury hooker Michael Ennis – late and off the ball – in Manly's loss last Sunday.
An early guilty plea would mean a seven-game suspension, ending his chances of pulling on a black jersey, but their is cover with form NRL centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Jerome Ropati, Junior Sa'u and Alex Glenn all included in New Zealand's power-packed squad.
Warriors talisman Manu Vatuvei, Wests Tigers skipper Benji Marshall and Souths pocket rocket Issac Luke are other big names that will lead the Kiwis' charge.
Wigan halfback Thomas Leuluai and Leeds back-rower Greg Eastwood have also been named in the squad for the end-of-season series.
Leuluai, who is seen as a hooker by Kiwi boss Stephen Kearney, and Eastwood, who is quitting Leeds at the end of the season, are the only Super League-based players included in an initial group.
They were in last year's Four Nations team and will link up with their team-mates after their clubs' involvement in the Grand Final series, just in time for the warm-up Test against Samoa in Auckland on October 16.
NRL Players, though, provide the majority of the squad and in a good indication of the talent at New Zealand's disposal, the top eight clubs have provided 31 names.
Table-topping St George-Illawarra have supplied Nathan Fien, Jason Nightingale and Jeremy Smith, while the Warriors account for 11 members, highlighted by Vatuvei and his partner in crime Lance Hohaia.
"The fact we have so many of the train-on squad involved in finals football starting this weekend is a major boost for us," said Kearney.
"It has to be beneficial having such a significant number with the chance of going well into the finals, perhaps all the way to the grand final."
Of the 43 players named, 12 are yet to make their national debuts. Warriors' winger Kevin Locke and South Sydney back rower Eddy Pettybourne were both in the Kiwis' official touring party for last year's Four Nations in England and France but did not make it onto the field.
Warriors' second rower Ukuma Ta'ai and Manly winger Tony Williams have both previously represented Tonga and their eligibility has yet to be confirmed with the Rugby League International Federation.
Kiwis Preliminary Squad: Alex Glenn, Antonio Winterstein (all Brisbane), Bryson Goodwin, Ben Roberts (Canterbury Bulldogs), Bronson Harrison (Canberra), Greg Eastwood (Leeds), Kieran Foran, Steve Matai, Tony Williams (Manly), Adam Blair, Sika Manu (Melbourne), Junior Sa'u, Zeb Taia (Newcastle), Krisnan Inu, Fuifui Moimoi (Parramatta), Sam McKendry, Frank Pritchard (Penrith), Nathan Fien, Jason Nightingale, Jeremy Smith (St George Illawarra), Roy Asotasi, Issac Luke, Eddy Pettybourne, Fetuli Talanoa (South Sydney), Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Joseph Leilua, Mose Masoe, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Sam Perrett, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters), Lewis Brown, Aaron Heremaia, Lance Hohaia, Kevin Locke, Simon Mannering, Ben Matulino, Russell Packer, Sam Rapira, Jerome Ropati, Ukuma Ta'ai, Manu Vatuvei (New Zealand Warriors), Benji Marshall (Wests Tigers), Thomas Leuluai (Wigan).