Sinfield out in the cold for New Zealand Test

Kevin Sinfield, the Leeds captain, was the notable omission when the Great Britain coach, Brian Noble, trimmed his squad for the Test match against New Zealand.

Noble has included three uncapped players in his 20 for the match with the Kiwis at St Helens on 27 June. The St Helens winger Ade Gardner and prop James Graham are poised to make their debuts on their home ground, while the Bradford back-row forward Jamie Langley will also be hoping to win his first cap.

But Noble has largely opted for the tried and trusted, with 12 survivors from last year's Tri-Nations squad in the reduced squad, along with five players who missed the series through injury.

Langley and Wigan skipper Sean O'Loughlin both received the nod ahead of Sinfield, who was a surprise omission from the 2004 squad before being recalled for last year's Tri-Series.

"A few people came close to being selected in the 20," said Noble. "Every player in the squad has earned his selection with outstanding performances on a week-by-week basis in the engage Super League.

"And we are in a fortunate position because there are other quality players who can consider themselves unlucky not to be in the squad for this Test." Noble will name his final 18 on Monday week.

Great Britain squad (Test v New Zealand, St Helens, 27 June): S O'Loughlin (Wigan), T Newton (Bradford), J Peacock (Leeds), L Gilmour (St Helens), D McGuire (Leeds), J Graham (St Helens), J Langley (Bradford), R Burrow (Leeds), P Wellens (St Helens), A Gardner (St Helens), M Gleeson (Warrington), K Senior (Leeds), G Raynor (Hull), L Pryce (St Helens), S Long (St Helens), S Fielden (Bradford), K Cunningham (St Helens), A Morley (Sydney Roosters), P Sculthorpe (St Helens, capt), G Ellis (Leeds).