England to begin Four Nations tour with tough New Zealand Maori test

England will face a tough challenge in the first game of their Four Nations tour in Auckland on Saturday week, before the tournament proper even begins. The New Zealand Maori have named a formidable-looking team including two of the most eye-catching overseas players in the Super League this season – Castleford's Rangi Chase and the Crusaders second-row Weller Hauraki – plus Timana Tahu, the former Australia rugby union international who will line up at centre alongside Clinton Toopi, formerly of Leeds. The Maori, coached by the former Wigan hooker Howie Tamati, also include three Kiwi internationals in Kevin Locke, the former Leigh hooker Aaron Heremaia and Jeremy Smith, a scrum-half who will play for Wakefield in 2011 after two years with Salford. The England squad fly out tonight after several of the players attend the funeral of the former Great Britain hooker Terry Newton, including the captain Adrian Morley, who is a pallbearer. The Maori game will be the first half of what promises to be a compelling double-header, as it will be followed by New Zealand's Four Nations warm-up against an equally tasty-looking Samoa side. The Samoans, coached by the former Queensland and Australia prop Steven Price, include eight Super League players: Tony Puletua (St Helens), Francis Meli (St Helens), Ali Lauitiiti (Leeds), David Faiumu (Huddersfield), David Solomona (Warrington), George Carmont (Wigan), Frank Winterstein (Crusaders) and Harrison Hansen, the Wigan forward who was born in Salford. Meanwhile, St Helens have announced the retention of three of their senior players following last Saturday's Grand Final defeat by Wigan. Paul Wellens, the 30-year-old full-back, who will become the club's longest-serving player following the retirement of Keiron Cunningham – and is expected to succeed him as captain – has signed a new two-year contract, as has Meli, the powerful Samoan wing who had been wanted by Bradford. Chris Flannery, a 30-year-old Australian forward, who joined Saints from the Sydney Roosters in 2007, has agreed a one-year deal. Saints confirmed contract extensions with three younger players – Paul Clough, Jonny Lomax and Jamie Foster – earlier this week. But Paul Johnson, a 22-year-old second-row who made his first-team debut this year, has been released to join Wakefield on a two-year contract. Wakefield have avoided the complication of having two Paul Johnsons, because the vastly experienced former Wigan and Great Britain forward of that name is to join the Crusaders. New Zealand Maori Kevin Locke (Vodafone Warriors), Sandor Earl (Penrith), Timana Tahu (Parramatta), Clinton Toopi (Gold Coast), Arana J Taumata (North Queensland), Rangi Chase (Castleford), Jeremy Smith (Wakefield), Willie Heta (Otahuhu), Aaron Heremaia (Vodafone Warriors), Weller Hauraki (Crusaders), Justin Horo (Parramatta), Bodene Thompson (Gold Coast), Kevin Proctor (Melbourne), James Tamou (North Queensland), Sam McKendry (Penrith), Russell Packer (Vodafone Warriors). Samoa Tony Puletua (St Helens), Francis Meli (St Helens), Ali Lauitiiti (Leeds), David Faiumu (Huddersfield), David Solomona (Warrington), George Carmont (Wigan), Harrison Hansen (Wigan), Ben Roberts (Canterbury-Bankstown), Constantine Mika (Newcastle), Mark Taufua (Newcastle), Joseph Paulo (Penrith), Masada Iosefa (Penrith), Terence Seuseu (Manly), Willie Isa (Melbourne), Daniel Vidot (Canberra), Josh McGuire (Brisbane), Taulima Tautai (Cronulla), Quentin Togaga'e (Souths Logan), Frank Winterstein (Crusaders).