Grand Final bound Bradford Bulls received another boost today when the Paul brothers were called up by New Zealand for forthcoming Tri-Nations Series Down Under.

The news of Robbie and Henry's selection comes just a week after James Lowes, Mike Forshaw, Paul Anderson and Stuart Fielden were picked by Great Britain for a competition which also features world champions Australia.

The Bulls duo will fly home after the Grand Final at Old Trafford on Saturday, October 9 and six days later will be involved in New Zealand's opening game against Australia in Auckland on October 15.

Kiwi coach Frank Endacott sprung a surprise by axing the new St Helens wing Sean Hoppe.

The most prolific try-scorer in New Zealand's Test history was axed in favour of North Queensland Cowboys' uncapped Brian Jellick when coach Frank Endacott named his 20-man squad for the triangular tournament against Australia and Great Britain.

Hoppe, who broke the New Zealand try-scoring record when he touched down for the 17th time in last year's Test series win over Britain, hopes to land a new contract with Saints for next year but also has ambitions of extending his international career.

"I don't think my international career is over at all," he said. "Coming over here was possibly a gamble, but when Ellery Hanley asked I was just so excited about coming over.

"As everyone knows, they're cutting back on teams in Australia and there's going to be a lot of good players looking for places."

New Zealand squad: J Vagana (Auckland), T Hermannson (Auckland), C Smith (St George Illawarra), J Lowrie (Balmain), T Puleatua (Penrith), N Cayless (Parramatta), L Swann (Auckland), S Kearney (Melbourne), M Rua (Melbourne), R Swain (Melbourne), H Paul (Bradford), R Paul (Bradford), S Jones (Auckland), W Talau (Canterbury), D Kidwell (Parramatta), R Wiki (Canberra), N Vagana (Auckland), B Jellick (North Queensland Cowboys), L Vainikolo (Canberra), R Barnett (Sydney City, capt).

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