Canberra-based Ezra Howe will return to the Junior Kiwis programme this year as assistant coach to Kelvin Wright.

And former Kiwis prop Jerry Seuseu will make his staff debut with the NZ Rugby League international programme as manager.

Howe, the Canberra Raiders junior recruitment manager, filled the assistant role behind Wright for the JKs’ 2015 clash with the Junior Kangaroos at Gold Coast, won by the Australians 22-20.

Seuseu (Kiwi #692) played 11 tests for New Zealand between 2001-04 and, before that, four for Samoa at the 2000 World Cup.

He took the field 132 times for the Auckland Warriors between 1997-2004, including the 2002 Grand Final, and currently serves as welfare and education manager for the club.

He also played 40 times for Wigan Warriors in England.

The 2016 Junior Kiwis v Junior Kangaroos is scheduled for May 7 at Parramatta’s Pirtek Stadium, the day after the senior national teams meet at Newcastle.

The full Junior Kiwis staff is:

Head coach – Kelvin Wright

Assistant coach – Ezra Howe

Team manager – Jerry Seuseu

Trainer – Troy Herewini

Physio – Simon Keepa