Pick Your Team Potential Kiwis Team 2023

[VB89]

Socials are full of Samoans giving us a hard time and calling us Samoa B, and hassling the guys who have chosen NZ. Certainly adding fuel to my fire so I hope we go out and smash them.

With that said, regarding eligibility, who out out of the recent Origin "Kiwis" would actually consider themselves more Kiwi than Australian, and would choose to represent us over Aussie PERMANETLY, while still being Origin eligible, if given the opportunity? Most of them appear only to have a Kiwi parent or spent maybe their infant years here and that's it. I probably haven't kept up with things much in recent years but Tamou and maybe Karmichael Hunt were the only two I can really remember that were possibly "more Kiwi than Aussie".

While I think the current state of affairs is great for the Island nations, and helps international league, it also takes away with the other hand by weakening the only other REAL market in the Rugby League globally being NZ. Outside of diehard fans, the Kiwis have hardly any interest by anyone else and the weaker we get the even less relevant they become in this country. For INTL league to grow NZ needs to be kept strong, not weakened. The only thing I can think of is by allowing Origin players to represent NZ -- albeit I really do wonder how many of them consider themselves genuine Kiwis...

 

[SBW1]

It is a bugbear of a lot of Kiwi league fans. They have had the habit of making a few players ineligible for NZ by forcing their loyalty to a state and often not being chosen. I think what we are going to continue to see is a lot of island hopping between the Kiwis and MTT, Toa and possibly the Cooks for some time to come. Origin is going to open up to Tier 1 within a few years, the nearest we will get to have an idea how that works would be the Maori All Stars.

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

Ahhh yeah dah....no way Manu replaces CNK at FB.

The only reason Manu got the gig is that we were short there. CNK's rise has removed that calculus.

Madge would have to be an idiot to play two guys out of position that are specialists.

Also, international rugby league just now is stacked with star Centers, it would be nuts not to use a star center in the NZ backline to counter that.

Unfortunately, I can actually see Madge playing Manu at fullback, Timoko right centre and Charnze left.

If he does play CNK at fullback, who does he move out of Manu and Timoko to the left? I’d go Timoko left Manu right. But I’d kind of be happy either way.

 

[Cces]

State of O will forever be a draw card that the Kiwis can't match. It's not a one way street of players wanting better opportunities though. Whilst most of following guys have whakapapa to NZ many would still describe themselves as Ozzies.

Australian born Kiwis:
1. Brent Webb
2. Jason Nightingale
3. Josh Hoffman
4. Sebastian Kris
5. Bryson Goodwin
6. Gerard Beale
7. Ben Roberts
8. Jason Cayless
9. Nathan Fien
10. Nathan Cayless
11. Frank Pritchard
12. Scott Sorensen
13. Addin Fonua-Blake

14. Luke Covell
15. Jake Webster
16. Sam McKendry
17. Reimis Smith (9s)
18. Bailey Simonsson (9s)

 

[Defence]

It is a bugbear of a lot of Kiwi league fans. They have had the habit of making a few players ineligible for NZ by forcing their loyalty to a state and often not being chosen. I think what we are going to continue to see is a lot of island hopping between the Kiwis and MTT, Toa and possibly the Cooks for some time to come. Origin is going to open up to Tier 1 within a few years, the nearest we will get to have an idea how that works would be the Maori All Stars.

Yip im all for them having a choice but at the moment its a very easy choice because if u play 1 game for the kiwis u throw away any chance u ever had of playing origin (ala afb).
If u look at how many players from the other teams played junior kiwis which doesn't affect their origin eligibility there's a ton of them- could make an entire team out of them- taumalolo and Luai even captained the JKs.

 

[PhilsySH35]

It is a bugbear of a lot of Kiwi league fans. They have had the habit of making a few players ineligible for NZ by forcing their loyalty to a state and often not being chosen. I think what we are going to continue to see is a lot of island hopping between the Kiwis and MTT, Toa and possibly the Cooks for some time to come. Origin is going to open up to Tier 1 within a few years, the nearest we will get to have an idea how that works would be the Maori All Stars.

Agree, oz has been having it its own way for far too long, using SOO as a tool to grab players e.g. James Tamou and others, which is cool (but not really). the pinnacle should be test matches, nothing compares (nothing should compare to two countries playing each other, not even SOO). I'm really confused about Kalyn Ponga, Maori boy didn't declare for nz, hummed and ha'ad for a while, then eventually declared for oz, then find out later he want's to be a all black, wtf - if that isn't being a kiwi, I don't know what is, instead go play for the wallabies. back in the day there was no confusion, you knew Mark graham bled black and white, he would die for his team. now days you've got a lot of players who can whakapapa to the islands, I I think they should declare for the islands not for oz or nz, as they take the place/resources of a potential player who wants to rep for nz body heart and soul, in order to do the jersey justice, you can't be swayed, you have to be committed 100%, you can't serve 2 masters, you will love one or hate the other, pretty simple concept, can you play with a brother who wants to play with you or maybe wants to play for some other team... the current setup is harming the kiwi teams, in order to play test match footy - you have to be prepared to die for the team, that's why they call it a test, not tiddly winks - this is the reason why I don't watch SOO any more!!! - apologies for the emotional rant.

 

[SBW1]

It simply a case of dealing with the cards being dealt. Only way to really make a point is to deliver as simple as that. It does sound like we may have a few players who Origin could have got and we swooped early. A few of the Toa boys will be good like Levi and Issaka.

 

[Defence]

MSN

Oz will still be favourites, some of these departures may even things up a bit more.

I was listening to sports talkback yesterday and mark carrol was saying its probably the strongest kiwi team hes seen and we have a good chance against Australia because they are missing so many players. wtf?

 

[VB89]

State of O will forever be a draw card that the Kiwis can't match. It's not a one way street of players wanting better opportunities though. Whilst most of following guys have whakapapa to NZ many would still describe themselves as Ozzies.

Australian born Kiwis:
1. Brent Webb
2. Jason Nightingale
3. Josh Hoffman
4. Sebastian Kris
5. Bryson Goodwin
6. Gerard Beale
7. Ben Roberts
8. Jason Cayless
9. Nathan Fien
10. Nathan Cayless
11. Frank Pritchard
12. Scott Sorensen
13. Addin Fonua-Blake

14. Luke Covell
15. Jake Webster
16. Sam McKendry
17. Reimis Smith (9s)
18. Bailey Simonsson (9s)

Nightingale said he was always a Kiwi

Jason Nightingale was always a Kiwi at heart

He may have a slight Aussie twang but Dragons winger Jason Nightingale feels he's just as Kiwi as they come.

www.stuff.co.nz

 

[VB89]

Agree, oz has been having it its own way for far too long, using SOO as a tool to grab players e.g. James Tamou and others, which is cool (but not really). the pinnacle should be test matches, nothing compares (nothing should compare to two countries playing each other, not even SOO). I'm really confused about Kalyn Ponga, Maori boy didn't declare for nz, hummed and ha'ad for a while, then eventually declared for oz, then find out later he want's to be a all black, wtf - if that isn't being a kiwi, I don't know what is, instead go play for the wallabies. back in the day there was no confusion, you knew Mark graham bled black and white, he would die for his team. now days you've got a lot of players who can whakapapa to the islands, I I think they should declare for the islands not for oz or nz, as they take the place/resources of a potential player who wants to rep for nz body heart and soul, in order to do the jersey justice, you can't be swayed, you have to be committed 100%, you can't serve 2 masters, you will love one or hate the other, pretty simple concept, can you play with a brother who wants to play with you or maybe wants to play for some other team... the current setup is harming the kiwi teams, in order to play test match footy - you have to be prepared to die for the team, that's why they call it a test, not tiddly winks - this is the reason why I don't watch SOO any more!!! - apologies for the emotional rant.

Brad Thorn did that. Represented Aus in league and NZ in union, lol.

And who can forget Tonie Carroll who managed to play for BOTH the Kiwis and the Roos lol

 

[Wahs Up TV]

I think there’s a difference between being a kiwi living in australia and a Australian with kiwi heritage.

I moved over to aus in my late 20’s and I was definitely a Kiwi living in Aus.

I knew clearly that I wasn’t from australia as the culture is different etc.

Foran spoke about it on hello sport podcast that he knew he was a kiwi even though he moved over to aus early on. The likes of Benji as well opposing the Haka knew he was on the wrong team.

You gotta feel it tbh. You have to know you’re not an Australian.

For a lot of those Aussie Māori boys the kiwis is a heritage team. Similar to toa or mate they want to represent their kiwi parents. I think that will always be a struggle for the likes of attracting a Kalyn Ponga or a Reece Walsh. They’re Australian at heart and see the kiwis as a heritage team.

The area of most concern should be development pathways in nz.

Ultimately we need 2-3 nrl teams to try and keep as much development done in nz without having kids move over in their early teens when they lose that connection with NZ.

If we had development pathways across the country and were able to keep say 70-80% of talent stay in NZ the kiwis jumper will be in higher regard and hold a strong position in the rugby league world.

 

[tyrael]

Kiwis legend calls time on international career

“I can’t thank him enough for the support that he’s given me.”

www.zerotackle.com

Thanks for the service!

 

[Shogun]

I think there’s a difference between being a kiwi living in australia and a Australian with kiwi heritage.

I moved over to aus in my late 20’s and I was definitely a Kiwi living in Aus.

I knew clearly that I wasn’t from australia as the culture is different etc.

Foran spoke about it on hello sport podcast that he knew he was a kiwi even though he moved over to aus early on. The likes of Benji as well opposing the Haka knew he was on the wrong team.

You gotta feel it tbh. You have to know you’re not an Australian.

For a lot of those Aussie Māori boys the kiwis is a heritage team. Similar to toa or mate they want to represent their kiwi parents. I think that will always be a struggle for the likes of attracting a Kalyn Ponga or a Reece Walsh. They’re Australian at heart and see the kiwis as a heritage team.

The area of most concern should be development pathways in nz.

Ultimately we need 2-3 nrl teams to try and keep as much development done in nz without having kids move over in their early teens when they lose that connection with NZ.

If we had development pathways across the country and were able to keep say 70-80% of talent stay in NZ the kiwis jumper will be in higher regard and hold a strong position in the rugby league world.

We're lucky Puletua stuck with us when you think about all the other kiwi born islander players that have or want to play origin.

 

[Shogun]

State of O will forever be a draw card that the Kiwis can't match. It's not a one way street of players wanting better opportunities though. Whilst most of following guys have whakapapa to NZ many would still describe themselves as Ozzies.

Australian born Kiwis:
1. Brent Webb
2. Jason Nightingale
3. Josh Hoffman
4. Sebastian Kris
5. Bryson Goodwin
6. Gerard Beale
7. Ben Roberts
8. Jason Cayless
9. Nathan Fien
10. Nathan Cayless
11. Frank Pritchard
12. Scott Sorensen
13. Addin Fonua-Blake

14. Luke Covell
15. Jake Webster
16. Sam McKendry
17. Reimis Smith (9s)
18. Bailey Simonsson (9s)

1 Hoffman
3 Smith
4 SKD
6 Roberts
7 Fien
9 Swain
12 Kaufusi

14 Griffin
15 Sorenson
17 Beale

 

[Cces]

1 Hoffman
3 Smith
4 SKD
6 Roberts
7 Fien
9 Swain
12 Kaufusi

14 Griffin
15 Sorenson
17 Beale

Never knew SKD, Griffin or Swain were Australian born. Team looks a lot less makeshift if you include Swain & Griffin as the dummy halves

 

[The Warrior Waka]

State of O will forever be a draw card that the Kiwis can't match. It's not a one way street of players wanting better opportunities though. Whilst most of following guys have whakapapa to NZ many would still describe themselves as Ozzies.

Australian born Kiwis:
1. Brent Webb
2. Jason Nightingale
3. Josh Hoffman
4. Sebastian Kris
5. Bryson Goodwin
6. Gerard Beale
7. Ben Roberts
8. Jason Cayless
9. Nathan Fien
10. Nathan Cayless
11. Frank Pritchard
12. Scott Sorensen
13. Addin Fonua-Blake

14. Luke Covell
15. Jake Webster
16. Sam McKendry
17. Reimis Smith (9s)
18. Bailey Simonsson (9s)

I thought I'd make a team of players that were either born in NZ that represented Aussie/SOO. Or were born in Oz & have a kiwi parent that have never played for the Kiwis. Except one guy lol. The explanation is next to his name.
Some players out of position. Just had to fit them in.

Reece Walsh (Maori Mum)
Kayln Ponga (Both Parent's Kiwis)
Valentine Holmes (Maori Dad)
Timana Tahu (Maori Dad)
Murray Taulagi (Nz Born)
Jarome Luai (Maori Mum)
Jonathan Thurston (NZ Born Dad)
Junior Paulo (NZ Born)
Karmichael Hunt(NZ Born)
Brad Thorn(NZ Born)
Willie Mason(NZ Born)
Corey Parker (NZ Born Mum)
Tonie Carroll(NZ Born) Technically played for the Kiwis. But still a turncoat. So I'm not counting it

Moeaki Fotuaika (NZ Born)
Carl Webb(Maori Dad)
Josh Papalii (NZ Born)
Corey Norman(Maori Parent)

 

[Noitall]

Maguire pleads International Rugby League to change eligibility rules

“We have players who are eligible for the Kiwis and we are are probably held back."

www.zerotackle.com

Would be good to see an overhaul around origin for us.

 

[SBW1]

That is why he could be a catalyst for change. it is also very important for the Kiwis to perform well against the Roos, as it will set a good foundation for his new Blues position.