International New Zealand Kiwis

[Tohu’s_Knees]

If Haas and Tino play for Samoa.
The Pacific championship just became way more interesting. Hopefully NAS doesn’t jump ship.

Will we even have the forwards to compete against the Tongan and Samoan forwards?

1. Kini/CNK/Bula?/Weekes?
2. Issako/Warbrick/DWZ
3. Iro?/CNK/Kris/Pompey/Toia
4. Timoko/Leiataua?/Berry/Hiku
5. Mulitalo/Arthurs/Mclean
6. Brown/Nikorima/CHT
7. Hughes/Foran/TMM

8. JFH
9. JMK/Crossland/Egan?(lol)
10. NAS
11. Papalii/Sorenson
12. Nikora/Riki/Niukore
13. Tapine

14. Smith/Clark
15. Thompson/Neame
16. Whyte/Leota
17. Willison

We’ve actually got some hectic depth. We probably need to start either NAS or Willison to absorb those big Polynesian lads.

Even the Samoan and Tongan halves are respectable. Luai-CHT and Katoa-Lolohea respectively.

Kiwis clearly have better Hookers though.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

If Haas and Tino play for Samoa.
The Pacific championship just became way more interesting. Hopefully NAS doesn’t jump ship.

Will we even have the forwards to compete against the Tongan and Samoan forwards?

1. Kini/CNK/Bula?/Weekes?
2. Issako/Warbrick/DWZ
3. Iro?/CNK/Kris/Pompey/Toia
4. Timoko/Leiataua?/Berry/Hiku
5. Mulitalo/Arthurs/Mclean
6. Brown/Nikorima/CHT
7. Hughes/Foran/TMM

8. JFH
9. JMK/Crossland/Egan?(lol)
10. NAS
11. Papalii/Sorenson
12. Nikora/Riki/Niukore
13. Tapine

14. Smith/Clark
15. Thompson/Neame
16. Whyte/Leota
17. Willison

We’ve actually got some hectic depth. We probably need to start either NAS or Willison to absorb those big Polynesian lads.

Even the Samoan and Tongan halves are respectable. Luai-CHT and Katoa-Lolohea respectively.

Kiwis clearly have better Hookers though.

1 K Ponga
2 W Warbrick
3 M Timoko
4 A Leiataua
5 R Mulitalo
6 D Brown
7 J Hughes
8 M Leota
9 J M King
10 J F Harris c
11 B Nikora
12 J Riki
13 J Tapine

14 B Smith
15 L Thompson
16 N A Solomona
17 I Papalii

 

[Zaggo]

I'm assuming they'll try and build some continuity with the team from last year. I'm also assuming no defections and no Ponga.

1 - CNK (if Kini is still recovering)
2 - Isaako - goal kicking is key
3 - Timoko
4 - Iro
5 - Mulitalo
6 - Brown
7 - Hughes
8 - JFH
9 - JMK
10 - Whyte - loved this guy last year
11 - Nikora
12 - Sorensen
13 - Tapine

14 - Crossland
15 - Thompson
16 - Neame
17 - Clark

Our pack has as much firepower as anyone elses. Remember how much Neame and Whyte lifted when they came on against Tonga last year?

 

[CWC]

We are fine we just need a head coach

 

[KPWarrior]

We are fine we just need a head coach

Nah we turned down the best there is, we're all good!

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Will we even have the forwards to compete against the Tongan and Samoan forwards?

Some of our backs may still jump ship to. Mulitalo, Ali, Brown , Isaako. Even Nas, Papalii , Clark & Leota.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Ronaldo Mulitalo
Stephen Crichton
Ali Leiataua
Brian To'o/Murray Taulagi
Dylan Brown
Jahrome Luai
Payne Haas
Jazz Tevaga
Terrell May
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
Jeremiah Nanai
Isaiah Papalii

Moses Leota
Stefano Utoikamanu
NAS / Shawn Blore
Clark /Sua Faalogo

Deine Mariner
Sualauvi Faalogo

Kiwis will be alright- we'll have Xavier Willison, Tapine , Neame , Whyte(Hopefully) Riki, Fish, Nikora , Clark (Hopefully) Thompson & Nas if he doesn't make or choose Samoa.
Hopefully Ponga gets the ok to rep the Kiwis, Casey McLean, Will Warbrick, Ali(Hopefully) Rocco , Timoko , Hughes & co are still a handy side to take on anyone.
Tonga bullied our forwards last year. Samoa could do the same.

 

[WA Warrior]

Some of our backs may still jump ship to. Mulitalo, Ali, Brown , Isaako. Even Nas, Papalii , Clark & Leota.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Ronaldo Mulitalo
Stephen Crichton
Ali Leiataua
Brian To'o/Murray Taulagi
Dylan Brown
Jahrome Luai
Payne Haas
Jazz Tevaga
Terrell May
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
Jeremiah Nanai
Isaiah Papalii

Moses Leota
Stefano Utoikamanu
NAS / Shawn Blore
Clark /Sua Faalogo

Deine Mariner
Sualauvi Faalogo

Kiwis will be alright- we'll have Xavier Willison, Tapine , Neame , Whyte(Hopefully) Riki, Fish, Nikora , Clark (Hopefully) Thompson & Nas if he doesn't make or choose Samoa.
Hopefully Ponga gets the ok to rep the Kiwis, Casey McLean, Will Warbrick, Ali(Hopefully) Rocco , Timoko , Hughes & co are still a handy side to take on anyone.
Tonga bullied our forwards last year. Samoa could do the same.

I seen a couple of stories this week.
Mulitalo and Whyte definitely playing Kiwis.

 

[WA Warrior]

'Culture is still strong': Mulitalo flying the flag for family back home

Cronulla winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has opened up on the sacrifice he made as a teenager to move away from his family to chase his NRL dream.

www.nrl.com

'For my family': Emotions run high for Whyte's NZ homecoming

Sydney Roosters prop Naufahu Whyte has opened up on the emotion of representing New Zealand as he prepares to play his first NRL game in his hometown.

www.nrl.com

 

[The Warrior Waka]

I seen a couple of stories this week.
Mulitalo and Whyte definitely playing Kiwis.

Hope Nas does too. When you think of Tonga with AFB, Taumalolo, Olakau'atu , Paseka , Wong , Tupouniua & Samoa with possibly Haas, Fa'asuamaleaui, Utoikamanu, Leota & May. We'll need a bully boy

 

[WA Warrior]

Hope Nas does too. When you think of Tonga with AFB, Taumalolo, Olakau'atu , Paseka , Wong , Tupouniua & Samoa with possibly Haas, Fa'asuamaleaui, Utoikamanu, Leota & May. We'll need a bully boy

Whyte, Tapine, Fish and Thompson are formidable as well.
Aussie a little lucky to be playing England because the Pacific Championship is going to be brutal up front whoever you playing lol

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Whyte, Tapine, Fish and Thompson are formidable as well.
Aussie a little lucky to be playing England because the Pacific Championship is going to be brutal up front whoever you playing lol

I agree. Altho, Fish & Thompson did get a bit beaten up by the Tongan forwards lol. Whyte held his own. AFB had a bone to pick with Fish, Wanted to prove a point lol. England & Aussie! They'd both be happy not to be playing in that comp! Lol

 

[Noitall]

The power of Polyfest: How Samoan culture shapes NRL stars Like Deine Mariner and Bunty Afoa - ABC Pacific

As the NRL celebrates multicultural Round and the diverse cultural backgrounds that make up the game of rugby league, in Aotearoa, more than 11,000 students are performing in the worlds largest dance festival of it's kind — Polyfest.

www.abc.net.au

Not for Kiwis, but a nice article on Bunty and Deine Marriner

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

We are fine we just need a head coach

No way! He's working hard on getting players to come home!

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

'Culture is still strong': Mulitalo flying the flag for family back home

Cronulla winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has opened up on the sacrifice he made as a teenager to move away from his family to chase his NRL dream.

www.nrl.com

'For my family': Emotions run high for Whyte's NZ homecoming

Sydney Roosters prop Naufahu Whyte has opened up on the emotion of representing New Zealand as he prepares to play his first NRL game in his hometown.

www.nrl.com

I also read somewhere that Bula doesn’t want to represent Queensland, as he’s a Blues supporter and has some link to NSW.
However he’s ineligible to play for NSW.
Could be an opportunity for us there.

Selfishly, I hope Ponga gets his Queensland fix (the way Walsh is playing atm, probably) and then applies to play for the Kiwis

 

[Playdaball]

Iro is loyal to the Cooks - good on him too !

 

[WA Warrior]

There’s been so much hoopla this week over Haas potentially playing for Toa.
I think the league will have to finally address this issue.
Looks like 3 options imo

1. Leave as is (This discriminates against the Kiwis and England highlighted by Radley born and bred NSW boy but can’t play but Tier 2 nations can)
2. To play SOO you have to play for Australia (International footy does overnight. Aussie will stockpile Pasifika players and competitive Internationals will turn back to Aussie, NZ and England only)
3. Open up SOO for Kiwi and English players as well if they qualify (What’s the difference for tier 2 players being eligible. International footy will continue to grow. Best players in the competition playing SOO. Not like it opens for everyone you need to meet the Origin criteria to play)

 

[Noitall]

There’s been so much hoopla this week over Haas potentially playing for Toa.
I think the league will have to finally address this issue.
Looks like 3 options imo

1. Leave as is (This discriminates against the Kiwis and England highlighted by Radley born and bred NSW boy but can’t play but Tier 2 nations can)
2. To play SOO you have to play for Australia (International footy does overnight. Aussie will stockpile Pasifika players and competitive Internationals will turn back to Aussie, NZ and England only)
3. Open up SOO for Kiwi and English players as well if they qualify (What’s the difference for tier 2 players being eligible. International footy will continue to grow. Best players in the competition playing SOO. Not like it opens for everyone you need to meet the Origin criteria to play)

What I can’t believe doesn’t get much attention is that Kiwis are by far the most affected by the way this is set out. Kiwis and English, but by far the most of players are Kiwi born if not Australian. State of origin they get the opportunity to play and also represent their tier 2 home nation. I like that this has made the Island nations stronger, but it’s had the most impact on NZ in my view

 

[WA Warrior]

What I can’t believe doesn’t get much attention is that Kiwis are by far the most affected by the way this is set out. Kiwis and English, but by far the most of players are Kiwi born if not Australian. State of origin they get the opportunity to play and also represent their tier 2 home nation. I like that this has made the Island nations stronger, but it’s had the most impact on NZ in my view

It’s all pretty good timing because a lot of the ex players, journos are highlighting this.
They are asking what’s the difference with Payne playing for Samoa and Ponga wanting to play for the Kiwis.
All of this will ramp up after Origin as well when Payne makes his decision.
Australia’s heads will explode if Tino and Payne defect.