International New Zealand Kiwis

[jonesy101]

I find it a little concerning that all of our spine players play in bottom 9 teams. Besides obviously Jahrome Hughes and technically CNK and CHT. And it doesn’t look to change in the foreseeable future. But at least there are options.

My pre-finals team. (Assuming they’re available)

1. Kini
2. Issako
3. McLean
4. Timoko
5. Mulitalo
6. Brown
7. Foran

8. JFH
9. JMK
10. Whyte
11. Sorensen
12. Nikora
13. Tapine

14. Smith or Crossland.
15. NAS
16. Clark
17. Papalii

Just keeping the Kiwis team thought alive.

I hope like hell Stacey doesn’t consider his day job and pick CNK and Niukore. (CNK just needs a rest)

Would Leota be there instead of NAS?

 

[The Warrior Waka]

I would tbh, Foran seems like the he can play the more organising 7 role to me.

I’d only pick Foran for Hughes (which has obviously happened with Hughes out for the season). Similar to how Johnson said he’d only play if Hughes went down last year.

If Brown went down and we needed a 6 (and Hughes was playing) Foran would probably be at the bottom of the list. I’d probably even pick Crossland over him.

Given last year’s results, I really want to win this pacific championship.

I really want to win it too! To rub in Aussies faces. I'm sure they changed the Origin & International eligibility rules to suit them & weaken us. We were building towards something special.

And I'm all for Toa Samoa & Mate Ma Tonga becoming a force in International League.

Aussie can handle the defections of players to the Island Teams. We're almost at the point of scraping the bottom of the barrell with our mass defections lol.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Would Leota be there instead of NAS?

Unpopular opinion, I'd have Leota there ahead of JFH & NAS.

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

I really want to win it too! To rub in Aussies faces. I'm sure they changed the Origin & International eligibility rules to suit them & weaken us. We were building towards something special.

And I'm all for Toa Samoa & Mate Ma Tonga becoming a force in International League.

Aussie can handle the defections of players to the Island Teams. We're almost at the point of scraping the bottom of the barrell with our mass defections lol.

Our depth has certainly improved though. You look at our Halves and centre’s options 10-15 years ago vs today.

It used to be 1 nrl player and some guy from super league or reserve grade. Now we’ve at least got options.
The fact there’s a debate/discussion about
Leota vs NAS/JFH
Nikorima vs Foran
Kris vs McLean.
Players like Leo Thompson probably can’t make it. (I think he’s a little overrated, but the potential is definitely there)
Is only a good thing for NZ rugby league.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Our depth has certainly improved though. You look at our Halves and centre’s options 10-15 years ago vs today.

It used to be 1 nrl player and some guy from super league or reserve grade. Now we’ve at least got options.
The fact there’s a debate/discussion about
Leota vs NAS/JFH
Nikorima vs Foran
Kris vs McLean.
Players like Leo Thompson probably can’t make it. (I think he’s a little overrated, but the potential is definitely there)
Is only a good thing for NZ rugby league.

I agree with you re - Thompson being overrated. I think our depth is great. It could be incredible if we had access to our NZ Born Island boys too. But it is what it is.

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

I agree with you re - Thompson being overrated. I think our depth is great. It could be incredible if we had access to our NZ Born Island boys too. But it is what it is.

I’ll admit, I was one of the people of here hoping to sign him. When he was available a while ago. I’m glad we didn’t.

I don’t think he would have been a complete dud. But given our young forwards stock. He would have been an expensive, unnecessarily venture. With “good” upside, potential high downside. Like Niukore. Plus we have Barnett and JFH.

(I’d probably still sign him for the RIGHT price. That price isn’t what he’s looking for.)

 

[Cces]

Just a thought. Would you start Kris over Timoko ? As Timoko is a great attacking threat.....But flaky on defense. Kris is a great all rounder.

Kris is far and away a better, well rounded player but I think Timoko has right Centre locked in due to consistency in the position

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

1 K Kini
2 J Isaako
3 M Timoko
4 S Kris
5 R Mulitalo
6 D Brown
7 K Foran
8 J F Harris
9 J M King
10 J Tapine c
11 S Sorenson
12 J Riki
13 E Clark

14 P Crossland
15 M Leota
16 G Neame
17 N Whyte

 

[Zaggo]

Unpopular opinion, I'd have Leota there ahead of JFH & NAS.

I'd have Neame over NAS too.

 

[CWC]

Play NAS in the final to knock out their playmaker, suspension doesn’t affect the warriors anyway

 

[Boats n Hoes]

Nikora out is a big loss. While we have plenty of middles, quality edge backrowers not so many which probably means players like Niukore, Riki etc who may not have been in the frame will be considered.
Sorenson imo is the perfect example of a player who's entirely dependant on that Penrith system and players around him, you take him out of that and his limitations are obvious, as it was in last years Test series (bit like Hoffman with the Storm)

Nikorima has probably been in better form than Foran but Kiwis love a sentimental pick so id expect Foran at 7 to partner Brown.....they will probably pick a squad tho so id expect to see Kodi in the extended.
Think the Game has moved on from NAS tbh,

Lets hope all the Kiwis are available this time round. It was pretty clear Cronulla cut their Kiwis off last year.

Id go something like

1. Keano Kini
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Mathew Timoko
4. Casey McLean
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Dylan Brown
7. Kieran Foran
8. Moses Leota
9. Jeremy Marshall King
10. James Fisher Harris
11. Briton Nikora
12. Jordan Riki
13. Joseph Tapine

14. Phoenix Crossland
15. Naufahu Whyte
16.Leo Thompson
17. Isaiah Papali'i

 

[france]

Nikora out is a big loss. While we have plenty of middles, quality edge backrowers not so many which probably means players like Niukore, Riki etc who may not have been in the frame will be considered.
Sorenson imo is the perfect example of a player who's entirely dependant on that Penrith system and players around him, you take him out of that and his limitations are obvious, as it was in last years Test series (bit like Hoffman with the Storm)

Nikorima has probably been in better form than Foran but Kiwis love a sentimental pick so id expect Foran at 7 to partner Brown.....they will probably pick a squad tho so id expect to see Kodi in the extended.
Think the Game has moved on from NAS tbh,

Lets hope all the Kiwis are available this time round. It was pretty clear Cronulla cut their Kiwis off last year.

Id go something like

1. Keano Kini
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Mathew Timoko
4. Casey McLean
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Dylan Brown
7. Kieran Foran
8. Moses Leota
9. Jeremy Marshall King
10. James Fisher Harris
11. Isaiah Papali'i
12. Jordan Riki
13. Joseph Tapine

14. Phoenix Crossland
15. Naufahu Whyte
16.Leo Thompson
17. Marata Niukore

what about Nikora ?

 

[Boats n Hoes]

what about Nikora ?

Shit i thought he was injured but turns out he was on a 3 week suspension which ends soon so should be good to go for the Tests. Walks straight in.

Happy days.

 

[WHB]

If Kris isn't starting then I'd imagine he's in jersey #17 covering all back 5 positions & even edge backrow

Has to be there somewhere.

 

[Kaos A.D.]

This is who I'd run with, Kodi to come in for JMK when players start tiring, Dylan Brown can cover the backline, swap out with Kodi if we get a injury, I'm leaning more to NAS over Neame just because it's probably his last hoorah Kiwi series... I would like another backrower but nothing out there I would have over these players... We've actually got some good players and balance with the Kiwi's this year, if Foran stays fit, with his experience, I could see him getting us home this series...

1. Keano Kini
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Mathew Timoko
4. Casey McLean
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Dylan Brown
7. Kieran Foran
8. Moses Leota
9. Jeremy Marshall King
10. James Fisher Harris
11. Briton Nikora
12. Isaiah Papalii
13. Joseph Tapine

14. Kodi Nikorima/
15. Naufahu Whyte
16. Griffin Neame/ NAS
17. Erin Clark

 

[france]

Unpopular opinion, I'd have Leota there ahead of JFH & NAS.

NAS should'nt be anywhere near the Kiwis..how long has he been playing ?..still doing stupid shit..he can fk off

 

[WHB]

NAS should'nt be anywhere near the Kiwis..how long has he been playing ?..still doing stupid shit..he can fk off

NAS wears his heart on his sleeve.
I love the Kiwi NAS.

Sorry to differ,but we need him IMO.

 

[france]

NAS wears his heart on his sleeve.
I love the Kiwi NAS.

Sorry to differ,but we need him IMO.

why ?..so he can sit in the sin bin..or an early shower ?

 

[sup42]

I agree with you re - Thompson being overrated. I think our depth is great. It could be incredible if we had access to our NZ Born Island boys too. But it is what it is.

Club form has not been the best eh.

But lets not forget that some players become superhuman when put in test kit.

Would not surprise me if he was given another go.