International New Zealand Kiwis

[juju]

Ponga has pledged for the Kiwis

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Ponga has pledged for the Kiwis

Mean! Having him & Kini as options for the Kiwis is awesome!

 

[juju]

Mean! Having him & Kini as options for the Kiwis is awesome!

I agree. Exciting times. I could see test becoming much bigger

 

[Canadian_Warriors_Fan]

Ponga has pledged for the Kiwis

 

[snake77]

i know they need a dissenting opinion on NRL360 to make the drama. But Gordon Tallis not liking the rule changes when they were discussing Ponga was pretty funny. Also shows a lack of understanding about the eligibility the last 15-20 years.

You should grow up wanting to play for your State or Australia. The problem for the Kiwis is the debate has often been between playing State of Origin or the Kiwis. Not NZ vs Australia. The clubs are also recruiting guys at younger ages from NZ or the Pacific Islands. So, the player pool has changed.

Ask them when they are kids? There is a reason you can't vote, drive etc until you are a certain age. Some are due to being responsible others around decision making. He did come across as old man yelling at clouds. Back in my day.

They also brought up removing the money and ask them. The Levels Network brought up guys don't play Origin for money or care about the money. Wanting to play as it is a high standard I understand. But we are still a game where guys earn 100s of 1000s not multi millions. So a game at $50k can still go a long way. Then 3 x 50k can would be great to buy a new car or put away for something. They argued tax but still it is more money coming in.

The money they get paid is often brought up when comparing to what they get for the Kiwis. If it is getting reported in the media than it would surely be getting discussed with the players by their agents or the Australian/Origin side wanting them to commit in the past.

From a New Zealand point of view. Glad Ponga comitted to the Kiwis. Great we now have a debate on who to choose or can cover an injury to Kini or Ponga who would be the most likely fullback options.

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

Some very exciting news with Ponga making the move over. The fact him and Brown play with each other week in week out is only a good thing. And behind a much stronger pack.

The next one I hope jumps ship is Howarth. Who IMO, has way more upside than Timoko. And has the benefit of playing with Hughes and Warbrick for a settled combo on the right, just add Nikora.

My way to early squad.
1. Ponga
2. Warbrick
3. McLean
4. Howarth (hopefully)
5. Mulitalo
6. Brown
7. Hughes

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

14. B Smith
15. Leota/Thompson
16. Willison
17. Clark
18. Kini
19. Riki

 

[Kaos A.D.]

this is a huge win for Kiwis, hopefully will get more interest/ bums on seats for Kiwi games and inspire other mozzies who still see NZ as there heritage... Im māori so see a upside to this for us Kiwis also im glad to see players like Harry Inch giving League a show, hope he makes it in the bigtime so he can inspire a younger generation of white boys into the Kiwis

 

[snake77]

The Origin selections will be interesting. See which players that are now eligible will be brought in.

Or how open each State is to the changes.

Fonua-Blake is the obvious one for NSW. One of the competition's elite front rowers to partner with Haas.

I've seen comments from Ikin they only want people who are passionate to play for Queensland. This will contracdict previoys points I've made with the State vs Kiwis decision, but I'm sure the players will all want to play for the right reasons if they are eligible. The money helps but if they are eligible and represented their State in age group football they'd want to play Origin for the correct reasons.

Tallis was wanting to not select Ponga again now. They have cover for fullback with Walsh and Tabuai-Fidow. Ponga has performed well for them in the past, can also cover the 14 role.

Slater may have a different opinion.

I still think it will be interesting in how each State selects initially. Queensland in the past have had players eligible for other countries. Those selections may have been necessary due to depth at the time. But the point still stands in that they have been okay with it in the past.

 

[j_p]

.
.
They also brought up removing the money and ask them. The Levels Network brought up guys don't play Origin for money or care about the money. Wanting to play as it is a high standard I understand. But we are still a game where guys earn 100s of 1000s not multi millions. So a game at $50k can still go a long way. Then 3 x 50k can would be great to buy a new car or put away for something. They argued tax but still it is more money coming in.

They make 50k per game? Thought it would be around 20k.

 

[snake77]

They make 50k per game? Thought it would be around 20k.

That is the last figure I've heard mentioned. Besides the above, don't quote me on it.

Mainly recall quotes on comparison between Origina and Australian payments vs the Kiwis.

It may have started around 20k also may have increased a lot due to the broadcast deals.

 

[CWC]

Some very exciting news with Ponga making the move over. The fact him and Brown play with each other week in week out is only a good thing. And behind a much stronger pack.

The next one I hope jumps ship is Howarth. Who IMO, has way more upside than Timoko. And has the benefit of playing with Hughes and Warbrick for a settled combo on the right, just add Nikora.

My way to early squad.
1. Ponga
2. Warbrick
3. McLean
4. Howarth (hopefully)
5. Mulitalo
6. Brown
7. Hughes

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

14. B Smith
15. Leota/Thompson
16. Willison
17. Clark
18. Kini
19. Riki

That is an insane team lol

 

[Makasene]

It's official.

Kalyn is a Kiwi

 

[CWC]

It's official.

Kalyn is a Kiwi

View attachment 16215

 

[Makasene]

This is massive for the Kiwis.

Seen a lot of chat that he won't be picked ahead of Kini

We will wait and see on that one, but he absolutely will be in the squad.

My hunch is he will in fact be first choice number 1 if fit.

Kini at 18/19 on the bench (presumably they will do 6 man bench?)

 

[Defence]

Kini has been great for the kiwis but I think pongas combination with brown tips the scales in his favor.
Then u chuck Hughes in there

 

[sballer7]

i know they need a dissenting opinion on NRL360 to make the drama. But Gordon Tallis not liking the rule changes when they were discussing Ponga was pretty funny. Also shows a lack of understanding about the eligibility the last 15-20 years.

You should grow up wanting to play for your State or Australia. The problem for the Kiwis is the debate has often been between playing State of Origin or the Kiwis. Not NZ vs Australia. The clubs are also recruiting guys at younger ages from NZ or the Pacific Islands. So, the player pool has changed.

Ask them when they are kids? There is a reason you can't vote, drive etc until you are a certain age. Some are due to being responsible others around decision making. He did come across as old man yelling at clouds. Back in my day.

They also brought up removing the money and ask them. The Levels Network brought up guys don't play Origin for money or care about the money. Wanting to play as it is a high standard I understand. But we are still a game where guys earn 100s of 1000s not multi millions. So a game at $50k can still go a long way. Then 3 x 50k can would be great to buy a new car or put away for something. They argued tax but still it is more money coming in.

The money they get paid is often brought up when comparing to what they get for the Kiwis. If it is getting reported in the media than it would surely be getting discussed with the players by their agents or the Australian/Origin side wanting them to commit in the past.

From a New Zealand point of view. Glad Ponga comitted to the Kiwis. Great we now have a debate on who to choose or can cover an injury to Kini or Ponga who would be the most likely fullback options.

Tallis is just another walking CTE case. Blokes as dumb as a brick.

Think we have to temper his comments also, as he is tied up with the Kangaroos coaching staff. That and he's best mates with Kevin Walters. He understands that there is only one real loser in this...and that's the Kangaroos.

 

[selector]

Kiwis eligible Depth Chart

Fullback
Kalyn Ponga/Keano Kini/Kaeo Weeks/Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Wingers
Ronaldo Mulitalo/Jamayne Isaako/Will Warbrick/Josiah Karapni

Centres
Casey McLean/Matt Timoko/Jack Howarth/Sebastian Kris

Halves
Jahrome Hughes/Dylan Brown/Kodi Nikorima/Ethan Strange/Te Maire Martin/Trent Toelau

Props
James Fisher-Harris/Moses Leota/Naufahu Whyte/Xavier Willison/Leo Thompson/Griffin Neame

Hookers
Brandon Smith/Jeremy Marshall-King/Phoenix Crossland/Zach Dockar-Clay

Second Row
Briton Nikora/Isaiah Papali'i/Scott Sorensen/Jordan Riki

Lock
Joe Tapine/Erin Clark

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Kaeo Weeks

Huh? Has he made himself available for the Kiwis?

 

[Naynay]

This is massive for the Kiwis.

Seen a lot of chat that he won't be picked ahead of Kini

We will wait and see on that one, but he absolutely will be in the squad.

My hunch is he will in fact be first choice number 1 if fit.

Kini at 18/19 on the bench (presumably they will do 6 man bench?)

Gotta feel for Kini, like Ponga made his choice and chose Australia and QLD for Kini to be dropped for him is gross

 

[Zaggo]

Gotta feel for Kini, like Ponga made his choice and chose Australia and QLD for Kini to be dropped for him is gross

It's all just speculation at this point, noone has been picked over anyone else. Both like an injury so odds are they won't both be healthy anyway.