No matter how much we dislike Australia, no matter how much we might even envy some aspects of Aussie life, the fact of the matter is that we are two nations in a little corner of the globe.

We fought alongside each other as one and have the general respect of the world by being just down to earth, salt of the earth people. No matter how much we would like to argue, both countries would be half as awesome in many aspects if it wasn't for the other country across the Tasman.

This extends to the NRL. It's not surprising that Australians don't quite realise how big the NRL is in New Zealand. For every true blue Warriors fan, there is someone who has supported Manly or the Bulldogs since their birth. The same people who hate kiwis who support either Queensland or NSW because, well they're Aussies, will still make sure they watch the game whether at a pub or with mates. The same love of the game and passion exists.

But there's only one New Zealand team in the NRL, so how can you talk about the impact of kiwis on the great Australian past time? Well it's a simple fact that there is atleast one NZ born player in every NRL team ... atleast. Can you blame NRL scouts for making sure that they are at schoolboy rugby league OR rugby tournaments? Hell, they're even at intermediate school tournaments.

New Zealand's impact on the NRL has been severely under-stated/swept under the rug for a long time. So this ANZAC day, I'm going to pay tribute to the many kiwis in the NRL, to the kiwis who tune in every weekend, to the kids who have moved away from their families to chase their dream and a better life, to the guys playing in the NSW Cup or Intrust Super Cup, to anyone making their money playing league and sending the money back home, to the families who have uprooted to Australia to give their son a chance and to the volunteers in New Zealand who work hard to ensure that these kids get a chance whether it be showing up every week or fundraising for a tour to Australia.

And thanks to Australia, thanks for opening your eyes to the talent in NZ, thanks for opening your arms and welcoming in some cases many kiwis in to your homes, thanks for letting the Nines be held in Auckland, thanks for bringing games that don't involve the Warriors to NZ and thanks for kicking our ass every year in the ANZAC test ... the last thing we'd want is for you to go easy on us.

Here's a list of NZ born players in the NRL this week ... give or take a few. Not a list of 'kiwi eligible players', just those born in NZ.

Bronson Harrison
Leeson Ah Mau
Shaun Kenny-Dowall
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Sonny Bill Williams
Frank-Paul Nu'uausala
Isaac Liu
Jesse Bromwich
Kenny Bromwich
Tohu Harris
Kevin Proctor
David Fusitua
Ngani Laumape
Manu Vatuvei
Shaun Johnson
Sam Rapira
Simon Mannering
Sebastine Ikahihifo
Ben Henry
Suaia Matagi
Sosaia Feki
Tinirau Arona
Sam Tagataese
Dean Whare
Sika Manu
Elijah Taylor
Mathew Wright
Curtis Rona
James Tamou
Jason Taumalolo
Manu Ma'u
Peni Terepo
Sam Perrett
Greg Eastwood
Sam Kasiano
Zane Tetevano
Peta Hiku
Steve Matai
Bill Tupou
Josh Papalii
Kurtis Rowe
Tim Simona
Bodene Thompson
Adam Blair
Martin Taupau
Ava Semanafagai
Sitaleki Akauloa
Mark Ioane