Joseph Tapine joins Nelson Asofa-Solomona as two Wellingtonians going good in the NRL

The Kiwis, or what might be the Kiwis team for the England Tour will get a fair amount of loving by us over the next few months. But what about those guys who aren't quite in the mix for the national team, but deserve a mention and could definitely find themselves in a Kiwis jersey in the future?

In making this team, I've tried to ignore those who are already in the Kiwis. There are a few contentious selections in that regard, while there are also a few players who I wouldn't mind seeing in the Kiwis touring squad for England. As always, there are players who have represented Samoa or Tonga already and I'm just rolling with the current international rugby league eligibility rules which are super confusing/allow for switch-a-roos.

Tuimoala Lolohea - Keeping Josh Hoffman out of the team is Lolohea who has all the skills as a half but would benefit greatly from playing with more freedom which fullback provides. Lolohea has been one of the best players for the Warriors this season on a consistent basis and has done a good job in whatever position he has been asked to fill.

Sosaia Feki - An extremely solid option on the wing, Feki continues to make NRL footy look pretty simple. He's a strong ball-carrier and a noted finisher while being reasonable at defensive reads as well.

Kirisome Auva'a - We saw what Auva'a could do last year as he was a low key influential figure in the Rabbitohs' Premiership run, but he had to cop domestic abuse charges on the chin hence we haven't seen much of him this season. As a mark of how well regarded he is by Michael Maguire, he's walked back into the Rabbitohs team with his footwork and size pretty tough to handle.

Mathew Wright - Like Feki, Wright doesn't receive a whole lot of attention from kiwis but does a great job in a variety of positions for the Cowboys each week. This comes after Wright has been able to enjoy consistent footy with the Cowboys as he saw Cronulla's ASADA scandal catch up with him last season.

Antonio Winterstein - A beast, he's solidly built and is quick enough to hang with most NRL wingers. Winterstein narrowly keeps Curtis Rona out, which is crazily tough on Rona, but I'm a huge Winterstein fan.

Te Maire Martin - A star of the future, Martin gets a halves spot here because this 'B' team is trying to provide players to the Kiwis team in the future. Martin has a promising future ahead of him and will join Junior Kiwis halves partner Dockar-Clay at the Panthers next season. The more footy these two can play together, the better and they will be putting pressure on Shaun Johnson and Kieran Foran at some stage.

Zach Dockar Clay - See above.

Albert Vete - Lolohea has to fight off competition from Vete as the Warriors' best this season as the young prop has burst onto the NRL scene and then backed it up with consistent performances. Don't sleep on Vete just because the Warriors have been shit, Vete's the bloke charging with the most energy and leads by example.

Manaia Cherrington - The young rake has tasted NRL footy this season and should see a lot more of it when Robbie Farah departs. He isn't overly flashy, but I'd be happy to describe him as slick and hasn't looked out of place in the quicker NRL.

Sam McKendry - The elder statesman of this team, McKendry deserves a look in thanks to an impressive season with the Panthers. He has had moments where he has looked like a battler, but he has also had many games where he gets through 150 plus metres and doesn't miss a beat in the middle.

Kenny Bromwich - The younger Bromwich has filled a few roles with the Storm this season and starts at lock this week, but his main position is on the edge. He's not massive but he is mobile and is tough enough to handle bigger players while also possessing a bit of skill as well.

Manu Ma'u - Ruthless and rugged, what more do want? In my eyes, Ma'u is a rep player as he's shown that he can play 80 minutes, play on either edge and do his job at a high level.

Elijah Taylor - International footy doesn't exactly reward the workhorse, but Taylor's skill and his defensive nous give him the nod here. He's got a nice bit of ball-playing in him which I like and will hold the middle together without needing to make big metres thanks to this bench...

Bench

Siosiua Taukeiaho - One of the players who could be a Kiwi by the end of the year, Taukeiaho has been nothing short of immense this season with the Roosters.

Ligi Sao - Enjoying greater opportunities with Manly this season, Sao has shown that he's got the right combination of power, toughness and skill to kick it consistently in the NRL. I see him as one of our better young middle forwards and he'll be an above average NRL forward in the future.

Joseph Tapine - From what we have seen of Tapine this season with the Knights he's big, athletic and can off-load with ease. He'll play on the edge and will bring the ruckus to an opposition half. Keep an eye on Tapine next season as Beau Scott's leaving Newcastle which opens up a starting edge spot.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona - Big, athletic and can off-load with ease ... but through the middle. We've only seen glimpses of Asofa-Solomona this season, but I've seen enough to label him the most promising forward we have.