As you've probably read a few times on the Niche Cache, rugby league eligibility is a puzzling wee thing. We can all have our own opinions and thoughts on a players eligibility, but we obviously can't tell them what to do given their individual circumstances and trying to predict eligibility is just as tricky. 

With the representative team lists now official, we do have clarity with a few players who were eligible for two or more countries. Clarity to an extent as the City and Country teams named don't restrict players from then turning out for another country besides Australia at the World Cup next year, for example. There's a few interesting cases, which is why I'm here.

The biggest name is unquestionably Semi Radradra, who has opted to play for Australia instead of Fiji. This is a classic case of the benefits of representing Australia being far greater than those gained in reppin' Fiji, which was backed up by Radradra's father who stated that Semi's success had basically set up his family financially. Radradra is now one of two Kangaroos wingers, that's an exclusive club and it's fair recognition for his hard work.

New Zealand have called up Manu Ma'u, who will start on the edge for the Kiwis after playing a couple of games for Tonga. Ma'u was apparently born in Auckland, so he's just as eligible as any other kiwi. As a kiwi myself, I'm super happy that Ma'u will pull on the black and white jersey as he's one of the best edge forwards in the NRL and he's the type of player that you've gotta watch as he brings an intensity to each hitup or tackle that not many blokes do. 

Interestingly, I see that Brad Takairangi has been called up to the Kiwis squad. Takairangi was apparently born in Australia (played junior footy in Cronulla) but is Cook Island/Maori.

The Sims brothers are always going to provide some funk as they have previously represented Fiji and are obviously gunning for State of Origin spots and subsequently Kangaroos spots. Korbin is the youngest and he's been named in the Fijian squad while Tariq will come off the bench for Country, don't forget that Korbin has pledged allegiance to Queensland and Tariq is all about the sky blue. Tariq was head and shoulders above Korbin in terms of their standing in the NRL, however Tariq has plateaued a bit since joining the Knights while Korbin has established himself as an NRL forward. Keep an eye on which Sims brother ends up in the Origin arena first, I'm picking Korbin.

Fiji will play Papa New Guinea, who have both David Mead and Nene MacDonald in their squad. Mead had leaned towards Queensland previously before playing two games for Country while MacDonald has relished a move up from Sydney to the Gold Coast and will be a key weapon for PNG.

With their centre stocks somewhat depleted, I was curious as to whether Stephen Kearney would try lure Solomone Kata into the Kiwis set up. Kata came to Aotearoa from Tonga during high school, so to see him consistently representing Tonga only feels right and Kata is carving a niche out for himself as a constant presence in the Tongan team. Tonga and the other island nations need players like Kata to be put on a pedastool, so shout out to Kata.

Tonga will also have the services of Tony Williams, who appears to seen the writing on the wall in terms of his New South Wales hopes. Williams must be eyeing up the World Cup and his selection is a massive boost for Tonga. There's also Sione Katoa who is a former Junior Kiwis rep, he'll start at hooker.

With each Kiwi NRL Stocks usually came a comment on Facebook regarding Junior Paulo, the Parramatta Eels prop. Apparently he was born in Aotearoa, but he'd represented New South Wales at the Under-20's level so I tried to steer clear of claiming him as a kiwi and now Paulo will roll out for Samoa. I'd once again suggest that Paulo has one eye on the World Cup and Samoa will benefit greatly from having Paulo in their side.

Samoa's team are nearly all eligible for the Kiwis as well, hence this isn't an easy issue to settle.

The only other note regarding Tonga and Samoa's respective teams is that the losses of Albert Vete (Tonga) and Sam Lisone (Samoa) have only shown how much depth both Tonga and Samoa have. Vete and Lisone are both worthy of international selection, however they won't be missed.

City have named Leilani Latu to start at prop, he's a gun for the Panthers and has been part of previous Tongan squads. City have also made a low key move for Addin Fonua-Blake who had represented the Junior Kiwis in 2014, he'll come off the bench after some impressive work with Manly this season.

As we already know Jayden Nikorima has gone the Aussie route and will start for the Junior Kangaroos at hooker while older brother Kodi comes off the bench for the Kiwis.