Despite being fed a Kiwis team for the Anzac Test, that Kiwis team wasn't quite picked on form. Just like with the squad for last year's tour to England, coach Stephen Kearney had one eye on the bigger tournaments coming on the radar and we saw a Kiwis squad that at the very least highlighted the strength of kiwi rugby league. 

Kearney is understandably busy with in Brisbane, assisting Wayne Bennett as part of a super-coaching duo, leading what was be considered a super team. Shout out to Kearney because he knows a good rugby league judge when he sees one and he's hit me up on the Niche Cache hotline and he wants a form/healthy Kiwis team right now. So here we go...

Jason Nightingale: There are a few options to fill in for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and I toyed with the idea of keeping Jordan Kahu at fullback, but with a few wingers in hot form and a lack of centres, it is Nightingale who gets the nod. Safe as houses and always willing to take plenty of carries, Nightingale has done a fine job with the Dragons since Josh Dugan has been out injured and is consistently one of their better players.

Jordan Rapana/Dallin Watene-Zelezniak: Easy selection here as Rapana has been a phenom for Canberra on their right wing, putting up staggering numbers each week and if the Raiders win a game, Rapana plays a blinder while if the Raiders lose a game as they did on Friday night, Rapana is the best player in lime green. I was liking Manu Vatuvei's return but a bung hamstring ensures that Watene-Zelezniak gets the nod and like Rapana, DWZ is consistently of Penrith's best regardless of how his team performs.

Gerard Beale/Jordan Kahu: Beale is rewarded for his solid work in a top-four team as the Cronulla Sharks are flying high and their best work has coincided with Beale getting more game time in the centre position. Kahu is capable of filling any backline position and the Kiwis need him at centre with a long injury list robbing us of our best centres, Kahu's still a gun and one of the most promising young kiwi players in the NRL.

Thomas Leuluai/Shaun Johnson: This was a bloody confusing pick and despite Kearney clearly not rockin' with Benji Marshall, I was happy to give Marshall the nod alongside Johnson. Marshall hasn't been playing enough, nor has he really demanded selection so the easiest option here was to simply slot in the Warriors halves pairing of Leuluai and Johnson. Johnson on the right, Leuluai on the left and let them go to work behind a ruthless forward pack.

Jesse Bromwich/Adam Blair: Both these two lads are healthy and they are both playing in top-four teams which makes them certain selections. Bromwich has only enhanced his reputation as the NRL's best prop with dominant performances as the Storm enjoy a slick run of form and while Blair is a menace in the middle of the field and a loyal Kiwis servant.

Issac Luke: Kearney ignored Luke for the Anzac Test, which was a bit silly but I had no dramas with it as Luke wasn't quite at his best form and with an eye on the future, the best option was to allow Luke a week off to get himself right and see what other options were available. Luke is the best hooker from Aotearoa in the NRL and he's still a top-five, possibly a top-three NRL hooker which means he's one of the first names jotted down in this team.

Tohu Harris/Kevin Proctor: Pile on, get all the Melbourne Storm boys in here because the Storm are red-hot and they've got a stack of Kiwis in their team. Harris plays on the left, Proctor on the right and they are both big lads who have great footwork while also consistently running great lines in the NRL. The form of these two means there's no room for Simon Mannering on the edges and Mannering would need a few more weeks in which he's playing his best footy to come into contention.

Jason Taumalolo: The most dynamic No.13 in the NRL? Heck, he's the most dynamic forward in the NRL.

Bench

Kodi Nikorima: This bench is all about impact and Nikorima does that on a weekly basis in the NRL with Brisbane. Nikorima would come on for Luke late in the first half and I'd leave Nikorima out there for the first 10-15 minutes of the second half with Luke finishing the game. Nikorima is the closest kiwi hooker to Luke in terms of their dynamic running game and being able to replace Luke with his clone is a luxury.

Ben Matulino: Has to be there as he's a Kiwis stalwart, he'll come off the bench and offer some footwork and offloading ability around the 25 minute mark. 

Sio Siua Taukeiaho: A difficult selection here as there are forwards like Mannering and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves who are in nice form but Taukeiaho's ability to play through the middle and on the edge, with a ruthlessly dynamic effectiveness gives him the nod. Taukeiaho has been playing in an up and down Roosters team, however he's done a good job where ever coach Trent Robinson has put him and his speed/size/footwork combo is similar to Taumalolo's.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona: The bolter. NAS isn't unique with his size but there aren't too many NRL big boppers who has his size, his skill and his mobility which has given the Storm a huge boost this season. He has only played more than 30 minutes three times this season, but his efficiency with each carry is eye-catching as he's averaged at least 10m-per-carry in his last 18 games.

18th Man

Tuimoala Lolohea: I need Tui-Lolo in my squad somewhere, just to be around the boys, be around the set-up and soak up the Kiwis vibes. Lolohea can also cover a bunch of positions if needed but this is all about having Lolohea in the Kiwis camp as he'll play a crucial role with the Kiwis in the next five-seven years.