When I ask y'all to think about the Kiwis, most people will remember last year's Four Nations campaign. That didn't leave such a sweet taste and the reaction, or over-reaction from many folk was laughable because we know that having a fresh coach and numerous regular Kiwis out of action was always going to make that campaign difficult. The reason for optimism at that time was this year, led by the World Cup and the upcoming Anzac Test is a nice little teaser.

A teaser because we've got a full-strength Kiwis squad on deck in the NRL, not only that but we're seeing the general #KiwiNRL takeover continue with more debutants being named every week. Tohu Harris probably won't be available and he's the only top-tier kiwi who will struggle to make his case for the Anzac Test, while the likes of Kodi Nikorima, James Fisher-Harris, Sio Siua Taukeiaho and Joseph Tapine have or will come back into contention at the right time.
In the lead up to the Anzac Test, I'll drop a Kiwis team for that Test each week and offer some insight into how difficult picking a Kiwis squad will be for David Kidwell.

Fullback: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

This selection is easy though as Tuivasa-Sheck has proved his fitness and as long as he's on the park, he's doing things that only RTS can do.

Wings: Jordan Rapana, Jason Nightingale.

Two more fairly easy selections with Rapana continuing to establish himself as one of the best wingers in the NRL, while Nightingale is going about his business in typically solid fashion for the Dragons. There are younger options like Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and David Fusitua, but Nightingale deserves his spot based on his Kiwis mana and obviously his form in an impressive Dragons team.

Centres: Dean Whare, Jordan Kahu.

World Cup year and Whare is back at his best. When Whare is at his best he locks up a centre spot in any team. Kahu has been playing on the wing for Brisbane, however there are more wingers than centres reppin' Aotearoa and Kahu has shown many times that he's a more than capable centre. Shaun Kenny-Dowall's not exactly demanding selection and his young Roosters comrade Joseph Manu is a great prospect, but he's got a long way to go.

Halves: Shaun Johnson, Kieran Foran.

One very simple piece of context regarding the Four Nations failure: last year's Warriors halves combination was rolled out for the Four Nations (Johnson/Thomas Leuluai) and the Anzac Test should see the Kiwis fall back on the current Warriors halves combination - which is a whole lot better.

Middle Forwards: Jesse Bromwich, Adam Blair, Jason Taumalolo.

Bromwich and Taumalolo pick themselves. Blair has added some attacking impetus this season and with many powerful forwards in the squad, Blair's mobility and defensive effort offers some nice balance to the Kiwis' middle.

Hooker: Issac Luke.

There are a few young kiwi hookers but Luke is showing off his OG status.

Edge Forwards: Simon Mannering, Manu Ma'u.

Tohu Harris and Kevin Proctor would definitely be in contention if healthy - Proctor might prove his fitness in time - but with Taumalolo holding down a middle spot, Mannering has to slide to the edge. We all know Mannering won't let his country down as an edge forward and with the injuries to Harris and Proctor, I'm happy to roll with Ma'u on the other edge with the prospect of Ma'u coming up against the Aussies on a big stage has me fizzing. Kenny Bromwich can't be slept on here either after earning consistent game time on Melbourne's edge.

Bench: Kodi Nikorima, Martin Taupau, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Joseph Tapine.

Australia could roll out a massive forward pack and while there's plenty of size and power on this Kiwis bench, the return of Nikorima has come at the perfect time. He'll do a job at halfback for Brisbane in the coming weeks and his x-factor off the bench for the Kiwis will be crucial as he's got all the skills combined with speed and footwork.

We'll have to wait and see if Taupau is healthy, if he isn't then the likes of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Alex Glenn, Kenny Bromwich or James Fisher-Harris could fill a bench spot. Two certainties for me are Asofa-Solomona and Tapine; NAS is a wildcard and needs to be given game time before the World Cup while Tapine snapped up his opportunity at a starting spot for Canberra and I suspect he'll continue to thrive.

Glenn, Bromwich and Fisher-Harris can offer depth in the Kiwis squad and they have all shown that they can play through the middle and on the edges. I'd also pick Te Maire Martin to spend more time with the Kiwis and outside back depth comes in the form of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and David Fusitua.

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