After zoning in on a few #KiwiNRL cuzzies in Part 1 of this off-contract exploration, let's got hard and fast through a gang of off-contract cuzzies. When reading through this list, keep in mind that the Aotearoa Warriors are in need of some cheap recruits and this is Stephen Kearney's first opportunity to really go through the Warriors squad and build the squad he wants, not the leftovers of other folks' decisions.

I ain't saying that all these guys are highly likely to join the Warriors, however I do expect Kearney to make a move on at least one of these guys, especially as many of them hail from Auckland. This stems from my belief that Kearney will lean towards guys who have been around NRL footy for a few years, proven NRL performers who can help the Warriors win in the next few years. 

Kearney and Jim Doyle will need to make one or two shrewd pieces of business; pick up a guy for not much dosh and extract strong contributions out of him. 

Shem Tatupu (Auckland)

After being signed by Melbourne Storm from AFL, Tatupu is yet to be sighted in the NRL and probably won't get a look in this season. Don't stress though as Melbourne know what they are doing here and assuming that the former St. Peters rugby star is ticking the right boxes, the Storm will give him time and a new contract.

Sitaleki Akauola (Auckland)

Currently at Penrith Panthers, Akauola impressed last season as a middle forward but has struggled for minutes this season. Penrith have many young forwards and Akauola isn't getting a run, so look for another NRL club to pick up Akauola on the cheap and I'd suggest that the Aotearoa Warriors should consider the Manurewa Marlins junior.

Ava Seumanufagai (Wellington)

Ivan Cleary will hold most of the cards here as he is in a similar position to Kearney where he now has a chance to build his own squad. What role Wests Tigers prop Ava Seumanufagai plays in all of that will be interesting and although he - along with the rest of those Tigers - hasn't helped the Tigers win, he's shown what he's capable of and his most impressive stint came last season when Aaron Woods was out injured. 

It's difficult to see Seumanufagai leaving the Tigers. If Cleary doesn't want him, expect Seumanufagai to be in-demand as he still has a lot to prove and won't demand as big a contract as other middle forwards. 

Peni Terepo (Auckland)

After battling a little off-season situation (in Auckland), Peni Terepo has worked his way back on to Parramatta's bench and looks to be in-favour with coach Brad Arthur. I expect Terepo to re-sign but the spanner in the works is that Terepo tore his pectoral muscle last weekend and is out for the season; not ideal when hunting for a contract.

Terepo is all power, combining size with speed and footwork which is a highly desirable through the middle these days. The Warriors would be wise to sniff around Terepo, but the Eels should give him another chance.

Taane Milne (Auckland)

The Dragons centre showed that he can kick it at this level last season, however Taane Milne is struggling to get game time in a Dragons team that is flying high; when Milne was playing, the Dragons sucked and now he's not playing, they are good. That's understandable though as Euan Aitken and Tim Lafai are worthy of starting spots, leaving Milne as a NRL-calibre centre playing reserve grade footy. 

Wests Tigers have apparently showed interest and I don't think there will be a shortage of possible suitors for Milne. He can't command big money as he's merely looking for an opportunity.

Jason Nightingale (Tauranga)

Gypsy will either retire or re-sign and given his history in helping the Dragons out by taking 'unders', I reckon Nightingale will once again sacrifice money for the greater good.

Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Ngaruawahia)

There's plenty of outside back depth on Sydney's Eastern beaches and that's working against Shaun Kenny-Dowall, so is a fairly average run of form over the past six months. SKD could be an asset as he's experienced and can cover both centre and wing equally well, assuming that his lean patch in form is just that, SKD has the potential to be a very reliable, team-first recruit.

This could lead to him re-signing on the cheap at the Roosters, knowing that he's going to struggle to keep Joseph Manu, Lattrell Mitchell and Blake Ferguson out of the team. A lot could depend on what Michael Gordon does, he's doing a veteran job this season and if he doesn't re-sign then Mitchell or Ferguson could move to fullback and allow SKD to hold down his spot. My gut feel is that other teams will see more value in SKD than the Roosters will and they will offer him more money, if SKD wants to start and keeping earning good dosh then he'll have to leave.

Don't sleep on what happens to Johnny Tuivasa-Sheck either. He could enjoy a promotion to first grade at some stage this season and if he can emerge as a genuine wing option, then there'll be even more reason to give SKD the flick.

Siliva Havili (Auckland)

Kicking around in reserve grade, Siliva Havili is yet to get a chance with the Dragons this season and while it's difficult to go into any great depth about a reserve grader, Havili still intrigues me. The Dragons would benefit from re-signing Havili and he's done a fine job in reserve grade at hooker or lock, whether that's enough for the Dragons to want to keep him around as a depth option or not, well that's the question.

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