Jah bless the fact that we live in a time when a Kiwis squad is selected and there are so many options available to coach David Kidwell, so many players and decisions to discuss. Like you, I'm a bit perplexed by this squad but when you do factor in the depth and quality of depth that Aotearoa has in rugby league, we'd better get used to having a Kiwis squad that doesn't quite fit our own.

Before going any further, you can look forward to a Kiwis 'B' squad. That's the best way to describe our depth at the moment and yeah sure, there will be established #KiwiNRL cuzzies in that 'B' team but we've reached a point now where you've got to be a damn good youngster to earn selection over those who fit in the veteran bracket. Squads in previous years have featured many debutants and struggles in England best reflect that, as well as many blokes playing out of position.

As I've been beating on about for a while now, Nelson Asofa-Solomona has demanded selection. What Nasty NAS does in limited minutes for Melbourne makes him one of the most efficient forwards in the NRL and this is nicely suited to an Anzac Test where he'll take his role with the Storm and do that for the Kiwis.

Countering that is the selection of Russell Packer and while I can't find fault in Packer deserving a call up as he's been in decent form for a slick Dragons team, he's most likely to come off the bench in a different role to his starting spot with the Dragons. Can Packer offer impact and x-factor? Possibly, but as long as he maintains the work of Jesse Bromwich and Adam Blair, then the likes of Martin Taupau and NAS take on that block-bustin' role.

Expect Simon Mannering and Kevin Proctor to line up as the edge forwards; Bromwich, Issac Luke, Blair, Mannering, Proctor, Jason Taumalolo.

The starting forward pack is settled and how Kidwell puts his bench together will be a point of intrigue. I love that Kodi Nikorima has re-gained selection and on the back of his sublime work off the bench for the Kiwis and Broncos previously, he should hold down that No.14 spot.

Taupau is a certainty, leaving two spots for NAS, Packer and Kenny Bromwich - who has settled down nicely on the edge for Melbourne. Kidwell's decision depends on whether he wants cover for an edge forward in Kenny, if he wants to use Kenny through the middle with his footwork and speed possibly an asset or if he wants three big boppers.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Shaun Johnson and Kieran Foran select themselves. Leaving us with David Fusitua, Jordan Kahu, Jordan Rapana, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Dean Whare fighting for four outside back spots. Rapana, Kahu and Whare have to be selected with the funk coming in what position Kahu plays as he's a damn fine winger who can also be a damn fine centre.

A lot will depend on how Kidwell views Fusitua and that's complex in itself as Stephen Kearney has used Fusitua as a winger and a centre this season. When playing alongside Blake Ayshford, Fusitua slides out to the wing but with Solomone Kata injured, Fusitua played centre on the weekend. I've got Watene-Zelezniak as the unluggy one to miss out and Kidwell will have to decide whether Fusitua or Kahu plays centre or wing.

My 17 would look like this:

Tuivasa-Sheck, Fusitua, Kahu, Whare, Rapana, Foran, Johnson, Jesse Bromwich, Luke, Blair, Proctor, Mannering, Taumalolo | Nikorima, Taupau, NAS, Kenny Bromwich.

Don't jump to any major conclusions about blokes who haven't been selected either. I suspect a couple of them are either injured, or injured to a point where it was best for them not to play. This goes for Samoa, Tonga, Fiji etc as well, such is life with a mid-season international break and with the World Cup on the horizon, there's a lot of water to go under the bridge.

Alright, so Brandon Smith. Forget the headlines about the kid from Waiheke because I strongly, ruthlessly suggest that he's only been selected as a development player. Headlines will whip y'all into a frenzy about this guy being selected for the Kiwis without playing an NRL game, but this is very similar to what Queensland have done for a long time in bring up and coming players into their camp with no intention of them playing during that particular series.

Think of Edrick Lee and Dylan Napa in 2015, or Ethan Lowe and Felise Kaufusi last year. These are guys that Queensland identify as being capable of earning an Origin call up at some stage in the future and are wisely selected to get a taste of what it is like to be part of the Queensland Maroons. They have Emerging Origin Squads as well, but that doesn't compare to being around the team as they prepare for Origin.

Smith won't play for the Kiwis this year and probably won't next year. Smith is a bloody good young footballer and dominated with the Cowboys Under 20s before being snapped up by Melbourne Storm and shipped up to the Sunshine Coast Falcons where he plays in the Intrust Super Cup. Smith could earn an NRL call up this year during Origin when Cameron Smith's unavailable and given the depth of hookers we have, Smith will need to prove himself better than Nikorima, Danny Levi, Matt McIlwrickn Nathaniel Roache and fellow reserve grader Manaia Cherrington.

Smith has been selected in the exact same role that Levi was selected for last year, keep that in mind folks. This is nothing more than smart planning and development, something that is going to be crucial moving forward as Aotearoa rugby league continues to grow and pile up all sorts of depth.

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