#KiwiNRL Encyclopedia: Round 12
Benji Milford.
Rabbitohs vs Eels
The 13
Rabbitohs: Bryson Goodwin.
Eels: Kirisome Auva'a, Brad Takairangi, Josh Hoffman, Suaia Matagi, Manu Ma'u.
Bench
Rabbitohs: Zane Musgrove
Eels: Kenny Edwards.
Doc's Word
The arrival of Mitchell Moses at Parramatta should ensure that Brad Takairangi doesn't need to slot into the halves too much now. Parramatta have had to move various pieces of their backline around to cover injuries this season and given some consistent game time at centre, with Semi Radradra outside him, Takairangi should be someone to keep an eye on. There could be a Kiwis opening there if Takairangi's form is good enough.
Warriors vs Broncos
The 13
Warriors: All but Blake Ayshford, Ryan Hoffman.
Broncos: Jordan Kahu, Benji Marshall, Herman Ese'ese, Adam Blair, Alex Glenn.
Bench
Warriors: All the boys.
Broncos: Kodi Nikorima, Jamayne Isaako.
Doc's Word
Benji Marshall takes Anthony Milford's spot in the halves and as Marshall operates in a similar fashion to Milford, I'm eager to see if he can slot straight in alongside Ben Hunt. Expect Marshall to play down the left and the Broncos will look to get Marshall into positions where he can run the footy, plus the combination of Marshall and fullback Jordan Kahu will be fun to watch. Brisbane have a hefty #KiwiNRL gang for this game and while the likes of Marshall, Kahu, Adam Blair, Alex Glenn and Kodi Nikorima will get the headlines, Herman Ese'ese returns to Auckland and he'll be starting at prop in front of friends and family, against a Warriors pack who aren't overly confident at the mo.
Sharks vs Bulldogs
The 13
Sharks: Sosaia Feki, Gerard Beale, Fa'amanu Brown.
Bulldogs: Greg Eastwood.
Bench
Sharks: Sam Tagataese, Briton Nikora.
Bulldogs: Sam Kasiano, Reimis Smith, Renouf To'omaga, Brad Abbey.
Doc's Word
Fa'amanu Brown has signed with the Bulldogs for next season and will start in the halves against them, giving them a taste of what he can do. With limited opportunities to start in the halves, any chance Brown gets is fun to watch and Des Hasler will be keeping close tabs on him. Also named on Cronulla's extended bench is Junior Kiwi Briton Nikora, he's an edge forward who appears to be an injury/suspension or two away from getting some NRL minutes.
Raiders vs Roosters
The 13
Raiders: Jordan Rapana, Joseph Tapine, Iosia Soliola.
Roosters: Joseph Manu, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Sio Siua Taukeiaho.
Bench
Raiders: Haters.
Roosters: Isaac Liu.
Doc's Word
Origin is offering all sorts of opportunities to our #KiwiNRL lads but we've been robbed of seeing two of the low key best #KiwiNRL forwards go to battle in the middle of the field. Joseph Tapine and Sio Siua Taukeiaho usually play through the middle for the Raiders and Roosters, combining power with footwork to do a fine job of impersonating Jason Taumalolo. For this game though, Tapine replaces Josh Papalii and Taukeiaho replaces Boyd Cordner, both down their team's left edge so we won't even get to see them face off against each other!
This does however show the ability of these two as they can slide seamlessly from playing through the middle to playing on the edge. Ricky Stuart and Trent Robinson see more value in moving Tapine and Taukeiaho to the edges than bringing in a specialist edge forward, no surprises there as they are beastly creatures and are half of the freakish #TTTT quartet; Jason Taumalolo and Martin Taupau are the others.
While we're here...
To some extent, I thoroughly enjoy when the Warriors are struggling because you start to see how limited the #KiwiNRL experience is for some. The Warriors are a team playing out of Aotearoa, with an obviously large #KiwiNRL contingent but you only need to take a look around the NRL to find further #KiwiNRL joy that should fill your bucket.
This especially applies during Origin as it's our #KiwiNRL lads who benefit greatly, however you can still enjoy the kiwi aspect of the NRL while ignoring the Warriors. I'd recommend that you pick a team that has a #KiwiNRL group that you like, or even just a bunch of #KiwiNRL players who excite you and make you want to watch them every weekend.
Jordan Rapana and Joseph Manu are fine examples of this, just like Tapine and Taukeiaho they'll line up on opposite flanks though. All four of these lads are extremely difficult to handle and you're more likely to see them brushing off tackles instead of being dominated, they are all exciting to watch and ooze potential.
Maybe you're a league fan from Christchurch and you're sick of hearing about the Warriors? Get in behind Fa'amanu Brown then and celebrate a rare NRL appearance in the halves for the Premiership winning Sharks. Cantabrians are spoilt for choice these days with Brown a blatant NRL talent, Matt McIlwrick starting every game at hooker for Wests Tigers and Jamayne Isaako consistently lurking on Brisbane's extended bench. Why concern yourself with the Warriors when you've got lads who come from where you're from? These three are all young as well and there's nothing better than supporting someone on their come-up.
Do you really need a reason to watch Manu Ma'u and Suaia Matagi each week? Ignore the Warriors and get your kids watching these two, relay their inspirational story and use them as an example of what is possible in life. Ma'u plays 80 minutes every week in ruthlessly entertaining fashion while Matagi's style is about as direct as you can get, so get excited to see him whack the Burgess bros.
The Warriors use Maori culture for their branding but other clubs have better Maori talent and far more Maori talent than them. So if you're a hearty Maori down the line, tune in to catch the Broncos every weekend as they're bringin Kahu, Marshall, Blair, Glenn and Nikorima to Aotearoa and apart from Marshall, they roll out an immensely talented group of Maori players every week.
Penrith Maori, or Maori Panthers; you chose. Out in Sydney's west there's two Northlanders in James Fisher-Harris and Corey Harawira-Naera for anyone north of Auckland to support, then their general Maori crew is huge as well. Peta Hiku, Dean Whare, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Te Maire Martin are all worthy of your non-Warriors support and they contribute strongly to an exciting Penrith team.
Follow Jason Taumalolo as he tries to run for 200m every week.
Follow the return of Jesse Bromwich, or there's this Nelson Asofa-Solomona bloke for Melbourne who is must-watch viewing.
Follow the Russell Packer and Jason Nightingale as they look to build on a strong start to the seasons.
Don't fall into the trap of believing that you can only find a #KiwiNRL angle via the Warriors when there's more (and better) kiwis running around with other NRL teams. Not only that, but there's different levels as well; Brisbane and Penrith have large #KiwiNRL groups while you can alternatively follow an individual like Taumalolo.
The joy in this is that every angle is covered. If you want to support winners then the best teams have kiwis, if you want to support up-and-comers then there's a plethora of young #KiwiNRL talent all around the league. Maybe you want inspiration or Maori role-models, perhaps you nerd out and love to watch how two kiwi lads do battle against each other.
What ever you require as child of Aotearoa, is there for you in the #KiwiNRL.
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