Think of the #KiwiNRL takeover and your pesky little brain will be flooded with names from the growing list of players from Aotearoa who are in the NRL now and those younger players who are with Australian clubs, waiting for their shot. A low key aspect of the #KiwiNRL takeover that I allude to on many occasions but haven't quite explained is that rugby league is spreading its tentacles throughout Aotearoa, via these Australian clubs.

That's not to sip hateraide on the Warriors or NZRL, everyone involved is contributing to the #KiwiNRL takeover. If you're of the belief that rugby league and Aotearoa's contribution to the NRL is restricted to Auckland, then you need to pay attention because now'a'days the number of rugby league avenues available to those outside of Auckland is soaring through the roof and talent is rewarded. Whether it's Northland, Waikato, the production line of Rotorua Boys High School, Taupo's low key rugby league scene or Wellington's breeding ground that has blessed us with Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Joseph Tapine, Danny Levi, Jordan Kahu, Jahrome Hughes, Ava Seumanufagai and Sione Katoa; the #KiwiNRL takeover is as much about what's happening in Aotearoa as it is Australia.

Perhaps the most slept on #KiwiNRL region is Canterbury and although Canterbury has had a consistent presence in the NRL, now we are seeing top-tier quality mixed in with the single strongest piece of #KiwiNRL takeover evidence; junior recruitment. Although he's emerged as one of the worst Aotearoa coaches ever, David Kidwell cracked it and he's from Christchurch, so shout outz to him, then you had the likes of Lewis Brown and Pita Godinet reppin' Canterbury over the past decade.

Brown and Godinet are still making meaningful NRL contributions, with Godinet linking up with Wests Tigers for this season, leaving Brown at Manly Sea Eagles. Brown will once again be a versatile option for Manly and that versatility is of great value, definitely not a limiting factor. Godinet is also a versatile utility who can play hooker and halves, but with Benji Marshall backing up Luke Brooks and Josh Reynolds, as well as Tuimoala Lolohea - likely to start at fullback - lurking, Godinet will offer experienced depth at dummy half.

Godinet will probably have to sit below Matt McIlwrick on the dummy half depth chart and if Canterbury is a slept on #KiwiNRL region, McIlwrick is a heavily slept on #KiwiNRL joker. The Halswell junior was signed by Canberra Raiders from Christchurch and went on to play Junior Kiwis while at Canberra, before spending a year with the Roosters and a year in Cronulla. Then McIlwrick was signed by the Tigers and has enjoyed stability with the Tigers, earning a two-year deal in 2017 to stay there until the end of 2019.

McIlwrick and Godinet will be competing for minutes, meaning that two players born and raised in Christchurch will be competing for NRL game time. That's rather nek-level.

Another Christchurch product moving clubs over summer was Fa'amanu Brown, who has moved from the Sharks to Bulldogs. There must be something in the water down there in Canterbury because the Hornby junior is very similar to Brown, Godinet, Kodi Nikorima and Jazz Tevaga in that he's played NRL footy in a variety of different positions. Brown emerged as a half, making his debut for Cronulla as a 19-year-old and while I still think that's his best position, Brown spent a lot of time coming off the bench as a dummy half.

Now that he's moving to the Bulldogs, I'm intrigued to see where Brown is used and if he is able to lock down one position. Ideally, Brown will partner Kieran Foran in the halves with Moses M'bye moving to fullback; the time has come to give Brown a decent crack at a play-making role. NRL minutes are NRL minutes though and Brown's skill, as well as a left-footed kicking game gives him a bit of funk at dummy half.

Tevaga and Nikorima share some Cantab history. Both were raised in Christchurch thanks to the military and played footy together for Burnham, now they are both in the NRL and they are both excessively versatile. Tevaga will be looking to get on to the Warriors bench this season, while Nikorima has flexed at dummy half and in the halves, as well as playing a bit of fullback for Brisbane Broncos. Where Nikorima is used for Brisbane will also be of great interest this season; even though Ben Hunt's departed, I'm not convinced on the Nikorima x Anthony Milford combination.

Oh look, it's another excessively versatile Canterbury product! Only this time, Jamayne Isaako is an outside back who could literally play any backline position and has played Junior Kiwis footy at fullback and in the halves. Isaako is perhaps my favourite #KiwiNRL prospect and we got a glimpse of him last season as he slotted in at fullback for Brisbane, looking sublime in the process.

Isaako was signed by Cronulla from St Bedes 1st XV rugby and was then scouted by Wayne Bennett, who sussed out a move to the Broncos for Isaako. I've got no idea where Isaako could get a run for Brisbane this season as he's the back up fullback, but could very easily demand a starting wing or centre spot and this has me frothing with excitement. Reserve grade could be where Isaako spends the opening few weeks of the season, but he's already shown that he's a monster in that grade and he should be starting his NRL development asap.

That's a fairly impressive crop of Canterbury talent and then we have a gang of youngsters who are leading a wave of Cantabs who have been scouted and recruited by Australian clubs in the past 12 months. Jordan Riki is one of the best young forwards in Aotearoa having played for NZ U18s earlier this year (and a bunch of other rep squads) and the Hornby junior has signed on with Brisbane Broncos, where he'll join Isaako and Nikorima as Canterbury products, along with Kahu (Wellington) and Alex Glenn (Auckland).

Riki's homies from St Thomas of Canterbury College, Patrick Elia and Seth Tauamiti have both been signed by the Warriors. The Warriors have also snapped up Linwood junior Grame Patu-Vaega'au, while Cronulla Sharks made a big move to sign Cruz Topai-Aveai from the Rabbitohs, after the Rabbitohs recruited the forward from Shirley Boys High School and Celebration Lions.

Pre season has well in truly arrived 😅 #AnyLungs

349 Likes, 9 Comments - Cruz Topai-Aveai (@topaiaveai_) on Instagram: "Pre season has well in truly arrived 😅 #AnyLungs"

Ofa Manuofetoa isn't from Christchurch, but Timaru isn't too far away and he was signed by Newcastle Knights from Timaru Boys High School and Aoraki.

Such is the sporting talent in Aotearoa, there's bound to be many more youngsters who I have missed from the Canterbury region who have been scouted by NRL clubs. This is only the tip of the iceberg and while the goldmine of Aotearoa is only starting to be explored by NRL clubs, Canterbury has the highest ceiling of all regions as an NRL production line given its size. This is the start folks and don't be surprised to see NRL clubs pour more resource into Canterbury, perhaps even establishing relationships just as Penrith Panthers did with Northland.

Just another step in the #KiwiNRL takeover, hit an ad to show your support.

Peace and love 27.