As we move further away from the World Cup and towards what will hopefully be a far more intriguing international calendar, the international landscape may never be the same. How this recent wave of players representing their Pacific Island heritage impacts Aotearoa Kiwis will be of low key interest moving forward, especially as many of these players are genuinely eligible for Aotearoa or their heritage. 

I need to preface the below paragraphs by saying that I love what is happening in international rugby league with regards to the resurgent Pacific Islands. The power sits with the player and no player should be judged for their decisions, ultimately I find it incredibly inspiring that someone like Tevita Pangai Junior has pledged his allegiance to Tonga so early in his career, thus turning his back on State of Origin and Australia representation.

Both Australia and Aotearoa have high numbers of polynesian players, such is the wave of migration. Australia and Aotearoa owe a lot to these polynesian players and as the majority of these polynesian players have grown up in Australia or Aotearoa, playing their junior footy in either country, these players owe a lot to Australia and Aotearoa. 

This is a super unique situation in international sport and I'd much rather have what we have in international rugby league, than what happens in international rugby union. I wouldn't go as far as saying the All Blacks have exploited polynesians (individuals and countries), but there's a strong polynesian influence on the All Blacks and rugby in Aotearoa, without much being given back to the Pacific Islands. What we have in rugby league, allows everyone to fill their cups and hopefully, ideally bring money, resources and general prosperity to the Pacific Island communities - through Samoa, Tonga and Fiji having competitive rugby league teams.

Coming at this strictly from a kiwi perspective though, could have some people concerned about the health of the Kiwis and kiwi rugby league. I boiled this down to one question; if all the polynesian players opted to represent their heritage, would the Kiwis still be all good?

Or more simply; would a Kiwis team consisting of maori and pakeha be all good?

I came to the conclusion that yes, Aotearoa would be all good right now and given my understanding of the growth of rugby league in Aotearoa, it will continue to be all good in the future. Ponder how awesome it would be if kiwi rugby league is all good and the Pacific Islands get most/all of their best talent.

I've compiled a few lists of maori/pakeha players who I'd consider as being in the general mix for a Kiwis squad right now...

Outside Backs

Jordan Rapana, Gerard Beale, Jason Nightingale, Jordan Kahu, Dean Whare, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Esan Marsters, Joseph Manu, Peta Hiku, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, Brad Takairangi.

Halves

Shaun Johnson, Kieran Foran, Te Maire Martin, Benji Marshall, Kodi Nikorima.

Middles

Jesse Bromwich, Russell Packer, Adam Blair, James Fisher-Harris, Elijah Taylor, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Greg Eastwood, Kenny Bromwich.

Edges

Simon Mannering, Alex Glenn, Tohu Harris, Joseph Tapine, Corey Harawira-Naera, Kevin Proctor.

Hookers

Issac Luke, Danny Levi, Slade Griffin, Brandon Smith.

In terms of maori/pakeha youngins who I have scribbled as names to remember, things are fairly healthy here as well. Steven Marsters (cousin of Esan) and Patrick Herbert are outside backs with the Dragons, Briton Nikora is an edge forward with Cronulla Sharks, Mawene Hiroti's an outside back with the Rabbitohs, Hayze Perham has swiftly slotted into reserve grade for the Warriors, the Turner brothers are also making waves with the Warriors, as is forward Tyler Slade and Jordan Riki was recruited by Brisbane Broncos.

Marsters, Herbert and Nikora played Junior Kiwis last year. Marsters doubled up in playing Aotearoa Under 18s, along with Hiroti, Perham, Paul Turner, Slade and Riki.

There is more than enough talent there to build a Kiwis team that with the right leadership/coaching, could beat Australia, England and the Pacific Island teams. You will note that I have not included Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Ben Matulino or Martin Taupau as they are all Samoan-kiwis; Taupau has previously represented Samoa.

For ease of use, I stuck to a maori/pakeha Kiwis group, however in no way, shape or form do I think that strictly maori/pakeha represents Aotearoa. Aotearoa is a multi-cultural nation, I just wish to highlight that there is more than enough maori/pakeha rugby league talent in Aotearoa to form a Kiwis team.

I mean, Asofa-Solomona was arguably the most passionate kiwi at the World Cup and Tuivasa-Sheck possibly the best player. Thus, I see very little evidence or reasoning for these guys to switch and represent Samoa any time soon. Tuivasa-Sheck, Asofa-Solomona, Matulino and Taupau have gone down the Kiwis route, fair play to them and right now, all four are in my strongest Kiwis team.

Roosters forward Isaac Liu has previously represented Samoa, before being selected for the Kiwis. I've got Liu as being a fringe Kiwis forward, who would be competing with James Fisher-Harris and Kenny Bromwich for the last bench spot in my team right now. Liu will need to make a firm decision whether to push for further Kiwis selection or play for Samoa in the near future, while Brisbane Broncos winger Jamayne Isaako will also have to make a decision soon enough.

Isaako is a Samoan-kiwi from Christchurch, who is one of the best outside back #KiwiNRL prospects. He has previously had two years in the Junior Kiwis and is a certainty to play international footy at some stage, for whom will be a low key funky narrative to follow.

Another youngster to keep an eye on this year (there are many other youngsters who will have to pick a country in the next few years) is Josh Aloiai, a West Tigers forward. Aloiai is a Samoan-kiwi from Auckland who was a Junior Kiwi in 2014, starting in a forward pack that also featured Sam Lisone, Addin Fonua-Blake, Joseph Tapine and Nelson Asofa-Solomona. 

Aloiai has been low key fantastic for the Tigers this season and could be in the mix for international selection this year if he continues his form. Warriors forward Isaiah Papali'i is similar to Aloiai as he's a Samoan-kiwi from Auckland who is stacking up impressive NRL minutes and will be on the international radar if he continues to trend upwards.

Personally, I just love how there is enough rugby league depth to be shared around. The fact that Aotearoa will be all good regardless of whom polynesian players opt to represent reflects the #KiwiNRL takeover and obviously we all want the Pacific Island teams to field their strongest possible teams, if not for the good vibes that this brings to local communities, then for the competitiveness of international rugby league.

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Peace and love 27.