2020 is the year that keeps on delivering #KiwiNRL funk with Canberra Raiders youngster Matthew Timoko making his debut on Sunday night, the 12th debut from Aotearoa and Timoko joins a crop of Steven Marsters, Staford To'a, Asu Kepaoa, Christian Tuipulotu, Jordan Riki and Paul Turner who have all come through the NZRL pipeline over the past five years. Unfortunately, 2020 is also a year of attrition and while we are all trying to get through this crazy ol' year, for NRL teams it's about staying healthy as injuries ravage most squads.

Let's start with Matthew Timoko, who was named on the bench for Canberra Raiders and then got a sniff of NRL footy via an injury to Curtis Scott. Timoko played right centre and he's primarily a centre, so I was curious to see how his game time would come - if at all - and Scott's injury opened the door. Here are Timoko's stats: 35mins, 7 runs for 63m @ 9m/run, 5 tackles @ 100%.

Timoko isn't overly big, but he is a nimble mover with sneaky power which probably served him extremely well in 1st 15 rugby for Auckland Grammar.

Here is a #KiwiNRL 2020 debutant backline…

FB: Steven Marsters.

Wings: Christian Tuipulotu, Asu Kepaoa.

Centres: Jackson Ferris, Matthew Timoko.

Halves: Daejarn Asi, Paul Turner.

The two injuries that have perked up my #KiwiNRL antenna are Brandon Smith and Dylan Brown. Smith suffered a broken jaw a round prior vs Parramatta Eels and Brown then suffered an ankle injury this round, which puts them in doubt for finals footy and more importantly any Aotearoa Kiwis Tests post-season. There has been plenty of discussion around the Storm's 'very Storm-ish problem' of having three high quality hookers on their roster and I find this rather interesting considering it centres around the Kiwis best hooker.

I was rather surprised when I dove into this, so let this serve as a reminder of how damn impressive Smith has been since making his debut. Having made his NRL debut in 2017, Smith then made his Kiwis debut in 2018 and has since played eight Tests starting at hooker to casually ease into his international career. Not only did Smith have an immediate impact starting, Smith has played a huge role for the Kiwis as they have undergone a hefty resurgence period under coach Michael Maguire.

Here are Smith's minutes log for his eight Tests: 52mins, 42mins, 47mins, 50mins, 60mins, 61mins, 47mins.

In these eight Tests, no specialist hooker has been on the bench behind Smith with coach Maguire instead using Kenny Bromwich in the first three Tests touring England, then Jahrome Hughes offering utility more recently. When Smith was absent for last year's Test at Eden Park, Kodi Nikorima started at hooker with Hughes on the bench.

Smith may already be the most influential player for Aotearoa Kiwis and there is a minor depth worry here as other than the utilities mentioned above, Danny Levi and Jeremy Marshall-King are the only specialist hookers who are eligible. Of course, many overlook Smith as an international hooker because he's having immense impact as a middle forward for the Storm and that's further reason to celebrate the Waiheke Ram.

I had Brown as an Aotearoa Kiwis half option and while I definitely believe he's the best available to partner Shaun Johnson, there is plenty of competition coming from the experience of Benji Marshall and Kieran Foran, then Jahrome Hughes and then the younger crop. Brown played on through his ankle injury and having yarned plenty about Brown, I reckon Brown is more important to the Eels than Mitchell Moses this season and despite Brown playing far less minutes, he offered a minor example in the loss vs Rabbitohs...

Brown: 55mins, 9 runs for 84m @ 9.33m/run, 2 tb, 20 tackles @ 90.1 %.

Moses: 80mins, 9 runs for 64m @ 7.11m/run, 1 offload, 26 tackles @ 74.3 %.

Forecasting forward, we may be able to see the quality of Brown in his absence over the next few weeks as the Eels battle on. That's not the case with the Storm who have plenty of depth and are more system-orientated; when Brandon's absent, they role out another forward off their production line and slip Cameron Smith into his home at dummy half.

What to watch for tahi: What’s the impact of Dylan Brown’s absence for Parramatta Eels?

What to watch for rua: Which Kiwis halves will have the best finish to the season?

What to watch for toru: Who is the next Kiwis specialist hooker?

The Grubber

The Roosters are flexing their depth as well with how they rotate players and provide opportunities. There will be a lot of attention on Aotearoa legend Sonny Bill Williams, but I'm paying attention to their development of #KiwiNRL lads...

Isaac Liu (Otahuhu Leopards)

Started last six games in middle, 50+ minutes in all six games. 5-1 record.

Sitili Tupouniua (Marist Saints)

Started round 11 on edge, round 12 at centre, then last four games on edge. 80mins in every game, same 5-1 record.

Poasa Fa'amausili (Glenora Bears)

Off the bench for last six games, less than 20mins in two games then 25+ miuntes for next four games, same 5-1 record.

For those who believe in the Roosters salary cap sombrero; Joseph Manu, Poasa Fa'amausili and Sitili Tupouniua all played in their 2016 Under 20s Championship team. Also in that team were Victor Radley and Nat Butcher.

Brisbane Broncos are a mess and low key they are 16th (last) in total run metres, but Jordan Riki is being eased into NRL footy nicely. Riki played 25mins on debut, then 29mins and then 32mins on the weekend vs Roosters, stepping into left edge in each game.

Steven Marsters has back to back games at right centre to start his career with Rabbitohs. Marsters had a try (+ linebreak) on debut, then a try assist vs Eels on the weekend.

Jesse Bromwich being Jesse Bromwich vs Sea Eagles:

64mins, 19 runs for 176m @8.63m/run, 1 offload, 28 tackles @ 96.6%.

Sharks big bopper Braden Hamlin-Uele loves a try and jacking up super-duper efficiency:

49mins, 1 try, 9 runs for 110m @ 12.22m/run, 4tb, 1 offload, 23 tackles @ 95.8%.

And despite Shaun Johnson not playing, Briton Nikora still managed a try in his return to the Sharks right edge:

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Peace and love.