2021 Battle of Aotearoa: Introducing Tamaki Makaurau & Team Aotearoa
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Aotearoa has always dabbled in enjoying State of Origin. Although we all know that while Australia believes this is the highest level of rugby league available, there is more to the rugby league world than Australia and the State of Origin window doesn't do a whole lot for anyone else. Which is why the Battle of Aotearoa seed was planted by the Niche Cache a few years back and with the Kiwi-NRL takeover hitting greater heights, the need for an epic clash within Aotearoa rugby league increases.
Two teams of Kiwi-NRL talent compete in the Battle of Aotearoa. One consists of players from Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) and the other is made up of players from around Aotearoa. The Team Aotearoa angle is far more relevant these days as we are seeing players from regional centres and other main cities apart from Auckland produce more NRL players than ever. Take Northland for example which has James Fisher-Harris, Dylan Brown, Corey Harawira-Naera, Caleb Aekins and Wiremu Greig as younger players who have entered the NRL over the last five years or so.
NRL clubs are currently investing in scouting talent from all corners of Aotearoa. The Kiwi-NRL idea is always important here as I'm not forecasting an Aotearoa Kiwis team, this is merely a collection of players who have either opted to represent Aotearoa and/or played their junior footy in Aotearoa. Every individual is different, with a different connection to their heritage so their decisions can never be questioned as to which country they want to represent. We can celebrate their junior clubs within Aotearoa and the folk from Aotearoa who helped these players on their journey.
I'd also suggest that we are on the cusp of massive Kiwi-NRL numbers and the coming years will see these teams change greatly - as they already have done. The last Battle of Aotearoa yarn from 2019 has previous teams that I selected and sliding back through Team Aotearoa and Tamaki Makaurau teams shows how quickly the vibe has changed. I've stayed away from going deep into the mangroves here to outline all the young talent that is on the rise and if you follow the Kiwi-NRL yarns you'll know that there are plenty of youngsters pushing for Battle of Aotearoa selection.
These are all purely my opinion and vibe. Any selections you don't agree with should spark thoughts about the Kiwi-NRL depth and celebration of Aotearoa rugby league so it's all good. I have tried to stick to players who have been busy in 2021, playing decent footy and the only selection that was niggly was Adam Pompey who is from Tuakau and went to Wesley College - south of Auckland.
Pompey was starting at centre for Tamaki Makaurau, but I couldn't chuck him in that Auckland bucket with the Counties Manukau region not quite Auckland enough. That's a bummer for Pompey as I couldn't select him ahead of Joseph Manu and Morgan Harper in Team Aotearoa, although this is a beautiful thing for Waikato as all three fall into the wider Waikato bucket.
Five players for each team have also been named - most are younger players on the rise.
Tamaki Makaurau
Fullback: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (East Tamaki Rugby).
Wings: Ken Maumalo (Papatoetoe Panthers), Starford Toa (Mt Wellington Warriors).
Centres: Connelly Lemuelu (Papatoetoe Rugby), Jesse Arthars (East Coast Bays Barracudas).
Halves: Shaun Johnson (Hibiscus Coast Raiders), Chanel Harris-Tavita (Pakuranga Jaguars).
Middles: Siosiua Taukeiaho (Otara Scorpions), Jason Taumalolo (Papakura Sea Eagles/Otahuhu Leopards), Jesse Bromwich (Manurewa Marlins).
Edges: Isaiah Papalii (Te Atatu Roosters), Kenny Bromwich (Manurewa Marlins).
Hooker: Brandon Smith (Waiheke Rams).
Bench: Isaac Liu (Otahuhu Leopards), Marata Niukore (Mangere East Hawks), Ben Murdoch-Masila (Otahuhu Leopards), Leeson Ah Mau (Papatoetoe Panthers).
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad - Sitili Tupouniua - Asu Kepaoa- Braden Hamlin-Uele - Toafofoa Sipley
Team Aotearoa
Fullback: Caleb Aekins (Hikurangi Stags).
Wings: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Hamilton), Jamayne Isaako (Aranui Eagles).
Centres: Joseph Manu (Tokoroa High School), Morgan Harper (Ngaruawahia Panthers).
Halves: Dylan Brown (Hikurangi Stags), Jahrome Hughes (Harbour City Eagles).
Middles: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Rotorua), James Fisher-Harris (Whangarei Marist), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Upper Hutt Tigers).
Edges: Tohu Harris (Tamatea Rugby), Kevin Proctor (Te Kuiti).
Hooker: Kodi Nikorima (Palmerston North).
Bench: Benji Marshall (Whakatane), Joseph Tapine (Harbour City Eagles), Jordan Riki (Hornby Panthers), Corey Harawira-Naera (Otaua Valley Warriors)
Briton Nikora - Adam Pompey - Wiremu Greig - Mawene Hiroti - Bailey Simonsson
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