Aotearoa Kiwis continue to lay down solid foundations after defeating Tonga 26-6 and the elevated level of Test footy puts Joseph Manu's performance in a whole different realm. Manu was part of a slick Aotearoa performance in which everyone from Kiwis veterans to debutants stepped up to international rugby league mana, while there is a splash of intrigue as to what Tonga is up to.

Imagine if some bloke had 32 runs for 404m in State of Origin, leading his state to victory? Aussies would be frothing all over themselves to celebrate this lad as some kind of rugby league Saiyan. Manu's first start at fullback for Aotearoa was legendary and as Manu sat behind Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in the Aotearoa fullback ranks prior to the pandemic, Manu's mahi highlights the strength of Aotearoa rugby league as he stamped his mana all over the numero tahi jersey.

As of this morning, NRL.com has Manu's official tally at 404m. Manu has played two games at fullback this season, first making folks forget about James Tedesco in a Roosters loss to Raiders and now making folks forget about Tuivasa-Sheck. Manu had 33 runs vs Raiders and 32 runs vs Tonga, yet Manu produced 100 more metres in the Test arena.

Manu may have just churned out the best performance in a Kiwis jersey ever. Having covered that Raiders vs Roosters clash a few weeks ago, there were similarities in Manu's mahi as he was always around the footy. That means Manu was out wide when the Kiwis shifted to their edges and Manu would also appear at first receiver - not to shuffle the ball along but to run it straight.

Manu also had 7 Dummy Half Runs for 108m @ 15.42m/run.

Combine that with Brandon Smith's 6 DHR for 74m @ 12.33m/run, along with equally efficient performances from the rest of the team for the 'down hill Kiwis'. Tonga's strength is their forward pack and general running mahi, however this is where Aotearoa won the game as the Kiwis rolled down field with ease.

We don't need to dive into everyone's running stats, but everyone hovered around the 10m/run mark. Joseph Tapine took his NRL form into this Test with 16 runs for 162m @ 10.12m/run as the leader of the forward pack and while the other forwards lacked the output of Tapine, they were all as dynamic, powerful and efficient. Most of the Kiwis forward pack are certified Test players and the only debutant in the forwards was Moses Leota, who emerged as a bonus eligibility selection and tapped into the Aotearoa Matariki vibes for 32mins of bonkers running.

Leota replaced Jesse Bromwich after 21mins and channeled all his mana into one 32:05mins stint with 11 runs for 126m @ 11.45m/run. This felt notable because Leota and fellow bonus selection Ronaldo Mulitalo laid everything out for Aotearoa, buying into Aotearoa Kiwis mana and representing their folks in glorious fashion. Everyone knows the Leota/Mulitalo yarn by now and while Otahuhu rugby junior Murray Taulagi may have snuck under the radar to enter Queensland's squad, all we can judge Leota and Mulitalo on are their performances for Aotearoa; their mana.

Leota was fantastic in a strong Kiwis forward pack, giving Aotearoa three low key Panthers forwards with James Fisher-Harris and Leota joined by Scott Sorenson in the squad. Mulitalo caught the Kiwis vibe quickly, representing Otara to the fullest and embracing everything Aotearoa Kiwis. All Aotearoa rugby league fans want is folks who want to represent Aotearoa and among a hearty group of Maori, Pakeha and Polynesian Kiwis, Leota and Mulitalo were a pleasure to watch.

What' are best way to slow Tonga down? Control the game and good defence.

Jahrome Hughes did most of the kicking with 13 kicks, while Dylan Brown had 3 kicks and Manu had 4 kicks. Hughes and Brown provide Aotearoa with nimble running, good distribution and quality kicking. Both are as good running the footy as they are passing and kicking, offering a rugby league trinity skillset that few halves possess.

Aotearoa can continue to improve with their defence, although this Test serves as a strong platform for the World Cup. Tapine racked up 36 tackles @ 97.3 percent efficiency, Fisher-Harris made 26 tackles @ 100 percent and Isaiah Papali'i made 35 tackles @ 97 percent. Brown made 27 tackles @ 100 percent and Marata Niukore made 10 tackles @ 100 percent at centre, both on international debut. Blokes will always miss tackles against quality opposition, yet Aotearoa were able to cruise down field with the footy and limit the momentum Tonga could gain through their robust running. When Tonga did generate momentum, Aotearoa found a way to slow the ruck down or scramble to cover space out wide.

This specific Aotearoa Kiwis team feels like the strongest combination of 17 players - Briton Nikora was energetic in his 18mins late in the game. Manu could be one of the best fullbacks in the world. Mulitalo and Jordan Rapana bounce around every where, providing expert finishing. Niukore is a monster at centre and haka leader Peta Hiku is class. Jahrome Hughes and Brown are the best halves combo. Let alone the forward pack.

Any tweaks made to this team will be based on player availability (injuries etc). Aotearoa has enough depth to absorb any changes and that depth is evident in the squad for this Test as well as someone like Jared Waerea-Hargreaves being unavailable. A full strength Aotearoa Kiwis team similar to this team that won last night, could be a dominant force at a World Cup.

The 2017 World Cup was horrible and somehow it all went down on Aotearoa soil. Michael Maguire took over after that World Cup and Aotearoa lost to England in Denver, before grabbing a win over Australia. Late in 2018 Aotearoa toured England, losing the first two games before winning the third. Aotearoa then defeated Tonga in 2019, lost to Australia and enjoyed two wins over Great Britain to round off that year.

Since the start of 2019, Aotearoa is 4-1.

Tonga has now lost their last two games against Aotearoa, both by 20 points. Tonga has wins over Australia and Great Britain between the losses to Aotearoa. Tonga will be better when Super League players are available for selection, as well as having coach Kristian Woolf around the tokos. They will need to sort out better play-making plans and align with international footy where greater intensity requires better game management. This Test shows Tonga what they are working towards and this will ensure their presence as a major World Cup factor.

Under coach Maguire, Aotearoa Kiwis already had foundations brewing prior to the pandemic. Since then the Kiwi-NRL mahi has reached greater heights and from last night's performance there also appears to be an amplification of Aotearoa Kiwis mana, or what representing Aotearoa Kiwis means to players and the rugby league community. Aotearoa Kiwis are simmering and that will result in further growth of rugby league in Aotearoa.

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