The 2023 NRL Grand Final between Penrith Panthers and Brisbane Broncos will feature a Kiwi-NRL presence that stretches from the Hokianga down to Christchurch. Panthers already have back to back NRL championships with their Aotearoa Kiwis props James Fisher-Harris (Kohukohu) and Moses Leota (Auckland) starting in both GF wins. Scott Sorenson's Aotearoa Kiwis mana will also be on show and he is likely to line up against Hornby junior Jordan Riki in a battle for Aotearoa Kiwis edge forward selection.

Broncos also have Jesse Arthars (East Coast Bays) on the wing. Arthars has been on the NZRL radar since at least 2016 when he featured in the Taurahere camp and after an exceptional season, Arthars is pushing for Aotearoa Kiwis squad selection. While there is plenty of wing depth on offer for Aotearoa (Jordan Rapana, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Jamayne Isaako), Kiwis coach Michael Maguire could bring Arthars into the mix to catch the Aotearoa Kiwis vibe.

The Aotearoa 'A' squad is where Arthars will probably end up given the competitive depth in Aotearoa rugby league. Either way, expect Arthars to be rewarded for a strong season on the wing for Broncos in which he has kept veteran Corey Oates and Kiwi-NRL youngster Deine Mariner (Marist) out of their top-17. It's been a long journey for Arthars who left Gold Coast to enter the Storm system before spending time with Rabbitohs and Titans. Then came a move to Broncos which featured a loan-deal with NZ Warriors and despite ample depth throughout the Broncos system, Arthars has locked in a spot on the wing.

While Arthars has slowly built towards this peak, Riki was a standout prospect in Aotearoa with Hornby, St Thomas of Canterbury College, Canterbury/Southern Zone and NZRL representative honours. Broncos won the recruitment battle for Riki and after finishing school in Christchurch he quickly progressed through the Broncos to make his debut in 2019.

Riki's mana is evident in his role for Broncos. While he has found a home at edge forward, Riki played on the wing for a couple games in Queensland Cup and even featured at prop in a few NZRL rep teams. Riki doesn't jack up massive stats, he provides energy and vigour for Broncos which is most evident in defensive efforts. Whether it's kick-chase, covering inside channels or a timely monster tackle; Riki epitomises Aotearoa Kiwis mana.

As do Fisher-Harris and Leota. Some Aotearoa Kiwis veterans are out suspended, injured or not in great form and this could see the Panthers props named to start together for Aotearoa Kiwis. Like Riki, Fisher-Harris and Leota lead their team for physicality which helps them win the battle of the middle in nearly every game they play. Broncos have similar size, power and general vigour in their middle forwards, which will amplify how important Fisher-Harris and Leota are.

Few teams have been able to handle the Broncos power and the only way to defeat such a vibrant Broncos team is to dominate their forward pack. Few teams have the players to even try that this season and yet the Panthers props not only have the ability to dominate their opposition, they have done it twice in Grand Finals previously.

Panthers and Broncos also have layers of Kiwi-NRL funk. The best Kiwi-NRL youngsters in the Panthers system are Daeon Amituanai (Whiti Te Ra) and Preston Riki who is from the Hokianga region like Fisher-Harris. Amituanai is a winger and Riki is mainly an edge forward who can play through the middle, both have been stashed in NSW Cup since leaving NZ Warriors as they get the slow-cook Panthers treatment.

Broncos have a similar development process with Mariner and Xavier Willison (Waicoa-Bay) capable of being top-17 players for most NRL teams. They will continue to get more opportunities next season and could feature in the Aotearoa A squad given the talent they have already displayed in the NRL. Mariner is eligibile for Samoa though and if available he could opt to represent Samoa for the next few years, while Willison is likely to play for Cook Islands again.

The presence of another Hornby junior Caius Fa'atili in the Broncos system is also intriguing. Fa'atili followed the same path as Riki and despite not quite cracking the wider Broncos mixer just yet, Fa'atili has NRL scope with a similar middle forward package as Willison. Fa'atili is quietly churning out consistent mahi for Wynnum in Queensland Cup and Broncos also have Nathaniel Tangimataiti (Ellerslie) as a notable Kiwi-NRL junior working his way up the ranks with Broncos/Wynnum.

Panthers and Broncos sit on their own tier this season as the best teams in the NRL by a hefty margin. It shouldn't surprise anyone that both teams share the same development process of slowly brewing high quality Kiwi-NRL juniors, investing in their growth from juniors in Aotearoa to hearty NRL players. Both teams love talent from Aotearoa's regions as well with Broncos snaring Riki and Fa'atili from Christchurch, while nifty scouting brought Willison to Broncos from Waikato.

Panthers have a special connection with Northland. Fisher-Harris and Riki were both born in Rawenne, before Fisher-Harris left for Panthers via his footy in Whangarei and Riki moved down to Auckland. Even though Panthers signed Riki and Amituanai from NZ Warriors when they were playing for Redcliffe, they represent regional footy.

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