Updating The 2024 Aotearoa Kiwis Mixer
The 2024 Aotearoa Kiwis mixer needs an update after injuries to Brandon Smith and Dylan Brown, both of whom were penciled in as top-17 players for New Zealand. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck also dipped out of the Aotearoa selection pool and this was to be expected as Tuivasa-Sheck was in a battle for a starting role in the backline, having given almost a decade of service to Aotearoa.
Keep in mind that Aotearoa Kiwis won a bunch of Tests without Tuivasa-Sheck during his stint in rugby union, as well as winning without any players from NZ Warriors. Aotearoa Kiwis had Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad as the only NZ Warriors player in their dominant mahi last year and despite the rise of Keano Kini, Nicoll-Klokstad is still the leading option at fullback.
Marata Niukore is the other NZ Warriors player who could earn Aotearoa Kiwis selection as a versatile, rugged forward. Perhaps Ali Leiataua gets a nod of Aotearoa approval to cover outside back positions and along with edge forward Jacob Laban, they could be development options in a wider Aotearoa Kiwis squad.
Both are eligible for Samoa and despite opting to play for NZ-A last year, they could roll with an overseas tour for Samoa instead of being in a wider Aotearoa Kiwis squad. The same goes for Deine Mariner, who could have commanded a starting centre role for Aotearoa Kiwis with sublime form but like the Broncos, Mariner's mahi late in the season didn't quite hit that mark.
Jack Howarth on the flipside has been in fabulous form for Storm and assuming that Joseph Manu departs rugby league at the end of the NRL season, Howarth is the best option to partner Matthew Timoko as Aotearoa Kiwis centres. That would also require Howarth to ride with Aotearoa Kiwis ahead of Queensland/Australia as someone who played for NZ-A last year and this is still the most interesting eligibility case of 2024.
That's followed by Kayal Iro who is the most notable NRL player born and raised in the Cook Islands. Iro has whanau connections to Aotearoa Kiwis, similar connections which has seen the likes of Scott Sorenson and Joe Chan (NZ-A) dabbling in Aotearoa Kiwis footy. Add in Iro spending time as a teenager in Auckland where he went to Mt Albert Grammar and played for Mt Albert, for another outside back with funky eligibility options.
Sebastian Kris has already played for Aotearoa Kiwis and the Raiders centre would be a handy squad member. Kris can cover all outside back positions and has sneaky mana in his desire to always represent Aotearoa despite being born and raised in Australia. Such dedication to Aotearoa is noteworthy which makes Kris an ideal squad member.
Outside Backs
Fullbacks: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Keano Kini
Wingers: Jamayne Isaako, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Will Warbrick
Centres: Matthew Timoko, Jack Howarth, Sebastian Kris, Kayal Iro, Deine Mariner, Ali Leiataua
Kieran Foran also loves to represent Aotearoa and he is the best option to play in the halves alongside Jahrome Hughes. Foran covered dummy half last season and his passion for Aotearoa Kiwis footy ensured that he excelled in that role, which along with typically classy mahi for Titans, makes him a reliable starting halves option.
There could be space for Shaun Johnson to bow out with an Aotearoa Kiwis parade, although Foran has been in better form all season. Carrying Foran and Johnson would provide Aotearoa Kiwis with experienced halves cover, increasing their chances of winning if there is an injury or suspension.
Development play-making options are led by Aranui junior Daejarn Asi who is from Christchurch and has previously represented Samoa. Asi has consistently flexed his left-footed kicking game for Eels this season in an extended opportunity as a starting half, while also playing centre and fullback for Eels in NRL/NSW Cup.
Chanel Harris-Tavita has a similar skillset and he seems likely to stick with Samoa. Along with Howarth, Benjamin Te Kura and Trey Mooney who all played for NZ-A as Queensland/New South Wales Under 19 representatives, play-makers Kaeo Weekes, Ethan Strange and Phoenix Crossland have decisions to make about their representative futures.
All three have played junior footy for New South Wales and Crossland is the only lad who spent time in Aotearoa as a youngster. Aotearoa Kiwis will need to ease a young play-maker into international footy to play behind the Hughes/Brown combo while Foran and Johnson end their careers, so it will be interesting to see which youngster wants to take this opportunity.
The absence of Smith in the dummy half rotation could increase the need for versatility and this could benefit someone like Crossland who has covered halves/hooker in the NRL. This also boosts the case of Kodi Nikorima who is well positioned to add to the Dolphins combo with Jeremy Marshall-King. Without Smith, the best dummy half rotation for Aotearoa Kiwis is Marshall-King starting and Nikorima coming off the bench where he can also plug holes in the backline if required.
Danny Levi also deserves a nod here as he has settled into a consistent groove for Raiders. Aotearoa Kiwis need to develop youngsters for each international window and there should be space in the wider squad to ease emerging talent into Aotearoa Kiwis, yet there is also urgency in rolling out the best possible team. This amplifies the need for lads like Nikorima and Levi, both of whom have Aotearoa Kiwis experience and are mature NRL players.
The forward pack is still fairly settled. There doesn't need to be any changes to the team who beat Australia last year while Marata Niukore, Scott Sorenson, Naufahu Whyte, Xavier Willison, Alec MacDonald, Jordan Riki, Joe Chan and Laban the best contenders to fill out the squad. Niukore and Sorenson have played for Aotearoa Kiwis before, Whyte and Willison are highly likely to debut this year, with the others as squad members gaining experience
Forwards vs Australia
Middles: James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota, Joseph Tapine
Edges: Isaiah Papali'i, Briton Nikora
Bench: Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Griffin Neame, Leo Thompson
18th-man: Naufahu Whyte
2024 Forward Mixer
Middles: Xavier Willison, Alec MacDonald
Middle/Edge: Marata Niukore, Scott Sorenson, Joe Chan
Edges: Jordan Riki, Jacob Laban
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