Last year Aotearoa Kiwis won the Pacific Championships with a strong squad full of top-tier talent and while the cultural diversity of New Zealand ensures that Kiwi-NRL juniors boost depth for Cook Islands, Samoa and Tonga, there is plenty of talent on the rise for everyone's development systems.

The only player from the 2026 Pacific Championships final who has had a notable dip this season is Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. Patchy NRL form across a couple positions and time out of the NRL mean that Nicoll-Klokstad isn't in the top-tier right now, but that could change quickly if he returns to his best footy soon.

Nicoll-Klokstad has plenty of Aotearoa mana so he will be given every opportunity to make his case. The Kiwis have Kalyn Ponga and Keano Kini as their best fullbacks in the mixer, while Taine Tuaupiki has overtaken Nicoll-Klokstad at Warriors and is on the rise as a development player for Kiwis.

Fullback

Kalyn Ponga (2010 NZ U13 Golf Champion), Keano Kini (Northcote), Taine Tuaupiki (Ngaruawahia)

Jamayne Isaako and Casey McLean were the wingers last year. Isaako will keep that spot and is the best goal-kicker for Kiwis. McLean will shift to centre were he is likely to partner Matthew Timoko and Ronaldo Mulitalo's return from injury puts him back in the mix. Isaako/Mulitalo is the best wing duo depending on Dallin Watene-Zelezniak's eligibility as he was leaning towards Tonga a few years after giving great service to Aotearoa.

Watene-Zelezniak's form has him in a competitive battle with Isaako and Mulitalo. These three would be an excellent trio to work through a tough World Cup and Josiah Karapani was called into to the Kiwis squad during the Pacific Championships last year. Karapani didn't play so he could still opt to play for Samoa but he seemed to choose the Kiwis path last year and he's competing with Will Warbrick for these depth spots.

Wing

Jamayne Isaako (Eastern Eagles), Ronaldo Mulitalo (Ellerslie), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (College Old Boys Hamilton, Josiah Karapni (Otahuhu), Will Warbrick (Ngongotaha)

Sebastian Kris has already played for Kiwis is another useful squad member for a tournament as he can cover most backline positions at a high level. Ali Leiataua is also a factor as he is in the best phase of his career and as he is also eligible for Samoa, Kiwis may be eager to get Leiataua on the Kiwis path as soo as possible

Leiataua was part of the NZ-A group in 2025 along with Tuaupiki, Zach Dockar-Clay, Pasami Saulo, Wiremu Greig, Jacob Laban, Kalani Going, Trey Mooney and Tanner Stowers-Smith who feature in this mixer as development players. This is especially funky for the young Warriors trio who all have links to Samoa and Leiataua is the closest to game time for Kiwis.

Mawene Hiroti is also in the wider mix as a versatile outside back. Like Kris, Hiroti can play fullback, wing and centre. The depth will need to be tested to reach Hiroti though and Kiwis should have three strong options to play centre.

Centre

Casey McLean (Sydney), Matthew Timoko (Ellerslie), Sebastian Kris (Canberra), Ali Leiataua (Papatoetoe), Mawene Hiroti (Western Suburbs New Plymouth)

Aotearoa suddenly has two halfbacks in the NRL with Dylan Brown switching halves positions in his move to Knights. The best Kiwis combo is still Hughes/Brown though, then there are Kodi Nikorima and Te Maire Martin offering depth through the World Cup. Kiwis have never been in this position before where they have four halves who have plenty of Aotearoa experience and are playing well in NRL.

Half

Jahrome Hughes (Harbour City), Dylan Brown (Hikurangi), Te Maire Martin (Turangawaewae), Kodi Nikorima (Burnham)

Phoenix Crossland and Jeremy Marshall-King will share the dummy half duties for Kiwis. Crossland has excelled as the leading hooker for Aotearoa in recent years and Marshall-King is good enough to start ahead of Crossland which is amplified by Crossland's ability to play in the halves and small forward.

Brandon Smith could be a factor if he stays healthy but he's played eight NRL games in the last season and a bit. Kiwis have called upon Trent Toelau and Zach Dockar-Clay as depth hookers in the last two Pacific Championships, with both of them also offering halves depth for a tournament.

Hooker

Phoenix Crossland (Hearty West Coast roots), Jeremy Marshall-King (Whakatane), Brandon Smith (Waiheke Rams), Zach Dockar-Clay (Bell Block), Trent Toelau (Melbourne)

Aotearoa has five of the best middle forwards in the NRL with Erin Clark rising to join Naufahu Whyte and the three legends. Xavier Willison made his debut last year and overtook Griffin Neame and Leo Thompson in the process, both of whom have responded well this season in the NRL.

Willison continues to get game time at edge forward for Broncos and this will be handy for Aotearoa as he can cover both roles as a bench forward. That's eight high quality forwards in this bracket, while edge forwards Isaiah Papali'i and Scott Sorenson can also dabble in middle mahi.

Papali'i and Briton Nikora started as edge forwards in the Pac Champs final last year. Jordan Riki debuted for Aotearoa in 2024 but didn't feature last year and he is probably ranked ahead of Sorenson as edge forwards. Jacob Laban is the best emerging edge forward for Kiwis and he could sneak into the World Cup squad if a spot opens up.

Middle

James Fisher-Harris (Hokianga), Joseph Tapine (Harbour City), Moses Leota (Mt Albert), Naufahu Whyte (Bay Roskill), Erin Clark (Manurewa), Xavier Willison (Whatawhata), Griffin Neame (Suburbs RL Greymouth), Leo Thompson (Napier Boys High School)

Edge

Isaiah Papali'i (Te Atatu), Briton Nikora (Tauranga), Jordan Riki (Hornby), Scott Sorenson (Sydney), Jacob Laban (Te Aroha)

Two deep cuts for the backline are Hayze Perham (Pikiao) and Adam Pompey (Tuakau).

Forwards who could plug holes in no order:

Trey Mooney (Sydney), Pasami Saulo (Newcastle), Tanner Stowers-Smith (Halswell), Preston Riki (Hokianga), Wiremu Greig (Whangarei), Kalani Going (Mid-Northern), Aublix Tawha (Turangawaewae).

Kiwi-NRL debutants this year

Next up debuts

Mason Barber: Cowboys | fullback/centre | Kaikohe
John Fineanganofo: Dolphins | hooker/small forward | Auckland Grammar School | Tonga
Kayliss Fatialofa: Warriors | edge forward | Otara | Samoa
Makaia Tafua: Warriors | hooker | Linwood | Samoa
Patrick Kailahi: Dolphins | middle forward | Hamilton Boys High School | Tonga

More deep cuts

Sosaia Alatini: Bulldogs | centre/edge forward | Hornby | Tonga
Jackson Stewart: Roosters | centre/fullback | Hornby
Adaquix-Jeramiah Watts-Luke | Dolphins | fullback | Ellerslie
Jeremiah Lemana: Warriors | centre/fullback | Mt Albert | Samoa
Jason Salalilo: Warriors | middle/edge forward | Papanui | Samoa
D'Jazirhae Pua'avase: Sea Eagles | middle forward | Manurewa
K-Ci Newton-Whare: Storm | middle forward | Riccarton
Charleston Te Rore: Roosters | middle forward | Otara
Marley Igasan: Broncos | middle forward | Otumoetai
Reweti Ngarimu: Cowboys | edge forward | Scots College
Tamakaimoana Whareaorere | middle forward | Te Puke

Growing halves depth

Te Hurinui Twidle: NSW Cup
Haami Loza: Panthers | Mangere East | NSW Cup
Tokoaitua Owen: Broncos | Ngongotaha | NRLQ
Bronson Reuben: Bulldogs | Kaiapoi | Jersey Flegg Cup
Harry Inch: Warriors | Nelson College | Jersey Flegg Cup
Jordan Hotere: Wynnum | Hibiscus Coast | Mal Meninga Cup

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