Francis Manuleleua is the third Kiwi-NRL debutant of 2026 after coming off the bench for Newcastle Knights in their loss vs New Zealand Warriors.

The first round of NRL footy in 2026 has delivered two Kiwi-NRL debuts with Setu Tu and Siale Faeamani on the wings for Dragons and Titans respectively.

The quality and quantity of Kiwi-NRL juniors in Australia system increases every year, with a far more regions around Aotearoa represented by the young men on the rise.

The best thing Australian NRL media does is share the train and trial contract lists for each team, which the Niche Cache then puts under the Kiwi-NRL microscope

NRL Finals start this weekend and every team involved has a Kiwi-NRL junior named, while Bulldogs are the only team who have named less than three players with links to Aotearoa.

Eddie Ieremia-Toeava made his NRL debut for NZ Warriors in the loss to Dolphins and he is the 13th Kiwi-NRL junior to debut this season.

The Kiwi-NRL umbrella includes all those who played junior footy in Aotearoa and many of them are eligible for Samoa or Tonga, so here are the best emerging players who come from Aotearoa but seem likely to represent Samoa or Tonga in international rugby league.

Chris Vea'ila took the tally to 12 Kiwi-NRL debuts in 2025 playing at right centre for Cronulla Sharks in their win vs Sydney Roosters.

Tevita Naufahu was the 11th Kiwi-NRL debutant of 2025 when he played on the wing for Dolphins vs Sharks and he's backed it up with another appearance in the win vs Cowboys.

There have been 10 Kiwi-NRL debutants in 18 rounds of NRL footy and Temple Kalepo is the latest addition after playing 41 minutes for North Queensland Cowboys in their loss to Melbourne Storm.

Turangawaewae junior Aublix Tawha added himself to the list of 2025 Kiwi-NRL debutants with a hearty stint coming off the bench for Dolphins in their loss to Knights.

Kiwi-NRL juniors from Aotearoa continue to simmer their way through reserve grade footy in Queensland and New South Wales with a bunch of them on the cusp of NRL debuts.

Tukimihia Simpkins made his return to NRL footy with Gold Coast Titans in their win vs Manly Sea Eagles and the hearty Pikiao junior from Rotorua seems like the type of forward that coach Des Hasler would love.

Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana became the eighth Kiwi-NRL debutant of 2025 after coming off the bench for Newcastle Knights in their win over Manly Sea Eagles.

Otara's Benaiah Ioelu became the seventh Kiwi-NRL debut of 2025 as he started at hooker for Sydney Roosters in their win vs Cronulla Sharks.

Tanner Stowers-Smith became the sixth Kiwi-NRL debutant in the 2025 NRL season after the Halswell junior from Christchurch got 25 minutes of action for New Zealand Warriors vs Dolphins.