Jensen Taumoepeau became the seventh Kiwi-NRL debutant of 2026 playing on the wing for Gold Coast Titans in their loss vs Sydney Roosters.

Alekolasimi Jones became the sixth Kiwi-NRL debut of 2026 when he came off the bench for Bulldogs in their loss vs Cowboys.

Antonio Verhoeven became the fourth Kiwi-NRL debutant of 2026 and added to Greymouth's illustrious rugby league history when he came off the extended bench to play on the left wing for Brisbane Broncos in their win vs Gold Coast Titans.

Te Hurinui Apanui Twidle became the fourth Kiwi-NRL debutant of the 2026 NRL season in a close loss for Parramatta Eels against Wests Tigers.

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.