Aotearoa might need a centre for the World Cup and Joseph Manu might be that guy. Manu is one of many Kiwis contenders looking to push their case, there's also Sosaia Feki's return to Auckland and Elijah Taylor sliding to the Tigers edge.
Cronulla Sharks are going to send Wade Graham flying at Mason Lino and the Warriors halfback didn't respond too well under the pump last week. That's just one talking point ahead of an enticing contest at Mt Smart on Friday night.
Morgan & Munster is a little series on two of my favourite rugby league players. Starting with Michael Morgan, the North Queensland Cowboys halfback who has already etched himself in history and has many more years of greatness ahead of him.
Brandon Smith and and Jahrome Hughes will stay with Melbourne Storm for the rest of this decade, at least.
David Kidwell must have Nelson Asofa-Solomona's name already jotted down along with a few others. He's got some funky decisions to make at centre and who he rolls with to replace Jesse Bromwich.
Aotearoa Warriors fans get upset when their team doesn't try hard, doesn't play with enthusiasm and desire. Up in Townsville against the Cowboys they oozed that good stuff. Ok cool, but...
Don't buzz about the Warriors halves combo or their spine as it's the forwards who have been mediocre and they've gotta take on one of the best forward packs in the NRL, up in Townsville.
Tuimoala Lolohea's building a nice combo with Luke Brooks and the cookie's crumbling Matt McIlwrick's way at Wests Tigers, Gold Coast are rollin' out their beastly #KiwiNRL bench trio and Jamayne Isaako is back at fullback for Brisbane Broncos.
Mason Lino has been picked to play halfback for the Warriors this weekend. Here's hoping Lino is given the keys to the Ferrari, I mean Corolla and plays like a typical halfback to free up Kieran Foran ... who has been a passenger in that Corolla this season.
Kodi NIkorima has re-signed with Brisbane Broncos, after re-signing for a few more years, last year. Confusing huh?
Shaun Johnson's knee injury opens up a Kiwis halves spot and it could come down to Te Maire Martin vs Benji Marshall, it depends on what Wayne Bennett's thinking as Broncos coach though.
Corey Harawira-Naera and James Fisher-Harris took the field on Aotearoa soil for Penrith Panthers, reppin' Northland. Then Canterbury's Jamayne Isaako made his #KiwiNRL debut at fullback for Brisbane Broncos, they certainly weren't the only non-Aucklanders from Friday and Saturday's fixtures.
A few specific aspects of the Warriors loss to Penrith caught the Diggity Doc's eye and could be reason to keep trucking on the Warriors wagon as they chase a sneaky top-eight spot.
Some would say the Warriors season is over with Shaun Johnson out thanks to a bung knee. Johnson got out-gunned by Nathan Cleary on Friday night though, maybe things could be getting funky with Kieran Foran taking over?
Jamayne Isaako has been named on the wing for Brisbane Broncos this week, so Canterbury could have an almighty #KiwiNRL weekend with Isaako joining Fa'amanu Brown and Matt McIlwrick in Chch's #KiwiNRL crew
Sione Katoa's got a brief window in the NRL for Penrith Panthers while Peter Wallace is injured. He's already been re-signed though so he ain't got no worries.
Penrith Panthers head to Manu Vatuvei stadium to take on the Warriors - remember when Penrith smoked the Warriors in that second half demolition?
Sione Katoa could get more game time for Penrith, Raymond Faitala-Mariner's starting for the Doggies and Melbourne's rolling out their full #KiwiNRL gang.
Melbourne Storm have re-signed Nelson Asofa-Solomona and they're bringing in Sam Kasiano next season as well. That's going to be ruthlessly wonderful.
Aotearoa Warriors have a few contracts to suss out and while they could be in the market for a big ol' signing, they're pretty well stocked as it is.