#KiwiNRL Encyclopedia: Round 25
You know when the #KiwiNRL takeover is for really, really real when young bucks like Josh Aloiai, James Fisher-Harris and Nelson Asofa-Solomona are stamping their mark on the NRL.
You know when the #KiwiNRL takeover is for really, really real when young bucks like Josh Aloiai, James Fisher-Harris and Nelson Asofa-Solomona are stamping their mark on the NRL.
The NRL is fluffing around with their salary cap and will have to deal with a variety of complaints from the RLPA, so let's take a moment to appreciate how Jim Doyle is keeping the Warriors in the mix for big and small money signings.
Injuries could pave the way for Kodi Nikorima to get a starting halves role for Aotearoa come World Cup time. Hopefully ol' mate Shaun Johnson's got a few games to his name prior to the World Cup, 'cos a Johnson/Nikorima combo is totes excites.
Kieran Foran's forever injured and is moving to the Bulldogs, a club that is currently floating up the creek without a paddle, or motor, or life-jackets.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck had his best statistical game last week, Ata Hingano's giving us a glimpse into nek season and we may see Tevita Satae do a bit more against the Bunnies.
Y'all ready for a crazy weekend of #KiwiNRL footy? Jordan Rapana and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will be out to impress, Tohu Harris might return from injury, Te Maire Martin will return from injury and Adam Blair's offloading for fun.
There could be an ownership change of Aotearoa Warriors, just don't let it fool you about where the changes are coming from.
Benji Marshall started the #KiwiNRL takeover back in the day, now he's re-uppin' with Wests Tigers where we could see #KiwiNRL flavour drown out the Aussies.
Tuimoala Lolohea and Ata Hingano could give Tonga a little play-making spice, to go with a forward pack full of power. There's enough toko depth to offer up a few intriguing selection conundrums.
Nathaniel Roache is set to start at hooker for Aotearoa Warriors against Canberra Raiders and we've got some young forwards who not to embrace the 'sussing out period.
Martin Taupau's back at Leichardt Oval reppin' Manly Sea Eagles, Joseph Tapine's moved out to the edge for Canberra Raiders, Chase Stanley's a halfback and Isaac Liu continues to soar under the radar.
Anthony Milford and Fa'amanu Brown will have the play-making locked down, there's no shortage of big boppers to get Samoa down the field either. The World Cup's coming, so here's a quick geeze and some options for Samoa.
Petone's Jordan Kahu has re-signed with Brisbane Broncos, joining Kodi Nikorima and Alex Glenn in giving us a #KiwiNRL trio of Broncos locked up mid-long-term.
There's a fair bit of sillyness floating around about the Warriors, most notably their pursuit of a playing who has built his career on doing exactly what the Warriors require.
A 20-year-old on one edge and an 18-year-old on the other edge, 11 Warriors under the age of 25? Kick back, free of expectations and enjoy a tough trip away to Newcastle.
Isaac Liu is playing his role in a redonkulous middle forward rotation at the Roosters, Danny Levi's shining coming off the bench for Newcastle and we've got a Panthers vs Tigers #KiwiNRL feast.
David Kidwell doesn't want Benji Marshall, which is all good. Kidwell isn't really in a position to be so arrogant though.
Ben Matulino is putting himself in the frame to replace Jesse Bromwich for Aotearoa. Sio Siua Taukeiaho and a few others are also looking rather impressive as we continue to wind up the #KiwiNRL funk.
Cronulla Sharks were too slick for our Warriors - no surprises there. We now bid farewell to a four-game stretch against better teams and kia ora to a few games against teams below the Warriors on the ladder.
Konrad Hurrell has a bung hammy and won't be able to help Gold Coast Titans chase a Finals spot. Here's hoping the toko is good to go for Tonga come World Cup time.