Two more teams have been knocked out of the 2018 NRL Finals, with both Penrith Panthers and St George Illawara Dragons relying heavily on their #KiwiNRL players in their losses over the weekend as well as throughout the season.
One team in the Women's NRL Premiership is undefeated and while Brisbane Broncos may not have as much #KiwiNRL flavour as Aotearoa Warriors, the Broncos boast the biggest wahine crew of the three Australian clubs.
There wasn't much to remember about Aotearoa's 2017 World Cup campaign, other than Roger Tuivasa-Sheck continuing his climb towards his true potential.
Before cracking into the team lists for this weekend's second round of NRL Finals footy for the lads and the second round of Women's NRL, a few #KiwiNRL young guns slipped into the Rugby League Player's Association Dream Team at the RLPA Awards last night.
Two teams have been knocked out of the 2018 NRL Finals, with Brisbane Broncos and Aotearoa Warriors losing their Elimination Finals in similar circumstance.
As hard as Aotearoa Warriors tried, as much as their attitude and effort was at the level required of Finals footy, the execution was not in the loss to Penrith Panthers.
Two games between Aotearoa Warriors and Penrith Panthers this season; one almighty win for Penrith at home and a slick win for the Warriors at Mt Smart
Brandon Smith is back on the bench for Melbourne Storm, Jordan Pereira’s fabulous 2018 continues for the Dragons and we’ve got the #KiwiNRL wahine ready for their first game.
The 2018 NRL season has finished for eight teams and while the focus now switches to Finals footy, this week's #KiwiNRL Notebook is all about those who are now chillin'.
With mad respect to the Denver Test, a Kiwis wider squad in September is far more representative of kiwi rugby league.
Saviour the moment folks; it's Monday, September 3rd 2018 and Aotearoa Warriors are back in Finals footy with an Elimination Final against Penrith Panthers at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
Weeks after David Fusitu'a was snapped up on a long-term deal, Ken Maumalo has signed on to stay at Aotearoa Warriors until 2022.
The last round of NRL regular season footy features a mind-boggling amount of scenarios for Aotearoa Warriors, shiver me timbers it's Simon Mannering's 300th game as well.
The lure of the All Blacks is strong. We know that, it's that lure of being an All Black that allows Aotearoa to keep it's best rugby talent in Aotearoa for long enough to maintain their exceptional standards.
Kodi Nikorima and Te Maire Martin are in a low key battle against each other and Benji Marshall for a Kiwis halves spot, Ofahiki Ogden’s up against a ruthless Sharks forward pack and Esan Marsters will line up against Greg Inglis.
Aotearoa Kiwis coach Michael Maguire may be sniffing around various NRL head coaching jobs, he's still got a major focus on Kiwis rugby league and injuries to top-tier Kiwis Joseph Tapine and Dean Whare will be testing that focus over the coming weeks. I'll also touch on a rampant Bulldogs #KiwiNRL crew as well as Leeson Ah Mau's low key steadiness as the Dragons lose the plot.
After stumbling to make any progress, it appears as though we will be treated to more Tongan rugby league after the NRL season.
As Aotearoa Warriors defeated Penrith Panthers, sealing their first NRL Finals appearance since 2011 when the made the Grand Final, more confusion about team selection and combinations appeared.
However you want to slice this pie, Aotearoa Warriors win over Penrith Panthers was a fairly breezy 80 minutes of footy for the Mt Smart grim reapers.
Aotearoa Warriors plan of flying under the radar is live and in full effect as they host Penrith Panthers at Mt Smart on Friday night, sans Blake Green.