Newcastle Knights are in the midst of a wee NRL slump and with plenty of Kiwi-NRL talent recruited from Aotearoa waiting for a crack, this isn't the worst case scenario.
For Aotearoa Warriors to really bask in their fringe top-eight NRL glory, wins against teams in a similar spot and teams beneath the Warriors are mandatory.
The last four weeks of Aotearoa Warriors footy have been a whirlwind and while it looked like a slightly easier patch of NRL footy earlier in the season, the rise of Manly Sea Eagles and a hearty North Queensland Cowboys team ensured that this was a tough run of games for the Mt Smarters.
This week's Monday Morning Dummy Half rolls through a few Kiwi-NRL deep cuts and they don't get much deeper than Canberra Raiders fullback Caleb Aekins finally enjoying a win.
If the Aotearoa Warriors Diary tickles your toes, you'll be comfy in the knowledge that we are dealing with a middle of the pack NRL team.
No offence or kaka thrown towards Aotearoa Warriors here, this is merely an exercise to help understand the Kiwi-NRL takeover with a squad of Aotearoa Kiwis featuring no Warriors.
As the Kiwi-NRL stocks grow the centre position is enjoying a rejuvenation and while Joseph Manu still sits on his perch as the best Aotearoa Kiwis centre in the NRL, two former Bulldogs have leap-frogged recent Aotearoa Kiwis centres.
Eight games down in the 2021 NRL season and Aotearoa Warriors are 7th, with a 4-4 record.
After eight rounds of NRL footy, it’s time for a Kiwi-NRL Takeover Update and that’s extra juicy as Benji Marshall became the most capped NRL player from Aotearoa while the Kiwi-NRL debuts keep on coming.
In the midst of 2020 shenanigans, Parramatta Eels were already one of the funkier Kiwi-NRL teams.
I don't believe Aotearoa Warriors are in the same realm as the other 40+ point Storm victims in Brisbane Broncos and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, yet a weakened Warriors outfit were swiftly blown away in by the forces of Ranginui
At the top of the NRL ladder sit the best Kiwi-NRL player of 2021 in James Fisher-Harris, along with a trio of Aotearoa halves in Dylan Brown, Benji Marshall and Jahrome Hughes.
Anzac Day delivers the annual Aotearoa Warriors vs Melbourne Storm clash and in keeping with the Warriors vs Storm rivalry - who knows how this game will play out.
In six rounds of NRL footy, Aotearoa Warriors have managed to pick themselves up after losses and bounce back.
Back in 2012, Whangarei Intermediate won the first Rugby League Nines tournament played at the AIMS Games with Dylan Brown, Paul Turner and Wiremu Greig in their team.
After a narrow loss to Manly Sea Eagles, the 'slightly easier' patch of games for New Zealand Warriors has become the autumn slog.
Sydney Roosters have the lost their starting halfback and promoted the hottest prospect of recent memory in Sam Walker, all while their Kiwi-NRL forwards maintain Roosters excellence in their leadership and mahi.
Having been out-classed by Sydney Roosters last weekend, Aotearoa Warriors sit 2-2 after four games and their standing depends on your outlook.
With North Queensland Cowboys taking a dip in their Kiwi-NRL funk, Parramatta Eels are on the rise as a notable Kiwi-NRL club.
Three games into the 2021 NRL season and all three Aotearoa Warriors games have been fun to watch.