Tokoroa's Joseph Manu and Wellington's Joseph Tapine were the two best players on the field in the Raiders win over Roosters. Both are experienced in cold footy conditions back in Aotearoa and setting the vibe for Aotearoa Kiwis footy.
When the dingoes are away, Aotearoa Kiwi-NRL mahi rises like an east coast sunrise.
11 rounds of Kiwi-NRL footy are tucked away and this means that 11 weeks of Kiwi-NRL spotlights have been served up.
Aotearoa Warriors face St George Illawara Dragons for the second time this season and as Dragons snared the victory in round tahi, Warriors will be eager to stamp their authority on the bottom eight.
The 2022 NRL season has been a grind for Canberra Raiders and as niggly as their 4-6 campaign has been so far, the steady mahi of Matthew Timoko is a funky Kiwi-NRL wrinkle.
Having risen through Rotorua's thriving rugby union and league community, Hayze Perham is now stacking up Kiwi-NRL starts with Parramatta Eels.
Aotearoa Warriors have jumped up a spot on the NRL ladder to now sit 10th, one spot behind their opponent this week South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Since making his NRL debut for Newcastle Knights in 2014, Joseph Tapine (Harbour City) has been one of the best forwards in the NRL.
With no expectations to cloud this view, Aotearoa Warriors are sitting comfy in their fringe-finals abode they know so well and now face the trendy Cronulla Sharks.
Penrith Panthers and Melbourne Storm are perched at the top of the NRL ladder with notable Kiwi-NRL players churning out winning mahi.
Christian Tuipulotu commanded plenty of Kiwi-NRL recruitment buzz while enjoying his grassroots footy in Auckland and recent performances for Manly Sea Eagles suggest that the Otahuhu junior is settling into his groove.
Seven games into the NRL season and Aotearoa Warriors are right where this diary pondered they would be.
After being recruited and developed by Newcastle Knights, Mt Wellington Warriors junior Starford To'a took up a summer move to Wests Tigers where he linked up with Aotearoa Kiwis coach Michael Maguire.
Brisbane Broncos bolstered their Kiwi-NRL stocks this summer by bringing in Te Maire Martin on a development contract and by round seven the hearty Waikato product was promoted to start at fullback against Bulldogs.
Having floated through a trio of easier NRL encounters, Aotearoa Warriors are now in a gritty stretch of games against Roosters and Storm.
Brisbane Broncos hold a hearty Kiwi-NRL vibe and Christchurch's Jordan Riki continues to establish himself as a steady edge forward.
Kawerau’s Will Warbrick falls into divine alignment with Melbourne Storm's Kiwi-NRL vibe.
No fuss, just five Aotearoa Warriors things to ponder.
Manly Sea Eagles are 3-2 to start this season and while Aussies tripped over the absence of Tom Trbojevic, the return of Josh Aloiai (Glenora) has been a crucial Kiwi-NRL wrinkle.
Aotearoa wahine rugby league will be on display in the NRLWahine Grand Final on Sunday, with Dragons and Roosters featuring a variety of Kiwi-NRL wahine.