Kiwis in the NRL finals
Most New Zealand rugby league eyes will be on the Warriors tomorrow night as the first week of the NRL finals kicks off.
But the Kiwi connection in the top eight doesn’t end there. The Storm, Broncos, Roosters and Panthers all have a liberal sprinkling of Kiwis.
Outside the Warriors, who contributed nine, Kiwis coach Michael Maguire named 17 players from the other NRL top-eight sides this week in his wider training squad for the October 13 test against the Kangaroos.
We scan the rosters of the other seven teams for the Kiwis who could shine in the finals series:
BRISBANE BRONCOS
Kiwi connection: Jamayne Isaako, Jordan Kahu, Kodi Nikorima, Alex Glenn.
One to watch: Jamayne Isaako
Isaako was born in Christchurch, playing his junior league for the Aranui Eagles but also rugby where he faced the likes of All Black Anton Lienert-brown. In an interview last month the 22-year-old quite openly stated he’d love a crack at the All Blacks down the line.
For now he’s starring for the Broncos on the wing as the NRL’S leading pointscorer with 233, five ahead of the Roosters’ Latrell Mitchell. Isaako has appeared in 24 of the Broncos’ 25 matches this season and scored 11 tries. Warriors fans will be familiar with the winger after he scored a double against the Kiwi team in a 27-18 win for the Broncos in round six.
CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Kiwi connection: Sosaia Feki, Ava Seumanufagai.
One to watch: Sosaia Feki
Feki was born in Auckland, playing for the Junior Kiwis before making two appearances for Tonga. Feki finished as the Sharks’ top tryscorer in the 2014 season and was selected for the Kiwis 24-man squad, but didn’t play a match.
He notched seven tries and two assists from 13 appearances this season. At 27, he will be looking to prove to the Sharks he’s still got plenty left in the tank, as well as to Maguire who included him in the Kiwis wider squad.
MELBOURNE STORM
Kiwi connection: Nelson Asofasolomona, Jesse Bromwich, Kenneath Bromwich, Jahrome Hughes, Sam Kasiano, Brandon Smith.
One to watch: Jahrome Hughes
Hughes was born and raised in Wellington but moved to the Gold Coast in 2008. Before his move to the Storm, he had more clubs than NRL games making just two appearances over four years with the Titans and Cowboys.
Hughes, known for his pace, had arguably his best performance against the Dragons this season in a 52-30 win in round 17, starring with 209 metres and a try.
PENRITH PANTHERS
Kiwi connection: James Fisherharris, Corey Harawira-naera, Sione Katoa, Moses Leota, Dallin Watenezelezniak, Dean Whare.
One to watch: Moses Leota Leota was born in Auckland, but raised in Penrith. In a 2015 NYC squad that included Nathan Cleary, Leota came away with the NYC Player of the Year title.
Look out for the uncompromising prop to come off the bench. The Panthers have won in every game he has scored in this season. Leota also showed his softer side after the Panthers’ loss in Auckland last month, in a Twitter video surprising his emotional mum with the keys to a new car.
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Kiwi connection: Hymel Hunt One to watch: Hymel Hunt
The Rabbitohs are the only topeight side not to have a player in the Kiwis wider squad, but Auckland-born, Queensland-rasied Hunt is doing all the right things. His cousins Karmichael Hunt and Kirisome Auva’a are both former NRL players.
Battling against Australian stars Greg Inglis and Dane Gagai for a starting spot in the centres, Hunt still made 18 appearances this season scoring seven tries. Hunt was named on the bench to face the Storm tonight.
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Kiwi connection: Leeson Ah Mau, Jordan Pereira.
One to watch: Leeson Ah Mau
Ah Mau, born in Auckland, made his NRL debut in 2009 for the NZ Warriors. Since then he has played 139 games for the Dragons over seven seasons, being named their player of the season in 2015.
Au Mau’s only appearance for the Kiwis came against England this year, and he retained his spot in the wider squad named this week.
The prop is in arguably his career best season, with a successful tackle percentage of 95 per cent, and will return to the Warriors next year.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Kiwi connection: Isaac Liu, Joseph Manu, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Jared Waerea-hargreaves.
One to watch: Joseph Manu Manu was born in Hamilton but raised in Tokoroa. In 2014, he represented Australia in an under 19’s nines tournament at the Commonwealth Games. However, in 2015, he played for the Junior Kiwis against the Junior Kangaroos.
The young centre, 22, notched up six tries and eight assists from 23 appearances for the minor premiers this season to earn a spot in the Kiwis squad. He will join Latrell Mitchell in the centres for the big clash against the Sharks tomorrow.