blogging it real

After a few hours of painstaking research this is what I have come up with. It doesn't include the Warriors who I can get to later. They have 25 eligible 'NZers'. There are eight Australians in their team including Richard Villasanti who has declared his allegiance to Australia.

I've split it by teams. Basically their are two categories. One is players who have, or can represent New Zealand and the other is players I'm not totally sure about (+). Place of birth and (junior clubs) are stated where known. It's a bit of a spot the honky game.

It's also worth noting that not all of them have come into the test frame so there may be a few who are eligible to play for Australia and would choose to do so.

I count at least 40 who are eligible simply because of birth place or the fact that they have already represented New Zealand. Add that to the 25 at the Warriors and you have a total of 65. Also there are five I'm not sure about so potentially there are up to 70 eligible New Zealanders in NRL teams!

Broncos(o)

Bulldogs (6)
Roy Asotasi b.Auckland (Marist)
Jamaal Lolesi b.Auckland (Aust. junior club)
Hutch Maiava b.Auckland (Mangere East)
Reni Matua b.New Zealand
Matthew Utai b.Auckland (Aust. jc)
Sonny Bill Williams b.Auckland (Marist)

Cowboys (3)
Paul Rauhihi b.Porirua (St George/ Wellington)
David Faiumu (Randwick & Wainuiomata/ Wellington)
Hale Vaasa (Otara & Mt Albert)

Dragons (3)
Henry Perenara b.Auckland (New Lynn)
Edwin Asotasi b.Auckland
Stacey Katu b.Wellington (North City Vikings)

Eels (5)
Nathan Cayliss b.Sydney (Aust. jc) but has played tests for NZ
Fuifui Moimoi (Mt Albert)
David Vaealiki b.Christchurch (Sydenham)
Aaron Cannings b.Auckland (Aust. jc)

Knights (1)
George Carmont (Otahuhu)

Panthers (5?)
Joe Guluvao b.Auckland (Manurewa)
Frank Puletua b.Auckland (Aust. jc)
Tony Puletua b.Auckland (Aust. jc)
Paul Whatuira b.Wellington (Wainuiomata)
(+) Frank Pritchard b.Aust but has represented NZ & NSW at youth levels

Rabbitohs (4)
Davis Faalogo b.New Zealand (Mt Albert)
Mark Leafa b.New Zealand
Filimone Lolohea b.Auckland (Ellerslie Eagles)
Mark Meredith (Aust. jc) but has represented the Junior Kiwis

Raiders (2)
Tyran Smith b.Auckland (Aust. jc)
Ruben Wiki b.Auckland (Otahuhu)

Roosters (1)
Jason Cayless b.Sydney (Aust. jc) but has played tests for NZ

Sea Eagles (2)
Kylie Leuluai b.Auckland (Papatoetoe Panthers)
Dallas Rennie b.Wanganini (Suburbs/ West Coast NZ)

Sharks (3)
Andrew Lomu b.Sydney (Aust. jc) but has played a test for NZ
Nigel Vagana b. Auckland (Richmond)
Jason Williams b. Auckland (Marist Richmond)

Storm (7?)
Alex Chan b.Auckland (Taupo Hawks, Taupo Broncos)
Stephen Kearney b.Paraparaumu (Kapiti)
David Kidwell b.Christchurch (Hornby Panthers)
Robert Tanielu b. Christchurch (Sydenham)
Glen Turner b.Christchurch (Linwood)
(+) Fifita Moala b.Tonga (went to Kelston Boys High)
(+) Antonio Kaufusi b.Tonga (but his idol was Zinzan Brooke hmmmmm)

Tigers (4?)
Benji Marshall b.Whakatane (Aust. jc)
Dene Halatau b.Invercargill (School and junior football in Aust.)
(+) Bronson Harrison b.Auckland (school in Aust., also represented Queensland and Aust Schoolboys)
(+) Gray Viane b.Auckland (Junior Kiwis but also represented NSW Under 19s)

Others worth mentioning
Tony Carroll (Broncos) has played tests for NZ but wanted to play state of origin so quit NZ test side.
Karmichael Hunt (Broncos) born in Auckland but has stated he is too young for test football and wants to play for Queensland and Australia??? Not sure there.
Willie Mason (Bulldogs) born in Auckland but wanted to play for Australia
Solomon Haumono (Sea Eagles) born in Auckland but played origin in the late 90s

*Also Motu Tony and Ali Lauitiiti have both left for England in the course of the season.

One day I may even elaborate on who has actually debuted in the first grade teams. Pretty much all of the above players have made it on to the field either regularly or just recently though.

But do not ask me to do the Super League in England!