One New Zealand Warriors links were prevalent in Saturday night's Pacific Championships clash between the Kangaroos in Christchurch.
The New Zealand lineup featured current Warriors Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Shaun Johnson in the halves with back rower Marata Niukore on the interchange while Warrior-in-waiting James Fisher-Harrisl again led the New Zealanders.
Ex-Warriors Peta Hiku and Isaiah Papali’i were in the starting side with another former teammate Kodi Nikorima on the bench. Named as 18th man was Erin Clark, who is returning to the Warriors after making his NRL debut with the club in 2017.
Included on Australia’s bench for his second Test was the One New Zealand Warriors’ 2024 player of the year Mitchell Barnett while the club's head of performance Balin Cupples is on the football staff.
Move to the Kiwis’ coaching staff and there are numerous connections with the Warriors.
They start with rugby league legend and debutant Kiwi head coach Stacey Jones while former Kiwi captain and Warrior Adam Blair is an assistant coach. Ex-Kiwi captain, Warriors player and head coach Stephen Kearney is on the staff in a culture and leadership position, former Warriors New South Wales Cup coach (and former Kiwi captain) Nathan Cayless is another assistant coach with ex-Warrior Kieran Foran and club legend - and ex-Kiwi skipper - Simon Mannering helping as player mentors. Kicking coach and ex-Kiwi Daryl Halligan has a long association in his kicking role with the Warriors.
The Kiwis’ wellbeing manager is former Warrior David Solomona and another old boy Motu Tony is connected with the team as the New Zealand Rugby League’s general manager football and high performance.
The Kiwis’ team manager is again Kiwis Ferns great Nadene Conlon (the Warriors’ NRLW academy manager) while Warriors physiotherapist Jed Smethurst is also on the football staff.
More Warriors links can be found in the Kiwi Ferns-Jillaroos women's international.
Ferns head coach Ricky Henry is a former Warriors NRL assistant coach and New South Wales Cup coach, captain Georgia Hale was a foundation member of the club's first NRLW side from 2018 through to 2020 and fullback Apii Nicholls was also in those teams (and is returning next year).
Prop Brianna Clark was in the Warriors' 2020 side and Jillaroos head coach Brad Donald guided the Warriors in 2020.
2024 NZ Kiwis | Player profiles
Erin Clark
(Gold Coast Titans)
Born: September 6, 1997
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Junior clubs: Manurewa Marlins, Point Chevalier Pirates (Auckland)
Position: Utility
Height: 180cm
Weight: 98kg
Clubs: One New Zealand Warriors (2017), Gold Coast Titans (2020-2024)
Kiwi number: Yet to make debut
Kiwi Test debut: Yet to make debut
Tests: 0
Test points: 0
NRL games: 95 (2017 & 2020-2024)
NRL points: 20 (5 tries)
Phoenix Crossland
(Newcastle Knights)
Born: July 7, 2000
Birthplace: Wellington, NZ
Position: Hooker/halfback
Height: 183cm
Weight: 86kg
Junior club: Erina Eagles (NSW)
Club: Newcastle Knights (2019-2024)
Kiwi number: Yet to make debut
Kiwi Test debut: Yet to make debut
Tests: 0
Test points: 0
NRL games: 84 (2019-2024)
NRL points: 42 (10 tries, 1 goal)
James Fisher-Harris
(Penrith Panthers)
Born: January 5, 1996
Birthplace: Rawene, NZ
Position: Prop
Height: 187cm
Weight: 103kg
Junior club: Marist Brothers (Whangarei)
Club: Penrith Panthers (2016-2024)
Kiwi number: 801
Kiwi Test debut: v Scotland, Workington, 2016
Tests: 15 for Kiwis (2016-2023)
Test points: 8 (2 tries)
NRL games: 203 (2016-2024)
NRL points: 64 (16 tries)
Peta Hiku
(Hull Kingston Rovers)
Born: December 4, 1992
Birthplace: Gisborne, NZ
Position: Centre
Height: 181cm
Weight: 94kg
Junior club: Manurewa Marlins (Auckland)
Clubs: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (2013-2015), Penrith Panthers (2016-2017), Warrington Wolves (2017), One New Zealand Warriors (2018-2021), North Queensland Cowboys (2022-2023), Hull Kingston Rovers (2024)
Kiwi number: 781
Kiwi Test debut: v Australia, Sydney, 2014
Tests: 17 for Kiwis (2014-2022)
Test points: 28 (7 tries)
NRL games: 201 (2013-2023)
NRL points: 246 (60 tries, 3 goals)
Super League games: 38 games (2017 & 2024)
Super League points: 140 (35 tries)
Jamayne Isaako
(Dolphins)
Born: June 6, 1996
Birthplace: Christchurch, NZ
Position: Wing
Height: 180cm
Weight: 95kg
Junior club: Aranui Eagles (Christchurch)
Clubs: Cronulla Sutherland Sharks (2014-2015), Brisbane Broncos (2016-2002), Gold Coast Titans (2022), Dolphins (2023-2024)
Kiwi number: 808
Kiwi Test debut: v England, Denver, 2018
Tests: 9 for Kiwis (2018-2019 & 2023), 1 for Toa Samoa (2019)
Test points: 89 (7 tries, 30 goals, 1 field goal)
NRL games: 136 (2017-2024)
NRL points: 1039 (63 tries, 391 goals, 5 field goals)
Shaun Johnson
(One New Zealand Warriors)
Born: September 9, 1990
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Position: Halfback
Height: 179cm
Weight: 91kg
Junior clubs: Hibiscus Coast Raiders, Northcote Tigers (Auckland)
Clubs: One New Zealand Warriors (2011-2018), Cronulla Sutherland Sharks (2019-2021), One New Zealand Warriors (2022-2024)
Kiwi number: 774
Kiwi Test debut: v Australia, Auckland, 2012
Tests: 32 for Kiwis (2012-2019)
Test points: 223 (14 tries, 83 goals, 1 field goal)
NRL games: 268 (2011-2024)
NRL points: 1476 (85 tries, 559 goals, 18 field goals)
Keano Kini
(Gold Coast Titans)
Born: April 14. 2004
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Position: Fullback
Height: 177cm
Weight: 83kg
Junior club: Northcote Tigers (Auckland)
Club: Gold Coast Titans (2023-2024)
Kiwi number: Yet to make debut
Kiwi Test debut: Yet to make debut
Tests: 0
Test points: 0
NRL games: 22 (2023-2024)
NRL points: 32 (6 tries, 4 goals)
Casey McLean
(Penrith Panthers)
Born: April 24, 2006
Birthplace: Blacktown, NSW
Position: Centre
Height: 187cm
Weight: 95kg
Junior club: Blacktown City Bears (Sydney)
Club: Penrith Panthers (2024)
Kiwi number: Yet to make debut
Kiwi Test debut: Yet to make debut
Tests: 0
Test points: 0
NRL games: 7 (2023)
NRL points: 12 (3 tries)
Griffin Neame
(North Queensland Cowboys)
Born: March 1, 2001
Birthplace: Greymouth, NZ
Position: Prop
Height: 193cm
Weight: 106kg
Junior clubs: Suburbs (Greymouth), Halswell Hornets (Christchurch)
Club: North Queensland Cowboys 2021-2024)
Kiwi number: 834
Kiwi Test debut: v Toa Samoa, Auckland, 2023
Tests: 3 for Kiwis (2023)
Test points: 4 (1 try)
NRL games: 69 (2021-2024)
NRL points: 24 (6 tries)
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
(One New Zealand Warriors)
Born: August 2, 1995
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Position: Fullback
Height: 182cm
Weight: 96kg
Junior clubs: City Newton Dragons (Auckland), Altona Roosters (Melbourne)
Club: One New Zealand Warriors (2017-2018), Canberra Raiders (2019-2022), One New Zealand Warriors (2023-2024)
Kiwi number: 820
Kiwi Test debut: v Australia, Wollongong, 2019
Tests: 10 for Kiwis (2019 & 2022-2023), 3 for Cook Islands (2015-2017)
Test points: 8 (2 tries)
NRL games: 113 (2017-2024)
NRL points: 172 (43 tries)
Kodi Nikorima
(Dolphins)
Born: April 3, 1994
Birthplace: Palmerston North, NZ
Position: Halfback
Height: 174cm
Weight: 82kg
Junior clubs: Burnham Chevaliers, Hornby Panthers, Halswell Hornets, Linwood Keas (Christchurch); Aspley Devils (Brisbane)
Club: Brisbane Broncos (2015-2019), One New Zealand Warriors (2019-2022), South Sydney Rabbitohs (2022), Dolphins (2023-2024)
Kiwi number: 793
Kiwi Test debut: v England, Hull, 2015
Tests: 15 for Kiwis (2015-2019)
Test points: 8 (2 tries)
NRL games: 202 (2015-2024)
NRL points: 303 (40 tries, 71 goals, 1 field goal)
Marata Niukore
(One New Zealand Warriors)
Born: July 29, 1996
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Position: Second row
Height: 188cm
Weight: 106kg
Junior club: Mangere East Hawks (Auckland)
Clubs: Parramatta Eels (2018-2022), One New Zealand Warriors (2023-2024)
Kiwi number: 825
Kiwi Test debut: v Tonga, Auckland, 2022
Tests: 3 Tests for Kiwis (2022), 3 for Cook Islands (2017-2019)
Test points: 8 (2 tries)
NRL games: 132 (2018-2024)
NRL points: 56 (14 tries)
Isaiah Papali'i
(Wests Tigers)
Born: September 20, 1998
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Position: Second row
Height: 182cm
Weight: 111kg
Junior clubs: Te Atatu Roosters, Richmond Rovers (Auckland)
Clubs: One New Zealand Warriors (2017-2020), Parramatta Eels (2021-2022), Wests Tigers (2023-2024)
Kiwi number: 817
Kiwi Test debut: v England, Leeds, 2018
Tests: 10 for Kiwis (2018-2024), 1 for Toa Samoa (2018)
Test points: 10 (2 tries, 1 goal)
NRL games: 155 (2017-2024)
NRL points: 124 (31 tries)
Jordan Riki
(Brisbane Broncos)
Born: January 18, 2000
Birthplace: Adelaide, South Australia
Position: Second row
Height: 190cm
Weight: 105kg
Junior clubs: Riccarton Knights, Hornby Panthers (Christchurch)
Club: Brisbane Broncos (2020-2024)
Kiwi number: Yet to make debut
Kiwi Test debut: Yet to make debut
Tests: 0
Test points: 0
NRL games: 89 (2020-2024)
NRL points: 72 (18 tries)
Scott Sorensen
(Penrith Panthers)
Born: March 16, 1993
Birthplace: Sydney, Australia
Position: Second row
Height: 183cm
Weight: 100kg
Junior club: Cronulla-Caringbah Sharks (Sydney)
Clubs: Cronulla Sutherland Sharks (2014), Canberra Raiders (2017), Cronulla Sutherland Sharks (2018-2020), Penrith Panthers (2021-2024)
Kiwi number: 831
Kiwi Test debut: v Jamaica, Hull, 2022
Tests: 1 for Kiwis (2022)
Test points: 0
NRL games: 121 (2014-2024)
NRL points: 44 (11 tries)
Joseph Tapine
(Canberra Raiders)
Born: May 4, 1994
Birthplace: Wellington, NZ
Position: Prop, loose forward
Height: 189cm
Weight: 106kg
Junior club: Harbour City Eagles (Wellington)
Clubs: Newcastle Knights (2014-2015), Canberra Raiders (2016-2024)
Kiwi number: 800
Kiwi Test debut: v Scotland, Workington, 2016
Tests: 19 for Kiwis (2016-2024)
Test points: 8 (2 tries)
NRL games: 213 (2014-2024)
NRL points: 100 (25 tries)
Leo Thompson
(Newcastle Knights)
Born: May 28, 2000
Birthplace: Gisborne, NZ
Position: Prop
Height: 186cm
Weight: 107kg
Junior club: Napier Marist rugby union (Hawke’s Bay)
Club: Newcastle Knights (2022-2024)
Kiwi number: 833
Kiwi Test debut: v Toa Samoa, Auckland
Tests: 3 for Kiwis (2023)
Test points: 0
NRL games: 64 (2022-2024)
NRL points: 8 (2 tries)
Matt Timoko
(Canberra Raiders)
Born: January 18, 2000
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Position: Centre
Height: 183cm
Weight: 96kg
Junior club: Ellerslie Eagles (Auckland)
Club: Canberra Raiders (2020-2024)
Kiwi number: 832
Kiwi Test debut: v Toa Samoa, Auckland, 2023
Tests: 3 for Kiwis (2023)
Test points: 4 (1 try)
NRL games: 86 (2020-2024)
NRL points: 96 (24 tries)
Trent Toelau
(Penrith Panthers)
Born: November 12, 1999
Birthplace: Melbourne, Victoria
Position: Hooker
Height:180cm
Weight: 87KG
Junior club: Doveton Steelers (Melbourne)
Club: Penrith Panthers (2024)
Kiwi number: Yet to make debut
Kiwi Test debut: Yet to make debut
Tests: 0
Test points: 0
NRL games: 9 (2024)
NRL points: 4 (1 try)
William Warbrick
(Melbourne Storm)
Born: March 6, 1998
Birthplace: Whakatane, NZ
Position: Wing
Height: 193cm
Weight: 105kg
Junior club: Ngongotaha Chiefs (Bay of Plenty)
Club: Melbourne Storm (2023-2024)
Kiwi number: Yet to make debut
Kiwi Test debut: Yet to make debut
Tests: 0
Test points: 0
NRL games: 49 (2023-2024)
NRL points: 128 (32 tries)
Naufahu Whyte
(Sydney Roosters)
Born: April 4, 2002
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Position: Prop
Height: 192cm
Weight: 106kg
Junior club: Bay Roskill Vikings (Auckland)
Club: Sydney Roosters (2021-2024)
Kiwi number: Yet to make debut
Kiwi Test debut: Yet to make debut
Tests: 0
Test points: 0
NRL games: 34 (2021-2024)
NRL points: 4 (1 try)
