New Zealand has reinforced its bid to convince a new generation of Australian-based rugby league talent to commit to the Kiwis rather than the Kangaroos.
Kiwis players and management took time out from preparing for Friday's Anzac Test against Australia in Melbourne, to meet with 30 young players with links to New Zealand.
Many of them have the choice of taking representative pathways with New Zealand rugby league or through the Australian system because they were either born in Australia or spent a significant length of time in the country.
Kiwis captain Benji Marshall, who finished his schooling on the Gold Coast and vice-captain Adam Blair were among those on hand to help the teenagers identify with their New Zealand heritage.
Two of the curent Kiwi squad preparing to play the Kangaroos were born in Sydney -- uncapped second rower Zeb Taia and wing Jason Nightingale.
The Kangaroos have fielded Auckland-born former internationals Karmichael Hunt and Willie Mason in recent years.