Auckland-born Penrith forward Spencer Leniu seems to have escaped concussion and has been named for the defending champions in Sunday's NRL Grand Final.
Leniu scored a try, but also left the field twice for head checks during last week's semi-final win over South Sydney - the second came after he was lowered in a high tackle by Rabbitohs winger Taane Milne, who was red-carded for the offence.
The second-rower will come off the bench, and is one of several players with Kiwi connections named for the Panthers or Parramatta Eels in the season climax at Sydney's Accor Stadium.
Eight players were born in New Zealand, before moving to Australia, while several others claim NZ heritage or spent some of their formative years on this side of the Tasman. Five have played for NZ Kiwis, with a couple more named in the wider squad for next month's Rugby League World Cup.
Penrith Panthers
Stephen Crichton - Born in Apia, but spent time in New Zealand as an infant, before his family moved to Sydney.
Jarome Luai - Born in Sydney, represents Samoa internationally, but has Māori (Tainui) descent and played for Māori All Stars.
Nathan Cleary - Born in Sydney, but spent much of his childhood in Auckland, where dad Ivan played for and coached NZ Warriors.
Moses Leota - Born in Auckland, and represented both Samoa and New Zealand internationally. Debuted for the Kiwis against Mate Ma'a Tonga in June.
James Fisher-Harris - Born in Kohukohu, Northland, debuted for the Kiwis in 2016 and has since played seven tests for New Zealand.
Scott Sorenson - Born in Sydney, but has NZ heritage. Uncles Dane and Kurt Sorenson are both Kiwis legends, and Scott has been named in the Kiwis World Cup squad.
Spencier Leniu - Born in Auckland, but debuted for Samoa in June.
Parramatta Eels
Bailey Simonsson - Born in New South Wales, with Māori heritage. Represented All Blacks Sevens, before switching to league, where he has played for Māori All Stars and is included in the wider Kiwis World Cup squad.
Dylan Brown - Born in Auckland and grew up in Whangārei. Debuted for the Kiwis against Tonga in June.
Junior Paulo - Born in Auckland, but represents New South Wales in State of Origin and Samoa internationally.
Isaiah Papali'i - Born in Auckland and played 63 games for NZ Warriors, before moving to Parramatta. Has represented both Samoa and New Zealand internationally.
Oregon Kaufusi - Born in Auckland, with both Samoan and Tongan heritage.
Marata Niukore - Born in Auckland and began his NRL career in the Warriors junior programme, before moving across the Tasman. Debuted for the Kiwis in June, after representing Cook Islands previously, and will return to the Warriors next year.
Join us at 9:30pm Sunday for live updates of the Penrith Panthers v Parramatta Eels NRL Grand Final
